Chelsea 2-1 SpursHome team scorersRodriguez Pedro 45
Victor Moses 51
Away team scorersChristian Eriksen 11
The team that are already developing an air of Antonio Conte’s Undroppables cruises on. After fielding the same team for the sixth successive (and successful) time, Chelsea’s revival continued as they saw off Tottenham, showing the mettle to muster a comeback after going a goal behind in the first half.
It was two of the players who have thrived most from the redesign, Pedro and Victor Moses, who supplied the goals to settle a riveting local tussle. After Manchester City and Liverpool had plundered points earlier in the day, nothing less than three would suffice to return to the top of the table.
For Tottenham, losing here to a long-term bogey team is nothing new, but what must hurt is that for a spell their performance showed them at their best, with a retuned appetite for the style that had them unbeaten in the Premier League until the winter chill had set in. History suggested that Stamford Bridge might be a test too far, and what felt like a week of reckoning duly delivered two heavyweight blows. After tumbling out of the Champions League in midweek, Mauricio Pochettino’s men were finally punctured in the league.
Keeping a semblance of self control was imperative and Tottenham began by exerting important authority in midfield, pegging Chelsea back, and keeping confident possession. Five minutes in Christian Eriksen’s free-kick was turned in by an offside Harry Kane. No goal. But a sure sign of their intent to take the game to their most dreaded bogey team.
Five minutes later they soared in front. Mousa Dembélé worked the ball up the left and the ball was moved via Dele Alli to Eriksen. The Dane saw a chink of goal to aim at. His thunderous shot was laced with curl and flew into the net. It was the first time Chelsea’s defence had been beaten in 600 minutes. It was an emphatic way for Eriksen to emerge from his quiet period and his overall game was full of the bright movement of someone glad to be on the ball.
Chelsea’s response? Antonio Conte looked exasperated as his team couldn’t get a foothold. The muscle in Tottenham’s midriff, with Dembélé and Wanyama patrolling in front of Eric Dier and Jan Vertonghen, proved a meaty barrier. Tottenham’s indefatigable work rate provided another layer, with Eriksen cropping up on the edge of his own box to help clear up, and Kane barrelling into wide positions to cut off supply lines.
David Luiz mustered Chelsea’s first shot just before the half hour mark, a whack of a free kick that Hugo Lloris caught comfortably. The keeper had no problems smothering an undercooked shot from Eden Hazard a few minutes later. But Tottenham’s dominance was enough that they continued to create strong chances. Efforts from Kyle Walker, Kane and Eriksen had the visitors wondering how they were not even further in front as half time approached.
What more devastating time for Chelsea to summon some inspiration. A minute before half time all Tottenham’s hard work was speared by a moment of glorious individual skill. Pedro picked up possession 20 yards out and wrong-footed the Tottenham defence with a touch that had a dash of Cruyff turn about it. The Spaniard bent his shot into the top corner with a flourish.
Off the hook after a pretty uncomfortable first 44 minutes, it was not hard to imagine Conte delivering some choice words at half time. Chelsea came out with enhanced determination. N’Golo Kanté advanced enough to whip in a shot, and then César Azpilicueta was a little too enthusiastic trying to win the ball from a prone Son.
Chelsea were soon in front. They pressed the ball off Tottenham and broke with intent. Hazard invited Costa to drive forwards. He capped a fine run with a killer pass to Moses, whose shot squirted off Lloris and Vertonghen en route to a Chelsea comeback celebration. The pendulum had swung. Chelsea’s energy levels suddenly made Tottenham look ponderous.
A third goal beckoned moments later as Moses and Costa again combined to cause unease in the visiting defence. Marcos Alonso’s chance arrived on a silver platter but the defender sent his gift into the crowd of the Matthew Harding Stand. Missed sitter aside, it spoke volumes about how the balance of the game shifted that both Chelsea’s wingbacks had so much more room to get involved.
A Tottenham break led by Kane and Eriksen brought some respite, but Chelsea’s second-half solidity was a far tougher nut to crack.
Conte’s Undroppables finished overjoyed. Tottenham’s hurt was palpable.
Guardian
