Tottenham Home – View From In Front Of My Screen
View from in Front of my screen.
So we started a new season, lots of new faces and some old(young) ones returning due to the sale of the club and the bar on doing deals previously. The starting fixtures look daunting, and we will have to play at least a possible extra 5 games before November compared to last season due to this winter world cup in Dubai.
Everton away was always a tricky game, they seem to up their game specially for us and not having a win against them there for 5 seasons and them having not lost a season starting game at home for a while, the warning signs for tricky opener were there. But we passed that test.
So again I put on one of my lucky shirts, a threadbare “you can’t ban a Chelsea fan” from 1983. It is a bit of a squeeze to fit in it nowadays and sat down in front of my computer to watch the game.
Up next the Spudz, revitalised a bit under our ex manager Antonio Conte, I always have a worry before playing them despite our recent record and this time was no different. The squad for the match looked good with the new boys starting, and a defensive back three with wingbacks to deal with our opponents pace.
The kickoff preceded by the tune Liquidator playing interspersed with chants of “we hate Tottenham”.
The game started brightly Spurs getting the better of the early exchanges. Koulibaly reminding me of Rudiger with some of his industrial tackling.
The opening 15 mins was fairly even with some hard tackling and a few niggles here and there.
Several balls into the Spurs penalty area revealing our lack of height in that position. I felt we weren’t moving the ball quick enough as usual taking too many passes allowing Spurs to get 11 men behind the ball. Then on 17mins a quick move between Kante, Sterling and Havertz, bought a save from Lloris leading to a corner, Up stepped Cucurella who delivered a good out-swinging ball into the area which was slammed home on the volley by new boy Koulibaly leaving Lloris rooted to the spot.
A water break on 26mins gave the managers a chance to deliver some tactical advice.
A quick break from a Mount corner led to James pulling back a fast breaking Son for a yellow card. A good ball from Jorginho just missing Loftus Cheek as he arrived in the area. The 1st half ending with Chelsea ahead, looking good and with 2/3 of the possession.
No Changes from either manager at halftime.
Our free-kicks and corners still need some work, not clearing the 1st man. Conte blinked 1st after 56 mins and bringing on new boy Richarlison for his debut Sessegnon making way.
On the hour mark some good work by Loftus Cheek led to a chance for Sterling.
Then a quick break by Spurs and Harry Kane dragged his shot wide from a good break was the “curse of Stamford Bridge” still alive? Mendy then got booked for time wasting. Spurs started to look dangerous, Chelsea needing a second goal to deflate them.
A foul was not given on Havertz and Spurs broke and on the 68 minute Spurs equalised and it all kicked off in the dugouts and both managers are booked as well as two technical staff.
4 minutes later the game restarted with Jorginho hooked for Dave to come on (perhaps a punishment for his part in the Spurs goal) although he’d had a good game up until then.
75mins a good ball from into the area and Havertz dragged it wide. The tide was turning Tottenham’s way.
Then on 77 mins Kante fed Sterling who passed to James in space he slammed it home and Tuchel sprinted off down the touchline in manic celebration and lucky not to get a 2nd yellow for leaving his technical area.
A 4th change by Conte saw Lucas Moura come on for Emerson Royal, then Kante went down trying to stretch for a ball and was replaced by Gallagher, and Sterling was replaced by Pulisic.
Havertz received a yellow card for going head to head with Romero and was replaced by Broja.
6 minutes of extra time.
Aargh… Chants of Super Chelsea rang round the Bridge.
Then on 92 minutes after just being given MOTM James fouls Kane, a nervy moment. Cleared for a corner.
The ball was whipped in and Mendy saves, another corner.
VAR look at an incident where Romero pulls Curacullas hair but nothing is given unbelievably (or we can believe, its as if VAR seem to have something against us).
The ball comes in and Harry Kane heads it goal-ward and it glances off Reece James and into the net.
Tragedy.
Spurs 2nd best for most off the game pull off a smash and grab.
Both goals coming after Spurs fouls not given, Anthony Taylor take a bow. Then on the final whistle it kicks off again on the touchline with both managers red carded.
So again Chelsea despite their domination fail to finish their opponents off. Disappointing and I had to listen to the whining voice of Carragher commenting, next time I’ll go back to Portuguese TV.
KTBFFH
Jack Russell
‘Chelsea Supporters Group’ can also be found on Twitter and Facebook
