Spurs lose 0-0
I wasn’t that nervous before the Chelsea game. I’m not too sure why considering how much I despise losing to them. I didn’t feel the pressure, as a mere supporter and spectator. Perhaps it’s yet another consequence of the season that’s unfolding. The detachment gives me a buffer that perhaps protects me from the usual ‘in ya face’ aftermath that you often can’t get away from when your side has lost. Gloating fans celebrating, singing. It’s okay if our lot are making the noise, not so great if it’s them lot. No fans in attendance is pretty much like watching a movie with no soundtrack to assist the emotional rollercoaster you’re about to ride on.
I was still apprehensive about the narrative that was about to entertain us all. I should have been focused on the reality that the game was barely going to entertain. Were Spurs about to prove their worth as a counter attacking side, astute and patient or would Frank Lampard’s team be too overly cautious in committing and thus push the game into the limbo or intellectual boredom and thus a 0-0?
Spoiler. 0-0.
The match-up played out like a game of chess. A game of chess played with moves sent via email. Such was the lack of genuine drama and high intensity. I think this is again testament to the aforementioned unfolding season of high level football with no 12th man to assist with a rewrite of the script both managers have set out.
Mourinho was mighty fine playing the game of patience and Chelsea were instructed to be less flamboyant with their attacking. Lampard suggested this in his post-game interview, acknowledging the dangers that this Spurs team can inflict on the break. Which made the game into one that was heavily reliant on something happening out of the ordinary, be it a mistake or a moment of quality. Instead, both sides mustered up some half chances, decent crosses, some misplaced passing and some generally wasteful moments in the moment. But nothing that was particularly offensive for either side.
I’ll do my best here to try and recall some relevant details. Paint a picture with a broken brush and two colours left on the palette.
Bergwijn had an effort after neat play, sending it well over the bar. Serge slipped, Werner scored but was thankfully offside. A reminder Chelsea can take their chances when gifted. Ndombele was representing with midfield moves, balance, getting away from players with wonderful gravity defying beauty. Then he produced more footwork outside the pen box, powering a shot, which was saved.
The first half was what we probably all expected. Spurs countering. Chelsea countering the counter with concentrated possession. Cautious football from all concerned. Two teams, drilled, not wishing to give the other an opportunity of chance via over-exuberance.
”Based on the first half, and form this season, a defeat here doesn’t hurt either team in terms of their league ambitions. Both will continue to aim high. Two astute sides. But a win will definitely galvanise”
This was my half time punditry in a tweet.
The second half, unfortunately, was a lesser version of the first. Chelsea had more pockets of possession and asked more questions of our defence but it was all still a little low in tempo. Yes, there was urgency and the team passing was occasionally bright from both sides - but it was all foreplay and no penetration.
James with a delicious cross, Abraham not connecting. More danger from wide, from James again. Reg winning a freekick, and making sure a yellow was handed out with an exaggeration after being half hit in the face (James booked). Players making sacrifices to protect themselves from defeat, all over the pitch.
Can you see the repetition here. I’m going round in a circle.
The game needed an early goal. That would have forced a change to both managers game management. Alas, we did not get it. And whilst I’m going around and around in this circle, it’s worth repeating this nugget again; These games suffer massively from not having a full capacity of fans screaming hate at each other. Obviously. The comfort of the instructed application is never at risk thanks to the empty stands. Having 4k in attendance in the weeks ahead will possibly not even puncture that necessity to play to the crowd. Because the crowd will be wearing masks and socially distanced.
Chelsea came close with another cross through to the body of Abraham. Like the others, it came to nothing. Lo Celso was subbed on. Ndombele came off. Like for like. Tanguy faded, good shift but the second half had been less productive.
Chelsea still providing slightly more energy to get forward, a touch sharper. I actually felt anxious for the first time as the minutes towards the games conclusion started to tick away. It felt ominous. Spurs levels of aggression remained somewhat lacking. Harry Kane was ghosting, it was one of those games where everyone had to stick in a selfless shift. Spurs with no room to break, to counter-slap the hosts. There wasn’t really a clear rhythm to proceedings. Nothing to grab hold of. Chelsea persisted with always being a few inches off with their final ball or attempt to connect to it.
81st. Mount, loads of time to aim and fire in. Hugo with the diving save. Son cross from inside the area, Mendy palmed away. Lo Celso almost finding a through ball to Son.
Again, bits and pieces, never quite the finished article of output.
Ben Davies came on for Berg. Jose at this point cementing the 0-0. Berg grafted hard but his final ball wasn’t composed enough. Shame we didn’t see Bale. Bigger shame Dele was sit at home.
New boy Joe Rodon spitting blood, elbow to the face. Lucas on for Son. 91st min. The game is practically done.
Almost done.
Then drama.
Sort of it. Giroud falling to chip it over Hugo. Joe’s header back was raw and short. I guess we got away with it but the French striker was never alert enough, he didn’t quite expect to find himself with the opportunity. Then down the other end Chelsea give the ball away and almost, ALMOST handed us the three points. But we instead choose not to take them. Lo Celso playing a Communist ball that goes out for a goal kick when he clearly had better options.
Dull game. No argument about that. A single shot on target but that’s downplaying things a touch. We had chances. They had chances. But these games are the building blocks for belief and for protecting momentum. No really, they are. Not every game is a Mona Lisa. Sometimes you have to make do with a Jackson Pollock and pretend you understand it.
That’s now our third clean sheet on the trot. Rodon accepted accountability for his mistakes in his post game interview. He impressed me regardless of the rough diamond shine. I loved the cut of his jib (and his lip).
In the end, Spurs are still sat top of the league. New Spurs doing professionalism, PowerPoint perfect. Getting it done ugly. Our record against the Top 6 is so far so good. That’s four points from City and Chelsea. Win next Sunday and the complexion once more enhances to extreme positively again.
Belief will out weight everything. Application will be easy to achieve because of it.
I did enjoy Jose Mourinho’s “the players are not happy” comment when speaking after the game. Kidology? Perhaps. But it’s reassuring that I believe that our players think that. Even if Jose is content and happy with the point, he has a hungry set of players if they feel frustrated they didn’t get more out of the game. He’s creating his own siege mentality fortress and I’m fully here for it, I want to move in with them at Hotspur Way. Play a bit of cricket with the lads.
Love it.
This is good. Let’s enjoy the progress. Yet another game where we nod knowingly at our winners mentality and pray to the Footballing Gods we get hold of some winners medals to go alongside it.
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