CHELSEA 2-2 TOTTENHAM
Chelsea goals: Koulibaly 19' (a: Cucurella), James 77' (a: Sterling)
Spurs goals: Hojbjerg 68' (a: Davies), Kane 90+6' (a: Perisic)
Subs: Azpi (for Jorginho 73'), Pulisic (for Sterling 84'), Gallagher (for Kante, injured, 85'), Broja (for Havertz, 90')
Wow.
First and foremost this was an amazing game to watch, it had so so much from all aspects, and it's going to take a lot of writing. Just pure, pure enjoyment.
I'm disappointed with the draw of course but the quality in our performance more than makes up for it, and we can just take the positives from this game and move forwards towards the next.
For the majority of the game we looked like we wanted it more, we were energetic and most importantly our press and off the ball work was unbelievable. I think the possession stats in the first half was 70-30 or something similar, demonstrating total dominance of the ball. It might have been a hot day which may affect energy levels, but it seems that didn't phase us one bit. I'd love for us to stick with this 3-4-3 / 4-2-2-2 interchangeable system as it worked wonders against this Spurs side.
Spurs had moments of attacking threat in the second threat, especially after they brought on Richarlison for his debut and moved into a 4-2-4 (something Conte wanted to try at Chelsea but couldn't accomplish.) While this did lead to a goal back for them, it meant they became vulnerable at the back playing a permanent back 4, and it meant we had space on the wings for chances, eventually leading to James' goal for 2-1. Our press didn't let up in the second half either and we had the same dominance seen in the first half.
My only gripe was that we could have been a lot more clinical at times, with all of this dominance I think we deserved more than 2 goals, and there were certainly several chances to kill the game off as early as the first 45 minutes.
GK + Defence:
James moved to RCB for this game to deal with the threat of Son in attack, and he did well in keeping him quiet for the game. There was a tactical foul and moves into midfield, or overlapping with the wing-back on attacking movements, and the Englishman picked up the Sky MOTM award, which was nice to see. He also grabbed a great goal later in the second half, when he swapped to more of an attacking wing back, his more prominent position, sending in good crosses and making good runs into the box. The other standout being K2, who's had a flying start in Chelsea colours, grabbing a goal in this game and putting in a tremendous and energetic defensive performance elsewhere. There was a moment where we give the ball away in midfield, Silva is out of position and Spurs are pushing forward. Koulibaly sprints across and makes an insane slide tackle to win the ball back before sending it back upfield on the counter. Silva and Mendy were solid as always, and Azpi put in a great shift coming off the bench.
Wing-backs:
Cucurella continues to prove that he deserves the LWB spot permanently and showed more of that mad energy and desire down the left. Grabbed a good assist in the game, being able to pick out an unmarked K2, and should have got a foul in the dying moments after getting his hair yanked in the box. As for Ruben, I really think we've found a strong position for him. My personal MOTM of the game, he was deployed as a RWB on paper, with the ability to move into midfield during attacks to form our 4-2-2-2 in attacking scenarios. Rarely put a foot wrong in the game, and with the potential loss of Kante to injury he could find himself getting games in the midfield as well. Either way, he's proving to be more than capable cover at RWB.
Midfield:
Kante had a bit of a slow start to this game, but quickly found his feet and put in a vintage performance, serving as a strong ball progressor into the Spurs half. The injury is a bit scary, seems to be a recurring thing now and he joins Kovacic on this list. Gallagher was solid coming on however and could have had a goal after winning the ball back with a good press and getting into Spurs' box. Jorginho was solid too but was partly to blame for Spurs' first goal and was subbed off not long after.
Attack:
Havertz had a quietly strong game and pressed well, and should have had a goal today. Applauded off the pitch which is great to see. I know he'll come good very soon, potentially as early as Leeds, because he's certainly showing why he should continue to stay in this starting 11. Mount seemed to drop deeper into a no 10 role, a role which I think is his perfect position, allowing Kai to push up alongside Sterling in attack. Sterling grabbed an assist this game and could have got a goal - many are criticizing the decision to play him as a no 9, and while I agree that we absolutely need an out and out ST signed before the end of the month, I also love the idea of this fluid front three of Mount-Raheem-Kai, which is fully interchangeable and swappable. I wanted Broja introduced a bit earlier and think that him starting a few games would give him a good chance to show what he can do. Broja is our aerial threat, and when we were sending in good crosses in the early parts of the game, no doubt the Albanian would have been all over them.
ANTHONY TAYLOR
I've spoken about him before, I don't really want to make it all about the refereeing decisions or speak too much about it, but it should be known - there is convincing evidence to say both goals should be disallowed.
First goal, yes we are a bit switched off in defence and Jorginho blunders slightly, but Havertz was clearly fouled in the build-up, the ball not won clearly, yet nothing is given / game not pulled back in any way. There's shouts for Richarlison offside / obstructing Mendy's view as well, but the main thing was a clear as day Havertz foul not being given at all.
Second goal, Taylor has a brilliant view of this - Romero pulls at Cucurella's hair, for a decent amount of time, he is brought to the ground. Nothing at all, no red card, no free kick to us, nothing. No referee makes the decision to consult VAR or call Taylor over to the monitor to look, and I'm very certain that if he did take a look at it, then a free kick would have been awarded and the goal disallowed. So frustrating.
On top of that, the only outfield players booked were Chelsea players; Mendy for timewasting and James for a tactical foul on Son to nullify a counter-attack. Even though players like Bentancur and Sessengon made several risky fouls on our players.
Former players like Llunberg, Schweinsteiger, Fabregas, all expressed disappointment after the game - surely that sends a big enough message?
OVERALL
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