Stellini: Tottenham win because Antonio is the gaffer

Stellini again guided Spurs to a crucial victory – like against Marseille and Manchester City earlier this season – after second-half goals from Emerson Royal and Son Heung-min secured London derby bragging rights and sent them above Newcastle into fourth.

It ensured Tottenham ended a difficult week on a high after back-to-back defeats to Leicester and AC Milan had been followed by the news Conte was back off work after doctors ordered him to rest after he rushed his return following gallbladder surgery on February 1.

Conte was able to be involved during Sunday’s match to advise his coaching staff of tactical decisions via text as long-serving assistant Stellini made it six wins from six when deputising, having also clinched three victories during their time together at Inter Milan.

“This happened because Antonio is the gaffer, not because I am the gaffer,” Stellini said.

“I only follow the project of his work and the way he works is really clear.

“I am not expecting Antonio is back for Chelsea (next weekend) but I expect Antonio will be back the week after Chelsea. For Milan or Wolverhampton.

“We have also the game in the FA Cup (against Sheffield United) so maybe not Chelsea but we don’t know because if Antonio feels well and he can live some stress without some pain or feel something strange, Antonio will be back.”

Conte would have seen a trademark first-half display by Spurs from his Italian home with chances limited to a premium but it was his wing-backs who broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Ben Davies collected Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s pass and teed up Emerson for the opener.

It was then over to super-sub Son, who responded to being dropped for only the second time this season when fit with a slick finish from Harry Kane’s pass with 18 minutes left.

Son hit a hat-trick against Leicester when dropped in September but has only scored in five of his 31 appearances this campaign and Stellini revealed his place on the bench was due to a physical issue for last season’s joint-Premier League golden boot winner.

“We know that Sonny’s response would be perfect because Sonny is a perfect guy,” he added.

“But after the World Cup, sometimes it happens that the players are not fit 100 per cent. In that moment you have to take a decision and it is difficult with a player like Sonny to drop them, but you have to do it because we have a lot of matches.

“When he plays five games in a row, sometimes you can feel tired and you can feel something is not perfect. It is important for us that the player is mature enough to say this.

“Sonny in this case was perfect during the week but now we have time to manage him to play the next step with six games in 14 days.”