Tottenham Hotspur went into today’s match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge knowing that a point would essentially confirm — if not mathematically — their Premier League survival. But as we know, getting a result at Stamford Bridge is hard in any circumstance. Spurs went down 2-0 to a first half wonder strike from Enzo Fernandez and a second half goal from Andrey Santos. Richarlison gave Spurs fans some hope with a 74’ goal off a backheel assist from Pape Sarr, and things got tetchy afterwards with multiple
cards handed out to both sides. But ultimately, the game ended the way it almost always does when Spurs play away at Chelsea — a 2-1 loss that means Spurs’ survival will go down to the final day of the Premier League season.
It felt inevitable, didn’t it? It never seems to matter what the form of either team is going into this game — and while Spurs dominated possession and xG, ultimately it didn’t matter. A loss means that Spurs MUST win their final home match this Sunday against Everton; a draw or a loss opens the door for West Ham to sneak ahead of them with a win at home over Leeds.
Here are my match reactions.
Match Reactions
- Final xG: 0.63 – 1.72. I hate this game.
- Honestly, a draw would’ve been a very fair result. But as we know, form doesn’t matter. Strength doesn’t matter. Players rested or available doesn’t matter. Nothing matters — Tottenham Hotspur just doesn’t win at Stamford Bridge. Ever. And it SUCKS.
- Watching Spurs actually move the ball consistently up the pitch against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge I was struck by how absolutely wild it is how poorly Spurs have been coached to attack this season. It’s just incredible.
- 18 minutes of solid build-up play, a ball off the post and then Enzo just rifles a worldy into the back of the net. Ahh, Chelsea-Spurs — same as it ever was.
- I don’t know how much I actually have to say about the first half — Spurs looked nervy after the goal and never really seemed like they regained their composure. Pedro Porro had a bit of a nightmare half, getting caught up pitch and letting Cucurella basically have free reign on that left side, and putting in some hilariously bad passes when he got forward. Tel had a couple of bright moments, but wasn’t helped by Udogie, who was similarly poor. But ultimately, Ball Went Goal™ for Chelsea and that sucks.
- That second goal was just incredibly poor, and most of the blame should be directed at Rodrigo Bentancur. Just the easiest possible goal you could possibly give up on one of the weakest counterattacks imaginable and Spurs concede. God.
- Richy’s goal was pretty, but equally pretty was the backheel pass from Sarr to get him the ball. Lovely goal! Hope is back on the table!
- I guess I can understand why the Cucurella foul on Richarlison wasn’t given as a penalty as the rule is the ball has to be in play, but maaaaaaan that was milliseconds away from being a penalty but instead NOPE. And we were never getting that call on the road at the Bridge.
- I can’t understand how Rory Delap didn’t get sent off for throwing his arm into Djed’s face. He was looking right at Djed, too — it was absolutely deliberate. Real shithead play, that.
- So much for the party atmosphere on the last day. It was nice to have a little hope after Richarlison’s goal, but ultimately this played out more or less exactly as I feared it would. Spurs now HAVE to beat an Everton team that is not going to be pushed over at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in order to secure Premier League football next season. Anything less than that — draw or loss — and we’re reliant on West Ham, and that should scare the crap out of everyone. And with Spurs’ home form… I dunno, y’all. I’m scared.
