Match Report: Spurs and Chelsea Divide the Points as Costa Watches On

While a point at home to Chelsea may have felt like a loss to Tottenham on Sunday, the North London side have extended their impressive unbeaten run to 13 matches. Only Bayern Munich and PSG are currently on longer unbeaten runs in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season. It is their longest run without a loss since March 1985 and one of the many reasons how they’ve emerged as an unlikely title contender. 

At this stage of the season, Chelsea really could have used three points but will take solace in their performance - one which manager Jose Mourinho cited as the ‘best’ yet. After the game he said “I am more than happy with the performance. I am happy with the team collectively. It was the best Chelsea performance of the season, against a dangerous team.” 

Despite the 5-3 loss at White Hart Lane last season and their current run of form, Jose Mourinho opted to start without a recognised striker. Diego Costa became the latest player to be given the bench treatment by the manager which Costa took with the good grace you’d expect of him. Just minutes before kick-off Mourinho said he’d be starting Pedro in the ‘false nine’ position, only to have Eden Hazard take up the role. 

While they didn’t get on the score sheet, the attack headed by Hazard arguably looked more threatening than Chelsea have done for much of this season. While Hugo Lloris appeared busy, he wasn’t forced to make a save until the 68th minute. It was Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld who did more than an admirable job of keeping Hazard and company quiet. Between the two defenders, they made 24 clearances, with Lloris making another 4.  

At the other end of the pitch, Asmir Begovic was kept a little busier by Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son. The Bosnian international made 4 saves to keep his side in it. Although Chelsea’s defence did not play a particularly high line, Tottenham did not appear confident that they could break them down and opted to take 7 of their 9 shots from outside the box.  

The long mid-week trip to Azerbaijan appeared to take it’s toll on the home side. While they started brightly, the final 20 minutes was more about absorbing pressure and ensuring they didn’t concede rather than taking the game to Chelsea. In the last two seasons, a fixture following a Europa League fixture would most likely have been a loss. Sunday’s game highlights the positive impact Mauricio Pochettino continues to have on this Spurs side. 

While there were a few question marks from some of the Chelsea players - mostly in Cesc Fàbregas’ ability to take a free-kick - Mourinho would have been pleased with the defensive solidity in a back four that did not include injured John Terry and how well his front four attacked and overlapped as a unit. Without the focal point of Diego Costa, Chelsea used the width of the pitch more effectively than they had done all season, while they all dropped back to help defend.

The ‘phenomenal’ Eden Hazard won possession in the middle third more times (4) than any other player on the pitch while Willian and Pedro each won possession 4 times in the defensive third, only Gary Cahill (6) and Danny Rose (5) were busier. It’s unlikely that Mourinho will keep Costa on the bench, but between hamstrings and suspensions, Mourinho will take solace in playing a similar formation in future.

Will Tottenham or Chelsea finish in the top four this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below