Premier League
Spurs vs Chelsea Match Analysis
September 28, 2013
The London derby between Spurs and Chelsea has a very different vibe about it this season. The White Hart Lane club are no longer the perennial under-achievers of London as they target a solid top-four finish this season with an eye on competing for the Premier League trophy. AVB’s side looks at Chelsea now as equals.
To add to the drama, the contest pits Master and Apprentice in a head-to-head for the first time in the careers of Jose Mourinho and Andre Villas-Boas. AVB was part of Jose’s backroom staff for seven years at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan before the young Portuguese tactician decided to part-ways with Mourinho to take on a more senior role.
In the build-up to the contest, AVB stated: “We had a great personal and professional relationship before. We don't have that now”.
"I was never his No.2," AVB continued. "I was part of his staff, but I was never his assistant. That's one of the reasons we went our separate ways. I thought I could give him a lot more but he didn't feel the need to have someone next to him”.
Mourinho’s response was passive-aggressive: “I'm not a kid. I don't discuss this with the media, it's a personal thing. I don't care what he says. I'm not here to do that. I'm not interested”.
The rivalry between the coaches was expected to add more tension to what is usually a very intense affair.
That, however, was not the case during the first half of the match.
Spurs began the derby in the ascendancy with Christian Eriksen finding space in forward positions due to his intelligent movement. The Dane also showcased sublime vision and quick thinking as he played a role in every opportunity Tottenham created.
Chelsea, on the other hand, were subdued with Mikel looking slow and labored in defensive midfield. Jose Mourinho deployed his trusted lieutenants for this key game as Frank Lampard, John Terry and Ashley Cole were involved in the starting line-up.
Tottenham’s energetic midfield dominated the game during the first 20 minutes with Paulinho pushing forward while Townsend and Sigurdsson moved infield from their wide positions to aid the physical Soldado who was asked to rough-up the Blues’ center defenders.
In the 19th minute, the home side was rewarded for their promising start.
A quick turn from Christian Eriksen got him past Frank Lampard and towards the Chelsea penalty area. His quick pass from the left reached Soldado who set-up the rushing Sigurdsson for the opening goal of the contest.
The Iceland international has been in superb form this season with AVB getting the best out of the advanced midfielder from wide left which allows Sigurdsson’s to cut inside undetected using his clever forward runs.
Chelsea will point to the pedestrian Mikel who failed to react to Eriksen’s forward surge thus allowing Soldado the time and space to lay the pass to Sigurdsson.
Spurs, enthused by the goal, continued to push forward and nearly doubled their advantage minutes later as Townsend and Walker combined down the right flank to deliver a dangerous cross which Paulinho would have directed goal-wards if it wasn’t for a crucial interception by Ivanovic.
The uninspired Blues continued to struggle in midfield with Paulinho breaking dangerously on several occasions. The impressive Dembele, who was positioned deeper, controlled the tempo and pressed high up the pitch as the Chelsea defense looked to establish an attack.
Mourinho’s midfield trio of Mikel, Lampard and Oscar clearly wasn’t working while Ramires was wasted on the right flank.
Despite the Blues finally coming to life during the last 10 minutes, it was Spurs who once again produced another threatening chance.
A clever back-heel from Walker on the right, reached the direct Townsend who ran at Terry and reached the Chelsea penalty area – the young England winger passed to Paulinho but the Brazilian could only hit the side netting with the goal at his mercy.
Advantage to the Apprentice at half-time!
The second half started with a tactical change by Mourinho as Mata replaced the disinterested Mikel. The switch forced a series of changes to the Chelsea midfield as Ramires moved to the holding midfield role with Oscar asked to operate from the left. Eden Hazard also took-on a new post as central attacking midfielder.
Another significant change by the Blues boss was in the role of Fernando Torres. Chelsea’s number nine was employed as the battering ram in the first half but was asked to drop deeper and run at defenders during the second 45 minutes.
The changes worked a charm!
First, Torres dribbled well on the right side and sent a good cross into the Spurs six-yard box – unfortunately for the Blues, Oscar failed to hit the ball cleanly and the chance was wasted.
Minutes later, the Spaniard again dribbled past the Tottenham defense and was left one-on-one with Hugo Lloris who saved brilliantly.
The menacing Torres became a nuisance to AVB’s defenders, particularly Vertonghen who clashed with Torres after a dive by the Belgian international. The reaction from Torres earned him a yellow-card.
Villas-Boas reacted to the tactical changes made by Mourinho by implementing a high-offside line which caught the Chelsea attackers on several occasions. The White Hart Lane club also became reliant on quick counterattacks.
Spurs though, struggled to get their midfield into the game with Ramires playing a key role in improving the Blues from the holding-midfield position in the second half. Mourinho also ensured that Eriksen would be closed-down quickly thus stifling the Danish international.
On 65 minutes, Chelsea earned a free-kick close to the center circle which the impressive Mata delivered accurately to John Terry who headed home for a deserved equalizer. The Chelsea captain moved away from Dawson and was then left unmarked by Vertonghen and Townsend for a free header.
With the wind in their sales, Mourinho brought-on Andre Schurrle for the quiet Eden Hazard to try and win the game. The German international was deployed on the left wing for Chelsea.
AVB responded by taking-off Eriksen and replacing him with Lewis Holtby with the Dane going-off to a standing ovation from the Spurs faithful. Eriksen was the star of the show during the first half but Mourinho’s changes in the second half rendered him helpless.
The young Spurs boss also substituted the tiring Soldado with Jermain Defoe.
The intimidating Torres continued to torment the Tottenham defense, this time through a pass to Andre Schurrle and Lloris once again saved well from a one-on-one situation for the Blues.
The absorbing tale of Fernando Torres in this derby was to come to an abrupt end though. The Spaniard, attempted to win the header against Jan Vertonghen which was judged to be on the aggressive side. This was one duel too many for Torres and Vertnoghen as the referee showed the number nine his second yellow of the contest and was sent-off.
With Chelsea down to 10 men, Mourinho introduced Azpilicueta for Oscar with the Spanish fullback asked to play a role on the left side of midfield.
The red card swayed the game back in favor of the home team as the Spurs midfield regained control of center midfield and relied on patient possession football to try and break down the Chelsea defense who sat deep in the last few minutes of the contest.
Spurs were unable to create any clear-cut chances with AVB’s charges limited to a couple of shots from outside the box from Sigurdsson and Defoe.
The full time whistle came with Mentor and Apprentice on an even keel.
Villas-Boas will be proud of getting his team up for the game as they started as the better side but the “Happy One” was superior in reading the contest and made the changes necessary.
Mourinho recently blamed a change of philosophy at the club for the faltering start of the Blues this season but the issue seems to be a mental one more than anything else. Chelsea are not showing the hunger and the winning attitude they mirrored during the first coming of the Special One – the Stamford Bridge side start their matches with a laid-back approach and generally seem saturated.
The performance of Torres is a big plus for Chelsea despite the red card. Another Spaniard making a strong case is Juan Mata who is making it very difficult for Mourinho to keep him out of the starting line-up.
Spurs on the other hand will be delighted with Christian Eriksen who looks a very astute signing capable of having a big impact. For AVB, this is a positive point against direct competitor for a top-four position in the league this season. Spurs must ensure that they keep racking up the points while the new players are bedding into their new surroundings to ensure they could push on after Christmas with a more settled squad.
The one-all score line is a fair result in what should become a common duel between Mourinho and Villas-Boas as each manager continues the process of shaping-up their squads.
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