Chelsea will be doing some soul searching this week after losing their first top flight fixture to Tottenham at Stamford Bridge since 1990. Not only does the defeat represent how their London rivalry has balanced out in recent years, but it also essentially ends their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
The west Londoners actually started the match on the front foot, looking potent on the counter-attack and finding the net through Alvaro Morata. But Christian Eriksen’s superb effort from long range was a real turning point and it was Tottenham who moved into the ascendancy, eventually claiming a 3-1 win as Dele Alli scored twice in the second 45 minutes.
Earlier this week, we asked Chelsea fans to issue player ratings for each of the individuals involved in the defeat. Here’s a rundown of the three starters who disappointed them most vs Tottenham, picking up the lowest average ratings…
Victor Moses – 3.9: He provided the assist for Morata’s goal with a cross that perplexed Hugo Lloris but the Nigerian international overall failed to take advantage of the space he was allowed down the right flank, particularly in the first half when Tottenham’s build-up play became increasingly narrow. Gave the ball away for Eriksen’s goal and was eventually hauled off for Olivier Giroud in a late formation change from Antonio Conte.
Eden Hazard – 3.6: Still finished the match with six created chances to his name, but Eden Hazard’s impact was nonetheless minimal compared to his usual standards, failing to once test Lloris despite the Frenchman’s early error. The Belgian’s influence waned as the game went on and he struggled to provide that moment of magic Chelsea desperately needed in such an important game.
Cesc Fabregas – 2.9: It was an incredibly difficult outing for the former Arsenal captain who struggled to find room in a congested midfield and failed to provide adequate protection for the three central defenders behind him. Finished up with more tackles than created chances, which pretty much sums up how Fabregas never really found a way of utilising his greatest assets – his passing and vision – against the Lilywhites.
View the player ratings results in full below
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