LONDON – Lose Chelsea A third time this month won’t do much for Antonio Conte’s quest to erase Tottenham’s guilt, but it may only strengthen his argument for action in the final week of the January transfer window. . Following defeat in both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final, Spurs were beaten 2-0 on Sunday to extend their fearsome record at Stamford Bridge with just one win in their last 37 across all competitions. arena.
Blues manager Thomas Tuchel gave his faltering players two days off earlier this week in search of sparks to restore performances, but it turns out all they really need is this. to play against Tottenham. (It was also Chelsea’s 33rd Premier League win over Tottenham, their most win against any team in the history of the tournament.) Meanwhile, Conte was left to speak once again of the interval. distance between the two teams after a game where he set his team up in a 4-4-2 Shape, with Steven Bergwijn and Harry Kane forward, Son Heung-Min missing due to injury and Dele Alli and Giovani Lo Celso ignored, after he was looking for a move away from the club.
“The club knows very well what I think and when we need to close this gap,” he said. “Not available [just] a transfer market [required] to close the gap. In the past few years, this gap has become very, very large and now it is not easy to find a solution overnight. “
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But that work begins now. The appearance of full-backs Matt Doherty and Ryan Sessegnon Acting as regular wingers in midfield perhaps conveys the urgency that Spurs need to revamp their squad over the next week. Tottenham continue pursuing Wolves deal’ Adama Traore also notice a more complex move to AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, among several other options.
It promises to be a busy few days, but Sunday’s setback was a reminder of what failure can look like. Either Traore or Kessie will add a new dimension to a team that has at least competed better than their last time here, but never seemed to find their way back after. Hakim Ziyech opened the scoring with a stunning save 47 minutes into the match. The Moroccan had not celebrated his goal against Brighton five days earlier, but before he could react this time he was being wanted by teammates to share in a moment of absolute class made the match in favor of the home team.
Outside of the break, the tactical adjustment to a 4-1-4-1 formation seemed to help Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi more threatening, even if this is yet another occasion where Romelu Lukaku’s effectiveness in front of goal has dodged him.
“We thought maybe it could provide us with some sort of solution to get out of that high pressure position in the opposition half and have a bit more breadth without the rears,” said Tuchel. wing guard”. “It’s one of the [Ziyech’s] best match today because he is so reliable. To be fair, that’s probably also his best position, on the flanks, wide on the right. That position usually doesn’t exist in a particular way when we play 3-4-3 and it’s a full-back. That was good because it gave him the opportunity to take risks. “
Spurs have reason to feel miserable; Kane had the ball in the net just before the interval, but a push from Thiago Silva’s back gave him more space to complete his shot and though England The captain protested, VAR did not intervene after the decision of the referee Paul Tierney to be excluded. Conte was emotional.
“The referee didn’t allow a goal and I was very clear with him,” he said. “I think it’s best to tell the referee politely, to see this kind of disallowed goal, it’s unbelievable.”
Silva was smart about maximizing contact, and he delivered another blow in the 55th minute for Spurs when he slammed Mason Mount’s free-kick. Tottenham’s propensity to concede goals from set pieces will anger Conte even more; they have conceded six goals from deadball situations in the Premier League this season. No team above them has suffered more than that.
Sunday was Conte’s first defeat since being appointed Spurs manager in November, and that is the extent to which they are playing catch-up in the second half of the campaign, with Spurs still two games in their hands. Manchester United in fourth place and amazing four match up against their opponents this weekend. They are just two points behind United, but to maximize those extra games, Conte needs the club to back him up with decisive transfers over the next eight days. Football’s chief executive, Fabio Paratici, was at Stamford Bridge before the game started – on the phone, of course – to witness first-hand the latest in what was already a contest. The team has been on the throne for too long.
The win ensures Chelsea keep the gap between the top three and the scramble plays out below them ahead of a series of inviting post-Club World Cup tournaments including dates with Crystal Palace, Burley, Newcastle, Norwich and Brentford. Sadly for them, they probably won’t face Spurs again this season.
“Can we play you every week?” sang the home fans jubilantly. Conte needs help to change the phase.
