Premier League

TOTTENHAM 0
CHELSEA 1 (Pedro 34)

CHELSEA popped by N17 and picked up three easy points in a one-sided victory that saw Thomas Frank’s Tottenham turn in another worryingly flat home performance.

Speaking after the 1-0 defeat this evening (Saturday), the Spurs manager noted his side looked fatigued. Frank said: “We lacked the energy and intensity. We couldn’t match Chelsea on the day.

“Chelsea performed well. We were the second best team. There’s no two ways about that; we’re frustrated that in a London derby, a game that means the world to the fans, it was a bad performance. One big thing is how we react to it.”

Spurs were mediocre throughout as Chelsea earned their fifth victory on the spin against their capital rivals.

Joao Pedro’s first-half finish from inside the box after Tottenham were out-hustled in possession proved enough to settle matters.

It would have been worse without goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, so often the focus of criticism, who had a blinder. The Italian shot-stopper has saved Spurs in recent weeks, and this time his heroics saw Vicario display excellent reflexes to stop Pedro and then Pedro Neto from extending Chelsea’s victory.

Tottenham’s balance simply is not there yet. Frank has tried various combinations for the front three plus an attacking midfielder – and the only player sure of a spot is Mohammed Kudus.

Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski will walk back into the first XI when fit – a fact that underlines the performances of their stand-ins.

Tottenham’s best moment came just before conceding. Vicario blocked a point blank effort and then got Spurs breaking in numbers. Kudus fired over – and two minutes later Chelsea were ahead. The home side tried to play their way out but Djed Spence turned into danger. Xavi Simons played his Dutch national teammate Micky van de Ven short. Moises Caicedo piled on the pressure and then saw the ball squirt out to Pedro.

Simons had a tough day. He was benched after playing 90 minutes in the midweek Carabao Cup defeat away at Newcastle, only to be introduced after Lucas Bergvall got a face full of football after just five minutes. Despite his protestations, Bergvall was ordered to sit it out.

Simons was like a puppy for 20 minutes, keen to seize his chance. But after committing the mistake that led to the Chelsea winner, Simons faded badly.

The fractured performance was summed up when Rodrigo Bentancur lost his rag after going in late on Reece James. He was fortunate James did not come off too badly. It showed the frustrations.

Cristian Romero gave the home side an instant morale boost when he returned as a second half substitute. He would play the last 10 as a makeshift forward. Desperate stuff.

Frank has yet to have the opportunity to pick Solanke and Kulusevski, and it showed tonight. Too often, Spurs failed to gather their wits beyond the halfway line.

Tottenham: Vicario, Porro (Udogie 72), Danso (Romero, 59), van de Ven, Spence, Joao Palhinha, Sarr, Kudus, Bentancur (Richarlison, 59), Bergvall (Simons, 3), Simons (Odobert, 72), Muani (Johnson, 72)
Substitute not used: Scarlett, Tel, Kinsky

Chelsea: Sanchez, James, Fofana (Adarabioyo, 88), Chalobah, Cucurella, Gusto (Lavia, 75), Caicedo, Pedro Neto (Estevao, 84), Fernandez, Garnacho (Bynoe-Gittens, 65), Joao Pedro
Substitutes not used: Jorgensen, Santos, Hato, Acheampong, Guiu, Lavia