Following a hugely disappointing defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor in our last match, Tottenham Hotspur faced a difficult challenge against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in tonight’s midweek Premier League action.
With manager Mauricio Pochettino conceding our bid for the title after the defeat and effectively calling for greater mental strength and concentration if we are to consider ourselves in a title race in the future, there were plenty of questions about our own starting XI – even before we enjoyed the distraction of whether Kepa Arrizabalaga would select himself for tonight’s encounter following his recent fine and refusal to be substituted.
Sadly, that’s where the jokes end as Spurs failed to get a single shot on target across the 90 minutes and even though Chelsea officially only hit one between the sticks (and beyond Hugo Lloris) Kieran Trippier was credited with an own goal in the 84th minute to give them a 2-0 victory.
Nine points to Liverpool now given their result and even those fans retaining some optimism about a challenge for top spot have to be deflated after that. People will, in fact, be questioning top four credentials with the latest wobble.
Speaking to the BBC following the match, Pochettino said of that performance.
“In the small details we lose. We made mistakes and lost the game, that is why we are disappointed, we weren’t capable of playing our way. Chelsea had one shot on target and one goal and we didn’t shoot – its difficult that way to win and we weren’t solid enough. In the small details the result was decided for Chelsea. The competition will put us in our place. It’s a 10-month competition, not just three or four months. We are disappointed now. After Burnley I said it was difficult, and tonight makes it impossible to fight Man City and Liverpool. Only they can win the league – we must fight to win games and to be fair.”
With frustrations high, I doubt his words will soothe.