Chelsea vs Spurs: The One That Spurs Quit Champions League For

Diego Will Stare Into Your Soul

Much has been made this week about European competition and the direct effect it has on domestic results. But what’s the point of fighting to qualify for a competition if you’re only going to whinge about being in it? Tottenham took it a step further and essentially chose a result at Stamford Bridge rather than continuing on in the Champions League.

What they hadn’t planned on was the result which they came away with. Even if they’d won, three points likely won’t make or break their season come May. But a mid-week mishap at Monaco would would mean the end of their Champions League campaign, so why prioritise the domestic game? Why give up Champions League to get a domestic result in hopes of — qualifying for Champions League?

There is a chance the Mauricio Pochettino underestimated their opponents. But going into the game, Monaco were averaging 3 goals a game - they’d scored more than any other team in Europe’s top 5 leagues. Of all the games Spurs had this month, that was probably the last one you’d want to give your defenders a night off.

All that rest did Tottenham *some* good. They certainly started better than they did against West Ham last weekend. And were the first team to put a goal past Thibaut Courtois since September. While Christian Eriksen was horrifically unmarked, it was a superb goal. Chelsea were always going to concede at some point, and can take solace in it at least being a top effort. Imagine it had been some jammy little bastard that just creeped limply over the line? 

Tottenham continued to test the solidity of Chelsea’s system at the back. While they managed to get in behind the defence more than anyone else has managed in the last 6 weeks, it was enough to do any damage at all. Moments before half time they found things back on equal footing courtesy of the moustachioed maestro.

Pedro seemed to create his goal from almost nothing. Tottenham did well to close him down and he clearly thought ‘sod it, I’m having a go’. He’s been in England long enough to think in exactly those words. Stop questioning it. The momentum had well and truly swung. The wait would continue for Tottenham — 26 years. 30 matches. 

While Pedro hands down had the goal of the game, it was the winner that has drawn the mis-directed plaudits. It was Eden Hazard and Diego Costa who combined down Spurs left flank after picking up the ball on the halfway line. Once in an attacking position, the Sprazilian fought of about 73 Tottenham players managing to get the ball into nothing but space.

Cudicini has forgot what to do with his hands - he's that happy

You know, space because the entire Spurs side were marking Costa and Hazard. Victor Moses picked up the ball to find Hugo Lloris who knocked it into Jan Vertonghen’s bathing suit parts. And with a thrust of the hips, the ball was propelled into the back of the net.

It’s always great when fringe players get a good run of games and fans appreciate them, but maybe, just maybe, the fetishisation of Victor Moses has gone a step too far now. It’s always good to back your players, especially in the ground. The positive energy will boost their confidence and translate in performances. But there’s now chat of him in player of the year contention. Stop it. Being better than expected does not translate to player of the year. Especially when you have players like Costa who is scoring goals for fun and Eden Hazard who is literally running circles around the opposition.

Enjoy the surprise of not being useless. But also remember the unsung heroes that have been largely responsible for the success of Chelsea’s defence this season. Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kanté are pulling the strings so others can have a bit of a jolly up and down the touchline. 

Mini shout-out to Diego Costa for going EIGHT games without a booking. Rumour has it Antonio Conte insists there can only ever be one maniacal presence in and around the ground on match days and that it has to be him. Costa is required to channel his focus into scoring goals and sorting out his socks.

Roll on Saturday where Chelsea could be the first team, Manchester United AND City included, to win a Premier League game in actual Manchester.

jb xx