Spurs hosted Chelsea in a blockbuster clash, overshadowed by the demise of English legend Jimmy Greaves who had a distinguished career with both teams.
It was an end-to-end start as each side looked to attack whenever they had the ball. Spurs were seeing more of the ball with pace but Chelsea were a threat on the break like always.
A bright start to this game!
This man has started brilliantly! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1OVcWHLFae
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 19, 2021
The home side were posing a threat every time they went forward while Chelsea had to stay compact at the back mostly. The game settled down a bit with Nuno Santo’s team having major possession. The Blues had been ineffective in attack with Lukaku failing to get into the game as it remained 0-0 at halftime.
Body on the line from @kepa_46. 💪
⚪️ 0-0 🔵 [41'] #TOTCHE pic.twitter.com/iFNDvtWIQ4
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 19, 2021
Alonso got the first chance of the second half in the opening minute. A raking ball over the top from Silva found the left wingback whose outstretched volley on his left foot had to be tipped over. The opening goal however involved those two once more. Alonso’s inswinging corner was headed in by Silva to break the deadlock.
OHHHH THIAGO SILVA! 🎶
The defender rises highest to head us into the lead! 👊
⚪️ 0-1 🔵 [51'] #TOTCHE https://t.co/M2iSkAJe7E
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 19, 2021
Thomas Tuchel’s side were in control now with Alonso’s shot from close range having to be kept out on the line by Dier. The second goal eventually arrived seven minutes after the first. Kante’s shot took a huge deflection of Dier’s foot, completely wrong footing Lloris and striking the post before going in.
Kante's shot takes a big deflection and finds it's way into the net! 💪
What an impact! 👌
⚪️ 0-2 🔵 [59'] #TOTCHE https://t.co/VtOaRX612T
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 19, 2021
Kane’s first shot of the afternoon came in the 65th minute, a comfortable save for Kepa. With the game heading into the final 15 minutes, Silva had yet another chance from a corner.
His flicked header was well pushed over by Lloris as Chelsea searched for a third goal. Lukaku saw a header well caught by Lloris before Kovacic’s shot from a tight angle was kept out. The goal arrived in the 90+2 minutes with Werner’s cutback to Rudiger finished off first time as the game ended 3-0.
W.#TOTCHE pic.twitter.com/R8KhFYQHFm
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 19, 2021
Here are the three key takeaways from the match:
SHAKY SPURS SHUTOUT AGAIN
After last weekend’s 3-0 hammering by Crystal Palace, the home side did start very well. They were pressing intensely, their movements were rapid and intelligent but the end product was lacking. Son and Lo Celso did find themselves in advantageous positions from which they could not capitalize. Kane was being deployed from the left side with Son through the middle and Alli joining the attacks whenever necessary.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg in the first half vs. Chelsea [pitch rank]:
44 attempted passes [🥇]
35 successful passes [🥇]
8 attempted tackles [🥇]
6 ball recoveries [🥈]
3 successful tackles [🥇]
2 interceptions [🥇*]Such a key player for Spurs. 🔑 pic.twitter.com/bhD4UBNovu
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 19, 2021
Still, the resistance they encountered was too much. The second half was a complete reversal in fortune. Spurs conceded twice within 15 minutes and the game was lost. The players looked deflated and never got going again to avoid defeat.
CLINICAL CHELSEA GO TOP
Tuchel’s defensive mastery with this Chelsea side has been a hallmark of his time. That was on full display today as they had to weather quite a few storms in the opening half. Rudiger, Silva and Christensen were having to clear a lot of balls into the box while the team as a whole struggled to get supply to their attackers.
36 – Aged 36 years and 362 days, Thiago Silva has become the second-oldest Chelsea player to score in the Premier League behind only Didier Drogba, who scored against Leicester City aged 37 years and 49 days in April 2015. Twilight. pic.twitter.com/SiZIrlC90Q
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 19, 2021
That all changed in the second half with the Blues blazing through the gates. Silva’s clever run to attack a corner got the first goal while the second had luck written all over it. Spurs’ attack was completely nullified with their front three barely getting on the ball. From then on, they were in complete control and took home a deserved three points.
RACE TO THE TOP HEATING UP
Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea remain joint-top with no side in a mood to relent. All three have some excellent players in fine form who provide goals and stops at the back. This year’s fight for the Premier League title seems to be one for the ages with Manchester City also following close behind. It will take something special for one of these teams to pull through as the weeks go by.
