LONDON — Chelsea progressed the ball into Tottenham`s half, finding Moises Caicedo with little pressure. A floated pass to Pedro Neto seemed promising, but a weak pass allowed Tottenham to momentarily avoid conceding.
However, a goal for Chelsea felt inevitable. Any team neglecting back post defense and seemingly losing its manager`s intended playing style is unlikely to keep a clean sheet.
Under Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham was known for intense, high-pressing football. While this approach risked shots on goal, regaining possession often created better scoring chances for Tottenham.
Recently, Tottenham has strayed from this aggressive style. Against Chelsea, they showed little pressing intensity despite a recent break. Chelsea frequently won the ball back in Tottenham`s defensive third. Earlier in the season, injuries forced Postecoglou to adjust his tactics, resulting in a weaker team, but understandably so.
Despite the return of key defenders like Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, Tottenham`s defense remains disorganized. Their understanding of defensive structure seems lacking.
Chelsea consistently gained possession, often due to Tottenham`s giveaways, and faced a slow and uncoordinated defense. Moving through a midfield led by Rodrigo Bentancur, they encountered Tottenham`s first-choice back four.
Tottenham`s defensive actions appeared disconnected. Chelsea players easily exploited spaces, and a less wasteful Chelsea team would have scored much earlier than Enzo Fernandez`s goal from Palmer`s cross. Jadon Sancho`s performance, in particular, suggested Chelsea might have been better off avoiding his signing.
Tottenham`s defensive struggles might be overlooked if their attack remained potent, but it hasn`t. Their expected goals have significantly decreased since January, ranking them low in the league. Prior to a late chance for Son Heung-min, they created few opportunities against Chelsea.
This attacking decline has increased fan frustration. Substitutions during the game drew criticism from fans, and when a substituted player scored, Postecoglou responded sarcastically to the away support.
This incident reflects Tottenham`s current situation: a promising start under Postecoglou has devolved into inconsistency. Numerous defeats and a mediocre league position, combined with defensive vulnerabilities, suggest a potential Europa League exit is looming.
Dominic Ashworth