Chelsea's victory means that the team's unbeaten run now extends to 19 games in league and cup play.
Zecira Musovic guarded the goal for Chelsea and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd was replaced in the 80th minute.
Team captain Magdalena Eriksson sat on the bench the entire match.
Norway's Guro Reiten scored the match-winning goal in the 64th minute when she made it 3-1 from a free-kick after Sam Kerr headed the ball forward.
Solo goal by Lauren James
The performance of the match, however, came from Lauren James when she sprinted through the Tottenham defense and fired home 2-1 via the far post after 27 minutes of play.
Manchester United only drew 0–0 at home against Everton where defender Nathalie Björn played the whole match and Hanna Bennison was substituted in the 56th minute.
Chelsea lead the Super League on 31 points, two ahead of Manchester United and five ahead of Manchester City.
Jonas Eidevall's and Stina Blackstenius' Arsenal, the league's fourth-placed side playing on Sunday night, are six points behind but have two games less played.