Joao Pedro’s sensible end contained in the penalty field was sufficient to earn Chelsea a cushty 1-0 win over Tottenham in north London on Saturday — and the one remorse Enzo Maresca’s aspect could have is that they did not pile on extra distress for Spurs.
A convincing efficiency, led by the tenacity and rigour of Moises Caicedo in midfield, noticed Chelsea dismantle Thomas Frank’s aspect with ease and depart the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with the satisfaction of climbing stage on factors with their London rivals within the Premier League desk.
In the meantime, it was a torrid afternoon for Tottenham, who had been booed off the pitch by their very own followers after a disjointed and lacklustre show on dwelling soil.
Each day Mail Sport‘s KIERAN GILL saved a watchful eye over the London derby and took be aware of how Enzo Maresca tactically managed to outfox Frank — and stump Tottenham’s menace from set-pieces.
NEW WAY TO DEFEND LONG THROWS?
Whereas limiting Tottenham to an xG value solely 0.05, Chelsea unveiled a model new manner of coping with these pesky lengthy throw-ins which have seen them concede targets within the Premier League this season, together with within the earlier weekend’s loss to Sunderland.
Enzo Maresca had instructed us at his pre-Spurs press convention that they’d been engaged on how one can defend such conditions, and it was within the first half after they had the possibility to debut it.
Enzo Maresca (proper) received the higher of Thomas Frank (left) as Chelsea received 1-0 towards Spurs
Robert Sanchez was distinctive at gathering from Kevin Danso’s harmful lengthy throws
The Spaniard would then instantly look to hit Tottenham on the break, inflicting havoc
Spurs received a throw-in stage with the Blues’ field and Kevin Danso ran over to seize the ball and wind up his arms for the rocket. Simply as he was making ready to launch it lengthy, three Chelsea gamers immediately sprinted away from their very own space and to the midway line.
They had been Malo Gusto, Joao Pedro and Alejandro Garnacho and with them, they took three Tottenham gamers, leaving the field rather less congested than it beforehand was.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez had been instructed to indicate bravery on this match and whereas he hardly had a save to make, he was exemplary in claiming these balls into the field.
Danso chucked it in, Sanchez caught it, and instantly initiated a counter-attack as Enzo Fernandez led the cost, with Gusto, Joao Pedro and Garnacho already forward of him.
It occurred once more within the second half when Spurs had a throw-in by the Blues’ field. Danso was readying his run-up when the identical three gamers – Gusto, Joao Pedro and Garnacho – sprinted forwards for the midway line. Chelsea cleared the hazard on that event, too.
Wolves scored from a protracted throw throughout their Carabao Cup loss to Chelsea in midweek, keep in mind, they usually would be the subsequent guests to Stamford Bridge within the Premier League. We might want to see if the Blues keep on with this new uncommon technique.
GOALKEEPERS ‘FAKING’ INJURIES UP FOR DEBATE AGAIN
Goalkeepers don’t must go off the sector when handled for an damage. The time by which they’re being on condition that magic spray permits team-mates a possibility to regroup if they need to take action. They’ll even go over to the technical space to talk with their supervisor if they need.
With that in thoughts, let’s talk about what occurred after Spurs misplaced Lucas Bergvall to concussion.
Guglielmo Vicario dropped down injured for unknown causes whereas Frank chatted to the workforce
Spurs’ substitute goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was not despatched to warm-up throughout Frank’s chat
That seventh-minute substitution was an issue. It upset Spurs’ sport plan. Chelsea had been on high.
This may occasionally not have been picked up by the tv cameras, however I observed from the press field how Guglielmo Vicario was known as over to the touchline whereas the play was on the different finish of the pitch. Not lengthy after this, Vicario dropped down injured, for causes unknown.
Possibly he wanted official medical consideration. We have no idea.
What we do know is Thomas Frank used this sudden break to name over his total workforce for a chat.
What we do know is Tottenham’s substitute goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was not despatched to warm-up whereas Vicario was being handled for no matter was improper with him.
What we do know is Chelsea’s coaches and gamers weren’t joyful.
They weren’t the one ones suspecting one thing curious was occurring. It made a good few contained in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, myself included, wonder if this was one other case of a goalkeeper feigning damage in order that his colleagues may use the time to obtain a workforce discuss. Once more, we have no idea whether or not this was the case right here.
However I spoke to somebody who works for Chelsea afterwards and he had a useful suggestion for soccer’s lawmakers – merely make it in order that gamers can’t go over to their teaching workers when a goalkeeper damage happens. It’s a good suggestion, and would cease such situations swimming in scrutiny.
Lucas Bergvall was not joyful to be pressured to depart the sector after his concussion checks
Head accidents are not any joke and a participant’s welfare ought to take precedence over all different issues
SPURS PLAYERS DON’T LISTEN TO AUTHORITY
Bergvall was not joyful to be pressured to depart the sector after his concussion checks, however good on Tottenham’s membership physician Tamim Khanbhai for telling him what’s what, even whereas his participant was giving him the odd push as he tried to assist him.
I get the frustration, however head accidents are not any joke, and I’d sooner see a participant’s welfare take precedence over all the things else.
Spurs’ gamers may do with listening to authority. Bergvall, although maybe not in the best way of thinking, protested right here and the sight of Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven snubbing Frank after full-time was not look.
It was a hanging picture, the one in all Frank wanting again at them in disbelief, even when he was variety to Spence and Van de Ven when requested on it by us afterwards.
JAMES SHOWING PROPER CAPTAINCY
It was a 12 months in the past this week that Maresca, with out a lot encouragement, had a pop at Reece James. It was throughout a huddle on a Convention League away day, earlier than a 4-1 win over Panathinaikos, that the Blues boss stated he ‘anticipated extra’ management from his captain.
James confirmed how far he has come right here. This was a correct skipper’s efficiency.
When the half-time whistle went, James known as all of his team-mates over to affix him. At first, I assumed he was going to do a huddle there after which on the pitch.
Fairly, he didn’t need them strolling down the tunnel individually. He needed them strolling in as one, and all 11 gamers exited through the tunnel as a collective.
Reece James put in a correct captain’s efficiency and is exhibiting how far he has come
By the tip, James was celebrating each deal with, each block, each clearance with gusto. It was solely proper that he was entrance and centre in entrance of the away finish as they celebrated yet one more win versus Spurs. He was Chelsea’s finest participant after Moises Caicedo.
IS CAICEDO THE BEST GOING IN THE GAME?
Talking of Caicedo, there’s been a debate on social media of late: mainly, who’s the most effective defensive midfielder within the Premier League?
Some say it’s Declan Rice. Others reckon Rodri. Chelsea wouldn’t swap both of these for Caicedo. Maresca was requested for his opinion, and stated he would put Caicedo and Rodri on the high.
TERRIBLE DRIVER, TERRIFIC DEFENDER
Opinion alert: Wesley Fofana is an fool behind the wheel. You solely want to look at that footage of him driving dangerously in his Lamborghini on the laborious shoulder of the A3 Esher bypass in Hook, Hampshire to assume so. He now has 47 factors on his driving licence which, in Premier League phrases, could be sufficient for him to outlive relegation to the Championship.
Now that we now have that off our chest, we will praise Fofana on the soccer, as a result of he and Trevoh Chalobah had been titanic as a defensive duo in entrance of Sanchez right here.
