Overview

Another big game, another Chelsea victory and another clean sheet. Despite a slow first 45 minutes, the Blues romped to a comfortable win due to individual superiority and some clever tactical changes from Thomas Tuchel.

Spurs had the upper hand to begin the game and tested Chelsea like few teams have this season. It took a great Silva header, a lot better than it initially looked, to reverse the momentum. However, once the first goal was scored, Spurs had no chance of getting back due to the organization of Tuchel’s men.

There are still areas to improve, mainly chance creation when the game-state is even. Besides the header, Chelsea also scored a lucky deflected goal to put the game to bed. Will it happen again? Probably not. Will the win provide the confidence to improve even further? Emphatically yes.

Once the score was 2-0, Chelsea cut through Spurs with ease and could have scored even more. Ironically, we scored our goals from weak chances and missed some very good opportunities late in the game. Onwards and upwards.

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Match statistics

Stats are from fbref and understat.

Note: some statistics on the player charts might not corroborate with those presented in the “stats of note” sections. This is because the stats for the charts are obtained from a different source and not fbref. In most cases, the differences will be minimal.

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Individual ratings

Thomas Tuchel

Like almost the entire team, Tuchel had a performance of two halves. Spurs had the better of the opening period but our defensive organization meant they could not create meaningful chances. Tuchel’s decision to bring on Kanté proved to be a masterstroke, changing the momentum and deciding the game.

However, the positioning of Havertz and Mount was puzzling. Havertz’s best performances have come as a lone or support striker and Mount’s best performances have come as a hybrid central-offensive midfielder. Playing them, in essence, as wingers meant they did not have many chances to showcase their qualities and when they did, their execution was lacking.

RATING: 7.5

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Kepa Arrizabalaga — GK

Did not have to do much in the way of shot-stopping — Spurs’ best chance would have been flagged for offside anyway — but the other aspects of his performance were thoroughly commendable.

Stats of note
2 saves
6 passes completed over 40 yards (8 attempted)
1 cross collected (8 faced)
1 defensive action outside the box

RATING: 6.5

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Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images

César Azpilicueta — RWB

Had a typically understated performance, doing the basics perfectly and complementing his teammates in the second half. While he could have been slightly more adventurous when attacking, that does not take anything away from his performance.

Stats of note
5 shot-creating actions - Joint 2nd
3 key passes - Joint 2nd
6 touches in box - Joint 2nd
10 loose-ball recoveries - 3rd

RATING: 6.5

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Andreas Christensen — RCB

Tottenham’s plan to drop Kane deeper on the left failed because of Christensen’s awesome performance. He was equally comfortable defending in the box and stepping out to be more proactive.

Stats of note
4 interceptions - 1st
2 passes into box - Joint 1st
8 clearances - Joint 1st
4 aerial duels won (5 contested) - Joint 1st
2 tackles - Joint 2nd

RATING: 8

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Thiago Silva — CB

Dropped a masterclass in defending, thwarting everything Spurs did. Nuno’s plan to match-up Son against an old defender was perfect in theory but did not account for the fact Silva is an old defender only in name. Thiago bossed Spurs’ most dangerous player on both sides of the ball, and even scored a remarkable header to open the scoring.

Stats of note
1 goal
16 loose-ball recoveries - 1st
8 clearances - Joint 1st
4 aerial duels won (5 contested) - Joint 1st
3 interceptions - Joint 2nd

RATING: 8.5

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Antonio Rüdiger — LCB

A striker’s finish capped off a rock-solid performance. It is fitting that he scored a goal against the team he was nearly loaned out to this time 12 months ago.

Stats of note
1 goal
2 passes into box - Joint 1st
5 shot-creating actions - Joint 2nd
3 clearances - 3rd

RATING: 7.5

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Marcos Alonso — LWB

As he routinely does against Tottenham, Alonso had an explosive performance. His progressive passing and carrying was second to none and even his crossing was at high levels. He was as active as ever in terms of receiving the ball in the final third, making it a complete wing-back performance.

Stats of note
1 assist
4 shots - 1st
4 key passes - 1st
7 progressive passes - 1st
10 progressive carries - 1st
7 passes into final third - 2nd

6 touches in box - Joint 2nd
5 shot-creating actions - Joint 2nd
2 tackles - Joint 2nd
3 interceptions - Joint 2nd
11 pressures - 3rd
5 progressive passes received - Joint 3rd

RATING: 8.5

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Jorginho — RCM

Held his own defensively but was not at his best in terms of moving the ball.

Stats of note
8 passes into final third - 1st

2 successful dribbles (2 attempted) - Joint 1st
2 carries into final third - Joint 1st
19 pressures - 2nd
12 loose-ball recoveries - 2nd
2 tackles - Joint 2nd

RATING: 6.5

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Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Mateo Kovačić — LCM

Looked great defensively, acting as a pest every time Spurs tried to build through midfield. It was business as usual on the ball for him, doing great progressive work and even getting involved in offensive chains. Tuchel now has an enviable headache in terms of choosing his starting midfield duo.

Stats of note
1 assist
6 shot-creating actions - 1st
9 tackles - 1st
25 pressures - 1st
2 successful dribbles (3 attempted) - Joint 1st
2 carries into final third - Joint 1st
6 progressive passes - 2nd
9 progressive carries - 2nd

5 passes into final third - 3rd

RATING: 7.5

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Mason Mount — RW/R-AM

Had a thoroughly disappointing game on all fronts. There is not much else to say besides the fact he was alarmingly bad in almost all aspects.

Stats of note
N/A

RATING: 5

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Romelu Lukaku – CF

After a slow first-half, Lukaku burst into life in the second with his associative play and smart off-ball runs. He should have at least one assist, if not two, and could have well bagged a goal if not for some smart saves and blocks.

As an aside, Lukaku’s Chelsea start compares quite well to Diego Costa’s — considering the quality of opponents. Here’s hoping he can enjoy the same success, at least.

Stats of note
8 touches in box - 1st
2 carries into box - 1st
2 passes into box - Joint 1st
2 successful dribbles (2 attempted) - Joint 1st
4 aerial duels won (6 contested) - Joint 1st
6 progressive passes received - 2nd
3 shots - Joint 2nd
3 key passes - Joint 2nd
2 tackles - Joint 2nd

RATING: 7.5

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Kai Havertz – LW/L-AM

Like Mount, Havertz was also bad but to a lesser extent. With Havertz, the most disappointing aspect of his performance was his inability to win duels — 1 duel won out of 16 is a terrible statistic — and his weak execution.

That said, as mentioned earlier, both Mount and Havertz were both put in uncomfortable positions. Their best performances have come while being central with some possessions out wide. However, they were pushed too wide against Spurs and this difference in zones certainly had an impact on their performance.

Stats of note
9 progressive passes received - 1st
2 carries into final third - Joint 1st
3 shots - Joint 2nd
7 progressive carries - 3rd

RATING: 5.5

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Substitutes

Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images

N’Golo Kanté (46th minute) – His introduction turned the game on its head, with his dynamism and intelligence deciding the match in our favour. There can be no doubt that he is the best midfielder in the world.

Stats of note
1 goal
2 tackles - Joint 2nd
5 progressive passes - 3rd

RATING: 7.5

Timo Werner (70th minute) – Got an assist but also missed a couple of presentable chances. His pace and ability to stretch defences proved invaluable when Spurs pushed up.

Stats of note
1 assist
5 progressive passes received - Joint 3rd