Shocking defending costs Chelsea against Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea have lost only their second game of the season and have dropped five points in two games following defeat this evening against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Shocking defending has cost Chelsea big time!
It's the first time since Jose Mourinho has managed in the Premier League that he has conceded FIVE goals and questions need to be asked as to what the hell went on here. Although it pains me to admit it, Tottenham were great going forward and managed to create gaps between our defence and midfield time and time again.
Believe it or not, Chelsea took the lead with Diego Costa's fourteenth goal of the campaign after some good work by Hazard down the right hand side. Hazard forced his way into the box and his shot rebounded off the far post to Oscar who found Costa a yard out to tap home to give Chelsea the lead.
That was about as good as it got for us as Tottenham took control of the game after that moment. Harry Kane caused John Terry and Gary Cahill problems all afternoon and Kane was allowed time and space to pick up the ball wide left around 35 yards out. Come inside unchallenged and to the edge of the box to place a low shot past Courtois to make it 1-1.
Spurs go on rampage either side of half-time
Then Chelsea gave possession away wide left and Eriksson picked up the ball and again, was allowed to come inside. Chadli makes a run for him between Cahill and Terry and he slots the ball through to him. Chadli's shot comes back off the post and Rose steps up to slam home as Cahill is unable to get across to block it. 2-1 Tottenham.
Right on half time Chelsea give the ball away again and Cahill is caught sleeping. The ball is played into the box and Cahill brings down the attacker in the box for a stonewall penalty. Townsend steps up and makes it 3-1 at half time.
Second half begins and you hope that Chelsea will up the tempo and press Tottenham to impose ourselves on them but we take a hit early on in the half. Kane once again picks up the ball in space to have time to turn and shoot from outside the box into the far corner; giving Courtois no chance to make it 4-1.
Hazard’s goal raises flicker of hope for Chelsea
Chelsea respond with the impressive Eden Hazard. Chelsea this time win the ball from Fazio on half way and break three on two with Fabregas and Costa either side. Hazard gets to the edge of the box, slides it to his left to Fabregas and he passes it back to Hazard who strikes the ball first time into the bottom right hand corner to make it 4-2 Tottenham and game on with around 30 minutes to go.
Chelsea continue to attack the home side and create numerous openings but just can't find the finish. Hazard, Salah, Fabregas and Azpilicueta are all denied as Chelsea surge forward.
Then the sucker punch! Chadli scores the home sides fifth goal with yet more questionable defending from this Chelsea side to make it 5-3.
Chelsea respond with a goal three minutes from time as John Terry slots the ball home from close range but it's simply not enough!
Lack of defensive shape reason for big defeat
Chelsea as always are impressive going forward and played some decent football. However, it was the first time that I can remember a Jose Mourinho side being carved open as often as we saw this evening. Credit to Tottenham for the way they played, they managed to work the ball into the space and as I said time and time again it cost us.
Jose Mourinho spoke recently that he insists on watching games he cannot understand when he gets home to try and understand what went wrong. I guess tonight he will understand that our defensive shape was awful, we were literally wide open and questions need to be asked.
We remain top of the league but now level on points with Manchester City after Frank Lampard scored their winner at home to Sunderland this afternoon.
Let's hope this is a real wake up call for everyone because this was a real nightmare!