“Self-destructively defensive” – Full player ratings as Thomas Tuchel inflicts historic home loss on José Mourinho
In a stiff night of football, Chelsea beat Spurs 1-0 at Tottenham Stadium.
The match was Tuchel’s second in his first three games as Blues boss and even though they weren’t exceptional they did enough to win the game, inflicting José Mourinho’s second consecutive home league games defeat; the first time that’s happened to the Portuguese coach throughout his entire career as a manager.
Here’s how the players rated at Tottenham Stadium:
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Spurs
Hugo Lloris – 7 – Absolutely excellent. Made one or two key stops despite no help at all from his defence.
Serge Aurier – 6 – Had one of Spurs’ rare shots and created a golden chance for Vinicius to equalise with a lovely cross.
Toby Alderweireld – 7 – Generally handled the movement of the Chelsea front-line quite well.
Eric Dier – 3 – Had a really awkward game because he constantly got involved to get rid of the ball and deny Chelsea. 8 clearances, 6 blocks and 3 tackles were all team-highs and should have seen him be man of the match as Spurs got a well-fought point… but he senselessly fouled Timo Werner in the box; and senselessly really is the word as Dier was on the floor and still trying to tackle a standing man. This terrible idea ended in the inevitable spot-kick and Spurs losing. It was such a senseless mistake that it knocks his rating right down. In many ways he sums up Mourinhoball: good, but self-destructively defensive.
Jose Mourinho has lost back-to-back home games in the Premier League for the first ever time.
🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/mX4YdcO66E
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 4, 2021
Ben Davies – 5 – Completely overwhelmed by Chelsea flooding down his flank.
Pierre Emile Hojbjerg – 7 – Battled well (won possession a team-high 10 times) but couldn’t impact the game.
Moussa Sissoko – 6 – Worked hard but couldn’t impact proceedings.
Steven Bergwijn – 5 – Quiet.
Tanguy Ndombele – 5 – Tried to get things going but it just wasn’t working for him.
Spurs' shots against Chelsea:
1st-85th minute: 3
86th+ minute: 4
Leaving it too late. pic.twitter.com/xNYEKGypB0
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 4, 2021
Heung-min Son – 5 – Obviously starved of service. Doesn’t look the same without Harry Kane, as his absurd snapshot late in the game flying well over the bar illustrated.
Carlos Vinicius – 4 – Alright yes he was starved o service and asking him to be Harry Kane was always an exercise in futility but when all was said and done he still missed a fantastic chance to equalise, firing a header wide from close range. Disappointing.
Substitutes:
Erik Lamela (for Ndombele 69′) – 7 – Spurs’ best outfielder on the night. Came on full of energy and drove Spurs forward in vain hopes of grabbing an equaliser. That Lamela had to freewheel it like that speaks volumes of the coaching they are receiving.
Lucas Moura (for Bergwijn 69′) – 5 – Added little.
Spurs have attempted 15 shots in the two PL games without Harry Kane with a total xG value of 0.95 across those games, only Burnley have a lower xG across the past two gameweeks (0.27).
Sonny's missing his right-hand man. 😫 pic.twitter.com/OQDcs00h8i
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 4, 2021
Chelsea
Edouard Mendy – 6 – Another easy clean sheet.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 7 – A determined and driven display from the Chelsea skipper. Kept everyone on their toes.
Thiago Silva – 6 – Had to leave the pitch early with an injury.
Antonio Rudiger – 7 – Made a team-high 3 tackles as he was aggressive in attempts to shut down what little attacks Spurs had.
Reece James – 7 – Raided repeatedly down the right, creating 3 chances.
Jorginho – 7 – Cool, calm, composed and in control. Scored the game-winner with a superb penalty.
Marcos Alonso for Chelsea vs. Spurs:
◉ Most ball recoveries (11)
◉ Most aerials won (5)
◉ Most take-ons completed (4)
◉ Most interceptions (3)
◉Most clearances (3)The renaissance under Thomas Tuchel continues. ✨ pic.twitter.com/Hc554Inl1H
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 4, 2021
Mateo Kovacic – 7 – Pinged the ball around nicely. Made some good runs through the heart of the Spurs side.
Marcos Alonso – 7 – Had team-highs for clearances (3) and interceptions (3) and won possession back 11 times. Dominated his flank.
Callum Hudson-Odoi – 7 – Ran at Spurs well.
Mason Mount – 8 – A brilliant performance from the Englishman, again playing higher up the field. Was incessantly lively, constantly looking to make things happen. Completed 90.9% of his passes, had more passes inside Spurs’ half than any other Chelsea player, putting in the most crosses in the game (9 overall, 5 from open play). Created some good chances (3) and could have ended the night with a goal and an assist.
C̶h̶e̶l̶s̶e̶a̶
̶T̶o̶t̶t̶e̶n̶h̶a̶m̶
̶A̶r̶s̶e̶n̶a̶l̶More than half-way through the season and the highest-ranked Premier League team in London is…West Ham. pic.twitter.com/gTeQm25tzp
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 4, 2021
Timo Werner – 5 – About as effective as a packet of digestive biscuits for 99.9% of the match, but had the good fortune to be fouled by Eric Dier to win the penalty so he wasn’t completely useless. Still doesn’t look right (4 shots, none on target) and it’s clear that Thomas Tuchel has a huge job to rehabilitate Timo Werner.
Substitutes:
Andreas Christensen (for Thiago Silva 36′) – 6 – Was solid at the back.
Christian Pulisic (for Hudson-Odoi 65′) – 6 – Lively and bright.
N’Golo Kanté (for Mount 74′) – n/a – Came on late.
