Chelsea stunned by solid Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur had won three of the last seven meetings against Chelsea coming into the game, which was the same number achieved in their previous 49. Fans were expectant ahead of the game despite facing Sarri's squad - still unbeaten across all competitions. 

Spurs were the better side from the outset, having the better of the early chances. A series of corners and an Eric Dier header had the 'Blues' on tenterhooks. 

Not long after, the home side took the lead. Harry Kane was brought down on the right flank, for Christian Eriksen to stand over the free-kick. The Danish international whipped in a cross towards the near post, which Dele Alli directed towards the far post past Kepa in the Chelsea goal, handing Mauricio Pochettino's side the advantage just eight minutes in.

They nearly doubled their advantage two minutes later, as Eriksen played Son in-behind the Chelsea defence with a delicate chipped through ball, only for the Korean to blaze his strike high and wide.

Chelsea felt hard-done by as Eden Hazard was brought down in the Spurs area and the referee denied shouts for a penalty, and their annoyance was felt once more as Harry Kane doubled Spurs' cushion. The England captain tried his luck from distance, catching Kepa out at his near post, finding the bottom-left corner. The Spanish goalkeeper will rue the mistake.

Chances fell unconverted by Willian and Morata, before a curling effort from Son almost found the top corner and a Harry Kane cross looked as if it would loop over Kepa. 

Spurs went into half-time two goals in front, awaiting a response from a frustrated Sarri and Chelsea. As expected, the 'Blues' came to have more of a hold on possession, yet struggled to make the domination of the ball count. 

In fact, Chelsea's poor defending was again highlighted as Pochettino's side added a third through Son Heung-min. Attacking on the counter, Dele Alli found the Korean on the right who in turn embarked on an impressive solo run, easily passing Jorginho and beating David Luiz before finishing past the €80m goalkeeper Kepa. 

From this point onwards, Chelsea looked completely deflated and almost conceded a fourth to Kane as he drove forward, beating a number of defenders. Sarri will not be pleased with his side's defensive showing. 

The West London side did, however, pull a goal back late on, through substitute Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman rose highest to meet Cesar Azpilicueta's 85th-minute cross, heading down past Lloris to wipe his compatriot's clean sheet. 

The scoreline showed 3-1 at full-time, though the truth of the matter is that it could have been more for Tottenham. The North London side face Inter in midweek in what will be a crucial Champions League match, while Chelsea's attention turns to the Europa League on Thursday. 

 

24 de noviembre de 2018