Despite being on top for the majority of their first Premier League outing at Wembley, Tottenham fell to a late defeat against champions Chelsea. Marcos Alonso scored twice to give the visitors all three points in the first London derby of the season, but how did Spurs do individually?
Hugo Lloris, 5
Could do nothing about Alonso’s stunning free-kick, but he had to do better with the winner, which somehow went past the Frenchman at his near post.
Kieran Trippier, 6
Put two impressive deliveries in but overall his crossing was inconsistent. Defended reasonably well apart from one piece of miscommunication with Alderweireld that led to Morata’s early chance.
Toby Alderweireld, 6
Outpaced by Morata on one occasion but it came to nothing. Looked comfortable for the most part except for the mishap involving Trippier (see above).
Jan Vertonghen, 6
Perhaps could have distributed the ball more quickly. More than once he seemed to take an extra touch before releasing the ball. Dealt with Chelsea’s rare attacking threat when needed.
Ben Davies, 6
Had a couple of decent shots just before half-time and looked confident going forward. Was a tad safe with his passing when sometimes a cross would have been the better choice.
Eric Dier, 5
Played in a deep midfield three. Slowed things down too often and produced a couple of underwhelming crosses just before he was substituted with 25 minutes to go.
Victor Wanyama, 4
Looked completely off the pace, possibly because of a lack of pre-season minutes. Gave the ball away for the winner and was sloppy and slow throughout.
Mousa Dembele, 7
Was dispossessed a few times in the first half but it was a result of being a bit braver than usual. Roamed forward regularly and was far more threatening than his fellow midfielders.
Christian Eriksen, 7
Found room in the final third to dictate attacks and make Spurs tick. Created the goal with a whipped free-kick and linked up well with Kane.
Dele Alli, 5
Gave away the free-kick that led to Chelsea’s first goal. Wasn’t very incisive with his passing and didn’t get in dangerous positions often enough to provide a goal threat.
Harry Kane, 7
Did everything but score, hitting the post and missing a good opportunity from a corner. Held the ball up brilliantly and constantly drove forward. Unlucky to be on the losing side.
Substitutes
Heung-Min Son, 6
Made some good runs in behind but, like others, could have been more decisive in releasing the ball.
Moussa Sissoko, N/A
Wasn’t heavily involved in a 14-minute cameo.
Vincent Janssen, N/A
I don’t recall the stoppage time substitute touching the ball.
Yes, Wanyama was not at the races at all, which is why I was shocked when Dier, and not W, was taken off.
Dier must have been cheesed off. He wasn’t that great himself, but he should have taken W’s place in what is his (Dier’s) best position. So a big Poch mistake there. The other thing I noticed, and which Jenas referred to on MOD, is that when we play 3-5-3 we need strong wing backs running the flanks, and while we had them in Rose and Walker (some of our best team performances with 3-5-3 last season) we don’t have those weapons in Trippier and Davies.
They are both fine consistent full backs, and as good, if not better, than Rose and Walker in some defensive respects, but they’re not great wing backs in Poch’s alternative system. Chelsea, like the Wembley semi some months back, were smarter than us, and Poch was outsmarted too. Yes, of course we were unlucky again (they really are a hoodoo team for us at Wembley) and although I have no fears that we’ll beat most teams this season, we needed to be braver on the flanks today, or revert to 4-4-1-1 with Dier pushed up in his favoured position. There are many games that will suit Wanyama as a DM. But today, his overall play, the lack of push on the flanks, and that one Lloris error, ruined so much that was excellent about our fine Tottenham side.
Dier won’t get a look-in if Sanchez is as good as his reports.
This game shows we still are far behind the top teams. CFC not with their best team allowed us to play the ball squere at the back and had solid defense behind us. They have the ability to score which they did from a silly free kick from dangerous spot. No need for this free kick. After the goal they fell further back and allowed us to have the ball. We don’t have enough creative players on the field. 0-1 down and you keep Dier and Wanyama on the course. Big mistake. CFC kept Eriksen under control and Alli did not have a good game. MD was doing to much on his own and the build up was slow and predictable. This is how Spurs play. CFC was only going to hit us on the counter and almost made it 0-2 few times. After the own goal they opened up in search of a winner. Wanyama made a childish mistake missing the ball in the middle and not following his man. This happens too often when Spurs is playing the top teams. Spurs was never going to win it after 1-1. If the game had a win we it was CFC. They know the winning feeling, have a little luck and wanted it more. This is what Spurs is missing and we most likely have to buy this feeling. We still have time and we need someone in midfield and attacking player which can give us 15 goals. This is going to cost money but they have to be proven champions and bring in this winning feeling and a little luck. If not we will never be Champions.
For all of the negative chat, the reality was that Spurs played a great game and dominated for 90 % of it. The filed had nothing to do with the result that is just media BS. And if we play like we did today we will have a fantastic home record. Truth be told if you switched the goalies today Spurs win 4-1. Chelsea had TWO yes TWO shots on target and 2 goals. The free kick goal was a decent strike but LLoris was two feet out of position and arguably could have stopped it. The second goal was a howler, shocking.
– We had 14 Corners- they had 4
– 67% possession and for all of this rubbish about side ways and backwards we had
– 18 attempts on goal and Courtois saved 6 times . Chelsea had 9 attempts 2 on target and LLoris saved 0
Stats showed that we were better of the two teams , but still lost to these muppets ,, they only had 2 shots on target and scored with both shots , sickner. As for Wanyama , lost count of the number of sloppy balls he was giving away in the first half and was a fault for there 2nd goal , through lack of concentration lost the ball. Overall good display by Spurs ,, but a lot of times slow build up allowing Chelsea to get back and defend, Was surprised that Wanyama was taken off instead of Dier ….
For me Wanyama was our most reliable and consistent player last term. Never failed to deliver. Against Chelsea he was off the pace, this probably due to injury throughout preseason. He will come good, mark my word. COYS
The fact that we played an unfit wanyama rather than play winks says it all about playing at Wembley,it’s like everyone’s written off the the season already no wonder players want to leave,
It is the tactic Chelsea played which makes the difference. The stats do only tell a small story but Chelsea did not allow us much and 2 shots 2 goals. That is championship material and this is missing at Spurs. Until we get this winning feeling and our players do 10% more we are going to be second best in the Champion League and the big games. United had this under Ferguson, Arsenal in the beginning wit AW, Chelsea has it now but this is missing at Spurs. I sure hope MP can bring this feeling with these players and then we have a good team. There are still few puzzles missing which we have to buy this month and then Spurs can go places. Then we can also play a game like Chelsea and sit back be patient and get result the hard way. There are at least 15 games each season we play a fighting game and the question is only who wants it more. These are the critical games which makes champions.