“The heart, soul and foundational stone of Chelsea’s defensive wall” – Player ratings as the Blues batter Spurs 0-3
In a ruthless evening of football, Chelsea dismantled Spurs with a stunning second-half at the Tottenham Stadium.
The first-half was drab and negative, but a tactical adjustment at half-time saw the Blues step up and roll over their hosts.
Here’s how the players rated at Tottenham Stadium:
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Spurs
Hugo Lloris – 6 – Had little to do until he had a lot to do in the last half an hour. Could do nothing about the Chelsea goals but did excellently twice deny the Blues late in the second-half.
Emerson Royal – 7 – Worked hard to prevent Chelsea from making incursions into the Spurs defence. Did his job well at the back albeit not much of a factor in attack. Made a team-high 5 tackles.
Cristian Romero – 7 – A solid display at the heart of defence. Spurs’ defending once he left the pitch was… yikes.
Eric Dier – 7 – An amazing block on the line from Alonso was the highlight of a really solid evening of football from Eric Dier. Made a game-high 9 clearances but didn’t get enough on a Kanté shot and deflected it into his own goal, dropping his score down one.
Sergio Reguilon – 6 – Another good display from the Spurs left-back, but should have closed Rudiger down better.
In the Premier League since this tweet…
Spurs have lost every game, Arsenal have won every game. Spurs have not scored, Arsenal have not conceded.
Next Sunday: NLD. 🍿 https://t.co/Zm8XUPpq9o
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 19, 2021
Pierre Emile Hojbjerg – 6 – Battled hard in the middle and while it worked in the first-half, the Chelsea switch at half-time drowned him out as the Blues took control. Failed to close out on Kanté for his goal, allowing the killer deflection.
Tanguy Ndombele – 6 – Looked sensational in possession; would routinely drive and dance around multiple Chelsea players. Unfortunately for him the Blues were organised enough that they could eventually crowd him out.
Dele Alli – 4 – Did almost nothing in attack or defence. Bafflingly lasted the entire 90+ minutes.
Giovani Lo Celso – 4 – Bar a couple of nice passes was really disappointing in a game where Spurs needed him to not be.
Heung-min Son – 5 – Played through the middle to be “on” Thiago Silva for counter-attacks. A nice gambit in theory but it didn’t really result in much. Some nice runs though.
Harry Kane – 4 – Was on the left for the first hour, that didn’t work. Was through the middle for the last half-hour, that didn’t work. Roy Keane criticised his body language post-match, and he wasn’t wrong at all. Kane is a world-class talent who clearly wanted out of Spurs to avoid games and performances like this, but he has to do better himself.
Substitutes:
Bryan Gil (for Lo Celso 62′) – 5 – Bright ideas, bad execution.
Oliver Skipp (for Ndombele 62′) – 6 – Really battled well and gave Spurs a modicum of hope.
Davinson Sanchez (for Romero 83′) – 4 – Made the defence much worse.
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Chelsea
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7 – Had basically nothing to do, but still transmitted confidence with the way he came to collect crosses.
Andreas Christensen – 7 – Solid.
Thiago Silva – 9 – Tormented Spurs from set-pieces. Scored a stunning header to give Chelsea the lead and almost added a third for his team later in the game. He was excellent at the back as well, shepherding the Spurs attack (even as they isolated him against the slippery Son) and making a team-high 6 clearances. Really impressive in his communication and leadership.
Thiago Silva's game by numbers vs. Spurs:
100% aerial duels won
100% shot accuracy
7 ball recoveries
6 clearances
5 duels won
5 touches in the opp. box
4 aerial duels won
3 interceptions
2 shots
1 goal scored
0 fouls committed
0 goals concededO Monstro does it again. 😤 pic.twitter.com/0RUml1yiZl
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 19, 2021
Antonio Rudiger – 9 – As impressive as ever. Made a crucial clearance to prevent a Spurs tap-in and was just formidable besides that. His aggression and intensity always sets the tone. The heart, soul and foundational stone of Chelsea’s impenetrable defensive wall.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 7 – Relentless in his work-rate.
Mateo Kovacic – 8 – Tackle machine in the middle (6 – team high) and drove things forward wonderfully, especially after the tactical adjustment at half-time.
Mateo Kovačić made more successful tackles (6) than any other player on the pitch during Spurs 0-3 Chelsea and no opposition player dribbled past him.
And he got another assist. ✨ pic.twitter.com/vMzCHrIAHH
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 19, 2021
Jorginho – 7 – Attempted and completed more passes than everyone else on the pitch. Really confident.
Marcos Alonso – 8 – Brilliant corner for the Chelsea goal and had a shot cleared off the line moments later. Has completely put Ben Chilwell in the shade with his early performances this team, and is now a confirmed massive part of the Chelsea attack.
Mason Mount – 6 – A decent display in terms of counter-attacking and counter-pressing but his final pass was downright abysmal. Subbed off at the half, allowing Chelsea to improve.
Chelsea have now kept more clean sheets (15) than they have conceded goals (14) in the Premier League under Thomas Tuchel. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/KeaDNUKdDY
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 19, 2021
Kai Havertz – 5 – Some nice runs on the counter but didn’t use the ball well at the end.
Romelu Lukaku – 7 – Incredibly bright movement, but couldn’t make the most of his limited chances. Played Werner in wonderfully.
Substitutes:
N’Golo Kanté (for Mount 46′) – 7 – Made a huge impact in the game. His appearance stiffened Chelsea’s midfield and he scored the second (admittedly via a heavy deflection). Something about his presence just electrifies all around him.
Timo Werner (for Havertz 70′) – 6 – Messed up more than one huge chance to score after coming on. Classic Werner. However he did also set-up the third goal with a lovely cross for Rudiger.