Ange Postecoglou says he does not care about the questions being asked about Tottenham’s inability to defend securely from set pieces.
The manager believes he will get it right.
But he could not avoid another hail of them as his team slumped to a third defeat on the spin, their season in increasing danger of fizzling out.
It was Chelsea’s night, this a victory to fire their hopes of a Europa League finish to a remorselessly testing season.
They were excellent in the first half, Spurs so poor that Postecoglou howled in frustration on a number of occasions. It was difficult to remember seeing him so unhappy.
After what had happened in Sunday’s derby defeat at home to Arsenal, there was a certain inevitability about how Spurs were unhinged. Arsenal took advantage of using Ben White as a shot-stopper against goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Here, it was Marc Cucurella who scored to eliminate Brennan Johnson and create conditions for Trevoh Chalobah to put Chelsea ahead in the 24th minute.
That was the 15th goal in the series that Spurs lost. have conceded Premier League goals this season and the number 16 would have doomed them to defeat in the 72nd minute.
Cole Palmer’s free kick beat Vicario and went off the crossbar, while Nicolas Jackson reacted strongly to finish. point on the counterattack with his header. Only three teams in the championship have conceded more goals from set-pieces.
Here’s how Mauricio Pochettino could celebrate his 400th game as manager an English club. Spurs just need to do more soul-searching.
The match falls on the eighth anniversary of the Battle of the Bridge when a Pochettino-led Spurs team saw their title hopes dashed smoke with a 2-2 draw. in a shower of yellow cards and outright hostility.
It was a match that usually stirs passion – and Chelsea’s 4-1 victory over nine-man Spurs last November did Star? – and there was a particular moment before kick-off when a group of home fans unfurled a giant Conor Gallagher banner.
“Chelsea since birth,” read the caption. Implication: Don’t sell it in the summer. Especially not at Spurs.
It’s easy to see why Postecoglou wanted Gallagher. No player has recovered the ball in the final third more than he has in the Premier League this season; he would be ideal for Ange-ball.
Gallagher was the architect of many of Chelsea’s beautiful moments in the first half, starting with Pape Sarr’s steal, which led to Mykhailo Mudryk releasing Jackson on the left for the first big chance.
Jackson had a chance to beat Vicario and although the goalkeeper had something in the way of the shot, the ball kept rolling until Micky van de Ven was back clear of the line. The clearance was passed to Palmer, who was unable to react in time, the ball bouncing off his boot and flying over the crossbar.
Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson scores his team’s second goal against Tottenham .
Nicolas Jackson headed Chelsea’s second goal. Cole Palmer’s free kick goal went over the crossbar.
Postecoglou played a steady attack throughout the first half. Chelsea dominates, Gallagher aims high with his hustle; Noni Madueke and Mudryk threatened on the flanks.
Spurs were too loose in their passing, especially when trying to build from the back. Where is the structure? Or composure? There would be boos from the visitors’ supporters at the half-time whistle.
The breakthrough was expected, as Alfie Gilchrist and Madueke came close with shot, and it would be a free kick, a free kick that involves tackling a Spurs player. As Gallagher took a deep free-kick, Cucurella got in Johnson’s way, allowing Chalobah to head home, which expertly put him past Vicario. Cucurella was on the inside and did not commit a clear enough foul – in VAR’s opinion.
Chelsea may have been caught out when Mudryk narrowly missed the post in 33 minutes in before Spurs took the move. Cristian Romero headed wide of the post after Pedro Porro’s free kick and there were combinations from Sarr and Johnson. The first goal almost went in but was saved by Chalobah.
Pochettino has had serious injury problems this season but never as serious as here, given the number of people casualties reached 14. Postecoglou, struggling with his own problems, was forced to line up Emerson Royal at left-back. He recalled Yves Bissouma and dropped James Maddison.
It’s not hard to imagine a half-time investigation in the Spurs dressing room. Their players regrouped on the field before the restart and they emerged with renewed dynamism and determination. It was Spurs who pressed the front foot in the second half, while Chelsea sat deeper, looking to launch counter-attacking shots.
Palmer finished high with his left foot when positioned correctly and made a mistake with his right foot after deceiving Emerson.
Postecoglou has reorganized his entire midfield, introducing Pierre-Emile Højbjerg , Rodrigo Bentancur and Maddison, and Spurs continued to hint at something, making a number of promising moves without producing anything tangible.
They were overwhelmed by the second goal of Chelsea, felt it would not be their night to strengthen as Johnson narrowly missed a chance at glory at the other end of the field. immediately leading 2-1.
Spurs will be subjected to a wave of pressure in stoppage time. It was too little and too late. Most of their supporters have long since passed away.