Tottenham Thrash Chelsea

Tottenham ended Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign in emphatic style, beating their London rivals 3-1 at Wembley and leapfrogging them into third place.

Spurs were 2-0 up after just 16 minutes after a header from Dele Alli, who scored his sixth goal in five games against the Blues in all competitions, and Harry Kane. Son Heung-min then wrapped up the victory with a stunning solo goal after the break.

Olivier Giroud pulled a goal back late on but it was scant consolation for Maurizio Sarri’s side.
Tottenham have been winning ugly for much of the season, hanging onto the coattails of the Premier League leaders through sheer grit and desire at times.

Here, however, was the performance they had been waiting for — the display of their true quality and the proof that they can continue to challenge Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the table.

This has generally been the period of the season where Spurs have clicked into top gear under Pochettino and on this evidence, with only a five-point gap to leaders City, they must be considered part of the title picture.

If Spurs’ finishing had been a little sharper they could have racked up a rugby score and a result that their fans would have talked about for decades, having had nine shots on target to Chelsea’s two.

Giroud’s goal took a bit of gloss off the result at the end, but otherwise this was a stunning triumph.
9 — All of Pochettino’s tactical decisions paid off. His 4-3-3 formation was effective and Christian Eriksen excelled on the left side of a central midfield three. Dele Alli was tasked with nullifying Jorginho’s passing ability and did the job well, while the choice to pick Moussa Sissoko instead of Harry Winks was fully justified. This was a great day for the Argentine.

GK Hugo Lloris, 7 — Quick off his line and palmed away an Eden Hazard strike in the first half, while also helping out with defenders with a few aerial balls.

DF Serge Aurier, 7 — Sound defensively and worked well with Sissoko in Chelsea’s half. With Kieran Trippier out injured, the Ivorian has a good opportunity to make the right-back spot his own.

DF Juan Foyth, 7 — Started for the third Premier League match in a row and passed a major test against top-six opposition, although he was probably fortunate to escape a penalty after knocking Hazard over from behind in the first half.

DF Toby Alderweireld, 8 — Marshalled the defence expertly and nearly scored when he met Eriksen’s cross at the near post in the first half.

DF Ben Davies, 7 — The Welshman was beaten by Willian a few times in the first half but his passing was much more accurate and incisive than in previous outings. An encouraging display.

MF Moussa Sissoko, 9 — An outstanding performance. The Frenchman won tackle after tackle and secured possession in the build-up to the second goal. His passing was also effective and he should have had an assist after laying the ball on a plate for Kane. Once something of a joke figure at the club, Sissoko is now becoming impossible to drop.

MF Eric Dier, 8 — Popped up everywhere to avert danger and blocked a dangerous Alvaro Morata shot in the first half, while using the ball well.

MF Christian Eriksen, 9 — The Dane was deployed in a deeper role than usual, on the left side of a central midfield trio, but he still posed a constant threat. Eriksen set up the opener with a devilish free kick and then laid on further enticing opportunities for Kane, Alderweireld and Son with accurate crosses.

FW Dele Alli, 9 — Scored the early opener and sent Son on his way to the third goal with a pass down the line while also playing a key role out of possession by man-marking Chelsea’s influential playmaker Jorginho.

FW Son Heung-min, 8 — Gave Chelsea’s defence endless problems with his pace and, although he missed the target or was denied by Arrizabalaga four times in the first half, he eventually scored the majestic goal he had been threatening all evening, beating Jorginho on the touchline, then David Luiz, then Arrizabalaga.

FW Harry Kane, 8 — Scored clinically from 25 yards, netting his 25th goal in Premier League London derbies, while linking the play well and hassling Chelsea’s defenders throughout. He should have had a second but fired over from close range.

Substitutes

MF Erik Lamela, N/R — Replaced the hard-working Son and carried the ball well in the closing stages.

MF Harry Winks, N/R — A late replacement for Alli.