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I have been ready a very long time for Tottenham to play as badly as they did in opposition to Chelsea and nonetheless get a constructive consequence.
Certainly one of my greatest criticisms of Spurs for a lot of months has been their lack of ability to place in a poor efficiency and nonetheless keep away from defeat.
All the very best Premier League groups have all the time been ready to try this – so it is vital that Antonio Conte’s aspect have now proven they will too.
I used to be already feeling very upbeat about their prospects this season anyway however what occurred in their 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge provides me much more confidence, if something.
I do know some Tottenham followers is likely to be jubilant concerning the consequence whereas additionally pondering ‘hold on, we did not play very nicely’ – however that is the rationale why they need to be even happier, particularly in a fixture with a historical past like this one.
Loads of Spurs groups of the previous – together with those I performed in – went to Chelsea, performed rather well and acquired overwhelmed. Once we did not carry out, we all the time misplaced.
On Sunday, we lastly noticed {that a} Spurs aspect can go there with out getting anyplace close to the degrees we all know they will, and nonetheless get a consequence in opposition to a Chelsea workforce that – to a person – has performed out of their pores and skin.
The flexibility to try this is what Conte was trying to find with the signings he has made, to fulfill his calls for as a supervisor.
He has gamers in his workforce now who have gotten character and set requirements in matches even when the workforce are enjoying poorly and getting dominated the best way they have been by Chelsea.
That is why Spurs weren’t overwhelmed on Sunday; as a result of they’re beginning to develop an understanding of what it means to go all the best way in video games, not to surrender – and learn how to combat.
Late equaliser will really feel further candy
I performed in loads of video games like this one the place my workforce has nicked a draw we did not deserve, away from dwelling and proper on the loss of life. You get on the coach afterwards and go ‘how the hell did that occur?’.
It appears like a win, whoever you might be enjoying, however Harry Kane’s 96th-minute equaliser will really feel particularly candy for the Spurs gamers given the opposition, and what they needed to do to get some extent at Stamford Bridge.
They have been up in opposition to a direct competitor for the highest 4, who’ve performed in all probability the very best they’ve completed for a very long time, on high of the historic rivalry between the 2 golf equipment.
I can nonetheless really feel the needle between Chelsea and Tottenham now I’m watching their video games slightly than enjoying in them.
Nothing has modified there. On Sunday you noticed precisely how a lot it meant from the best way each groups – and their managers – have been scrapping for 90-plus minutes.
Richarlison provides chunk and power
It was far too simple for Chelsea to play by Spurs within the first half, whereas the house workforce have been snapping into Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski every time they acquired the ball.
What Blues boss Thomas Tuchel did tactically for a lot of the sport was completely good, switching between 4 or 5 on the again relying on whether or not his aspect had the ball, and discovering pockets of house for his artistic gamers.
Nevertheless it was simply as spectacular by Conte to recognise what was occurring and understanding what he may change to reply and damage Chelsea.
Richarlison approaching undoubtedly shifted issues within the second half, with the chunk and power he offers and likewise by tightening up the Tottenham press.
I questioned the place the Brazil ahead would match into this Spurs workforce when he signed from Everton in the summertime, however simply having him to come back off the bench in a sport like this exhibits the progress they’ve made with their squad.
He’s the sort of participant who may have been watching every little thing that has been occurring and pondering ‘get me on, I wish to have an effect’ and, as a result of he performs on the entrance foot, you would inform he lifted the Spurs aspect immediately.
Now Conte could make modifications that depend
The fantastic thing about all of the signings Conte has made is that they offer him the depth and adaptability to make the modifications he wants.
His choices now are huge, to alter form in addition to personnel, as a substitute of him trying behind him throughout a sport and pondering ‘what is the level?’, as a result of he would possibly as nicely persist with the very best XI he has acquired on the pitch.
Tuchel was in a position to do it as nicely, when he introduced Cesar Azpilicueta on at 1-1 and pushed Reece James ahead to attain his aspect’s second objective.
What I beloved about each managers right this moment was that a lot of the tactical tweaks they made throughout the sport have been attacking strikes.
However fixing any sort of issues together with your substitutes is one other skill all the opposite high groups have, and it is one thing else Tottenham can say they will do now too.
Jermaine Jenas was talking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.
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