Gallery: Player Ratings – Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Trippier – 3

Image 2 of 12

A couple of decent crosses and involvement in the first half especially but his own goal summed up his own, and the team’s, lack of belief and incisiveness. Oh dear, he made it all seem farcical when perhaps, without that second goal, some might have thought it merely inadequate.

Match Summary

Mauricio Pochettino’s frustration erupted after the Burnley game. Disregarding the second half against Dortmund, it must have been building for at least a month and this game was merely confirmation: we’re scrapping to stay in Champions’ League contention. Did the selfsame manager say it’ll take ten years to win anything? How long before we have a shot on target?

It’s not the results – we’ve got away with that on occasions. It’s the performances. Not a shot on target here, and barely a threat of any kind, collectively or individually. Little confidence to retain possession in the opposition half and barely any imagination to create openings, let alone take them.

It’s a depressing place to find ourselves. Again, we were up against resolute defending and little ambition. We then gifted two goals and succumbed weakly. The derby game offers a different circumstance to rescue the team’s focus and the game in Europe might, please God, lift spirits.