Chelsea 1 Spurs 3
Morata 30, Eriksen 45+1 Alli 62 Alli 66
The first 14 minutes were uneventful.
Apart from Dembele treading on the chest of Victor Moses.
Two minutes later I was thinking, “This could still be as high-scoring game.”
When Willian had a deflected shot well saved by Hugo Lloris, Martin Tyler said, “Beware the wing-backs!”
Then Moses had a shot that deflected off Vertonghen and Lloris saved again.
Jamie Redknapp noted that Tottenham can afford to draw, while Chelsea badly need a win to have a chance of finishing in the top four.
When Rudiger broke forward and diagonally from left centreback, Ben Davies left Moses in 20 yards of space and he provided a nicely measured cross that gave Alvaro Morata a free header for 1-0.
Hugo Lloris went to punch but never got within a yard of the ball.
Christian Eriksen had a 50-50 but that ball was always favouring keeper Willy Caballero, and he tried a shot from distance that Caballero patted down. I had begun to feel that Spurs would not get to half-time without conceding again.
But then Dele Alli chased a ball near the corner flag to keep it in play with a back-heel.That went to Moses, who made a sloppy pass to Davies, who passed briskly infield to Christian Eriksen.
The Dane fired an outrageous dipping shot that flew over Caballero and just under the crossbar for 1-1. What a missile!
Since 2013 he’s scored 16 goals from outside the box.
The trouble with wingbacks is that they bring midfield habits into the rear third and drop clangers.
Yes, Chelsea had bossed the game for 45 minutes. But that goal 17 seconds into stoppage time turned the contest upside down.
HT score: 1-1
Second half, Pochettino switched his attack around, putting Son on the right flank and pushing Eriksen up just behind Lamella, with Alli more on the left, and after that Spurs got on top and stayed on top.
When Son hit a rocket shot, keeper Willy Caballero tipped it away for a corner.
In 62, Eric Dier released Dele Alli with a straight ball down the middle and Dele’s perfect touch preceded an instashot that kissed the near post on the way in.
Wow! A Denis Law goal from a Pat Crerand pass.So incisive and dynamic.
Typical Dele: pure power,very few touches.
In 64, Willian replied with a fierce shot that flew just past the post.
In 66, when a Lamela shot was blocked, a scramble developed and Dele swooped like a falcon. Far too fast and quick-witted for the defenders, he switched the ball from right foot to left before making it 3-1.
Spurs were now 7-4 up on goal attempts and Pochettino brought Harry Kane on for Son and Kane made a long run down the left flank. This was the centre forward’s first appearance after three weeks out with an ankle injury.
In 81,Wanyama and Giroud came on for Dier and Moses.
Vertonghen had a colossal game but was lucky not to be booked by ref Andre Marriner when his studs rammed into the ankle of Hazard in centrefield.
Co-commentator Gary Neville praised Tottenham’s game-management during 80-90 and four minutes of extra time didn’t produce anything dramatic.
Martin Tyler told us that Spurs had not won at Stamford Bridge since David Howells and Gary Lineker scored there in February 1990.
I like Chelsea but I hope Spurs don’t have to wait another 28 years for their next victory at the Bridge.
Chelsea still miss Diego Costa hugely.
And in this game they needed David Luiz, their biggest gladiator,who has been sidelined by Conte. What a self-defeating folly that is.
This was Chelsea’s ninth defeat in the Premier League and leaves them eight points below Spurs with seven games left to play.
Spurs are 11 points above sixth-placed Arsenal.
CHELSEA: Caballero; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian, Morata, Hazard. Subs: Eduardo, Cahill, Palmieri, Bakayoko, Drinkwater, Hudson-Odoi, Giroud.
TOTTENHAM: Lloris; Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele; Eriksen, Alli, Lamela; Son. Subs: Vorm, Aurier, Rose, Wanyama, Sissoko (for Lamella 88), Lucas, Kane (for Son 73). Referee: Andre Marriner.
PS. Was reminded of this drama at White Hart Lane. http://arsenalnewsreview.co.uk/wp/who-else-backed-dele-alli-at-14-1-to-score-two-goals-against-chelsea/