Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea: Jorginho condemns Spurs to third Premier League loss in a row
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Jorginho’s goal was his fifth of the season for Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel continued his unbeaten start as Chelsea manager with victory at Tottenham, a result that moved them into the Premier League’s top six.
Jorginho’s first-half penalty, awarded after Eric Dier upended Timo Werner, gave the Blues a win their more progressive approach deserved against a Spurs side devoid of ideas and ambition until it was too late.
Tuchel has now enjoyed two wins and a draw, without conceding a goal, since replacing the sacked Frank Lampard, and while the animated German occasionally displayed signs of frustration in his technical area, this was ultimately a satisfying outcome.
In contrast, it was a third successive defeat in a dismal sequence for Tottenham and manager Jose Mourinho as they were punished for a desperately negative gameplan which, shorn of main marksman Harry Kane, barely gave Chelsea an anxious moment until Carlos Vinicius headed Serge Aurier’s cross wide at the far post when unmarked late on.
Demanding Tuchel continues good start
Tuchel has wasted no time in laying down his demands to Chelsea’s players and his presence on the touchline certainly galvanises them into action.
He was on the move throughout this win, expressing pleasure and discontent throughout, on one occasion shouting “yes” and applauding his side vigorously after bellowing “go, go” to order Chelsea to pressurise Spurs.
It is early days but Tuchel has got Chelsea playing at a faster pace and the right-sided combination of Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi is clearly something he feels has promise.
In reality, this was a relatively comfortable night for the Blues, despite losing the experienced Thiago Silva with a hamstring injury in the first half.
Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy was barely troubled, apart from a diving save from Erik Lamela, while Mason Mount’s driving runs and energy from midfield were sure to have impressed his new manager.
Werner is still struggling for a break, but he won the crucial penalty and never stopped running despite not always enjoying the best of fortune.
All in all, this was a pleasing night for Tuchel and his new charges.
Negative Spurs deserved nothing
Spurs manager Mourinho will no doubt point to that bad late miss to Vinicius as a moment when they might have snatched a point – but, in reality, they got what their approach merited: nothing.
Mourhino’s side looked desperately short of threat without the injured Kane, with even Son Heung-min struggling as he received little support or service.
In a bewildering first-half display, Spurs at times almost seemed unwilling to leave their own half, instantly handing the initiative to Chelsea. It was an invitation the visitors were only too happy to accept.
Tottenham, as they had to do, showed more positive intent after the break, but it was hardly a wave of attacks and, when he did make changes, it was significant Mourinho turned to Lamela and Lucas Moura rather than Gareth Bale, who was left unused.
Kane’s absence would strip any team of an edge of menace but it was also Mourinho’s no-risk strategy that let Tuchel’s side benefit for most of the game.
Late rally aside, particularly Vinicius’ miss, this was a grim evening for Spurs their manager.
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Tottenham manager Mourinho told BBC Sport: “We had a great chance by Vinicius. We can analyse the game from the first to the last minute. If you want to be pragmatic – one penalty, one goal, 1-0.
“When a team is in a difficult game against Chelsea, you concede that penalty and are affected by it. By the end of the the first half I saw a team that was struggling, but it was totally the opposite in the second half.
“We miss a lot of important players but the spirit in the second half is untouchable.
“We don’t like it [the form] but the way we finished the game gives me positive feelings. It is not that that stops the defensive mistakes but it gives us a difficult smile on the face, to stick together and go tomorrow.
“Hopefully, next week, Harry Kane will be back, but not any of the others. We play Sunday against West Brom and they need points as much as us for different reasons.”
Tuchel pleased with ‘potential’ of Chelsea squad
Chelsea boss Tuchel said: “We are super happy about the result. It was a tough game against a strong opponent but we did very well and controlled the game well.
“It was a good first half. In the second half, we lost more of the possession and the distances in the passing were too long.
“If you play against a quality team you have to accept there are moments you have to suffer. We defended very actively and brave. We were looking for a second goal desperately as that would have killed the game.
“I’m happy with the spirit and the attitude in defending. A very solid team performance and a deserved win.
“It’s not about my methods. I’m happy with the attitude, the squad, the potential. They are fine guys – it’s a nice group and they are open. It’s a pleasure to be around them. We have a lot of support in the whole club. It was a quick start but an easy one because I feel very welcome.”
On Silva going off injured: “I saw Thiago with a big strap around his muscle, but we have to wait. It’s worrying because it’s a muscle injury.”
What’s next?
Tottenham host West Bromwich Albion in the league on Sunday (12:00 GMT), before Chelsea play at Sheffield United later on the same day (19:15).
Player of the match
MountMason Mount
Chelsea
Squad number19Player nameMount
Squad number20Player nameHudson-Odoi
Squad number24Player nameJames
Squad number5Player nameJorginho
Squad number17Player nameKovacic
Squad number10Player namePulisic
Squad number28Player nameAzpilicueta
Squad number6Player nameThiago Silva
Squad number2Player nameRüdiger
Squad number3Player nameAlonso
Squad number11Player nameWerner
Squad number16Player nameMendy
Squad number4Player nameChristensen
Squad number7Player nameKanté
Line-ups Tottenham
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Lloris
24Aurier4Alderweireld15Dier33Davies
17Sissoko5Højbjerg
23Bergwijn28Ndombele7Son Heung-Min
45Alves Morais
Substitutes
Chelsea
Formation 3-4-2-1
16Mendy
28Azpilicueta6Thiago Silva2Rüdiger
24James5Jorginho17Kovacic3Alonso
20Hudson-Odoi19Mount
11Werner
Substitutes
Live Text
Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur 0, Chelsea 1.
90’+4′
Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur 0, Chelsea 1.
90’+3′
Attempt missed. Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high.
90’+1′
Attempt blocked. Timo Werner (Chelsea) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by N’Golo Kanté.
89′
Attempt missed. Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left from a direct free kick.
88′
César Azpilicueta (Chelsea) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
88′
Foul by César Azpilicueta (Chelsea).
88′
Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
87′
Attempt missed. Carlos Vinicius (Tottenham Hotspur) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Serge Aurier with a cross.
86′
Attempt missed. Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Moussa Sissoko.
84′
Attempt missed. Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
83′
Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
83′
Foul by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur).
81′
N’Golo Kanté (Chelsea) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
81′
Foul by N’Golo Kanté (Chelsea).
81′
Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
79′
Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
79′
Attempt saved. Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Son Heung-Min.
77′
Antonio Rüdiger (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
77′
Foul by Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur).
