Tottenham was eliminated from League Cup in the most Spursy way I've ever seen. You might say there is second leg, but when we count all what we saw there is only question how many goals they will concede in second leg. Only 5-15 minutes of serious play was enough for those players to start making assistance to opponents or to score own goals. Squad which draw with inflamed Everton or Brighton totally destroyed those North London ignorant.
They needed only 30 seconds for first chance when Zyech escaped from Doherty and Davies on Tottenham left. Rocket shots from outside box were very often but fortunately ended wide of goal. Two midfielders Skipp and Hojbjerg were left all alone to play against 4 Chelsea players in that region. "Big stars" from forward didn't bother to track blues back and just jogged around center. Chelsea thus had advantage in midfield and completely dominate. However they are out of form and would have trouble to score goal. Fortunately for them there was man in Tottenham ready to help them. His name is Japhet Tanganga Chelsea's man of the match if you ask me.
First he made horrific short and slow pass toward teammate on right which was intercepted and converted into two on one situation and goal. We'd never know if that shot by Chelsea player would end inside goal because Davinson Sanchez tapped it in in attempt to clear ball. I count Tanganga 100% responsible for this goal. Lad can't pass easy ball to team mate! Hard to believe but it's true.
Soon after he made another gaff. High ball inside 5m, Hugo behind him, no opponent players near by and he tried to clear it but instead of that he cracked ball into Ben Davies and ball deflected from him into goal. How Spursy does this sound to you ? It was 2:0 and game over.
For fact it was not 3 or more we can thank to Lukaku who missed big chance after beating Sanchez in high duel on 6-7 m from goal, but his effort ended wide like many other. What did Son, Lucas and Kane you might ask? Nothing! They were cut off around center waited for ball to come to them, but in rare occasions when ball went there Chelsea player was behind their neck and prevent them from doing anything.
Reaction on half time was Doherty out Ndombele in and push Davies on left back. Spurs then did some fight in the middle, were able to come closer to goal, but didn't create anything while Chelsea had dangerous counter attacks missed by Zyech, Warner and Lukaku. Tanganga did one incredible clearance but from Chelsea box when he tried to do header but hit ball with top of his head for world class clearance. I don't know what did he search in pitch in second half at all after that display from first.
Conte then changed Son and Lucas and put Lo Celso and Gil in. Gil made only moment worth mentioning in front of Chelsea goal. He beat his men on left storm inside box, made low cross, but attempt was deflected by Kepa and just when mcDonalds lover Ndobmele wanted to pick up ball and shoot someone kicked him instead of ball. He fell but penalty was not given. VAR didn't check this just like it didn't check deliberate elbow in face of England captain few moments before. Perpetrator escaped with just yellow card. Maybe Tuchel would have something to say about this elbow. I remember his statement "I love Mane but that was red card". Will he ask why his player didn't get red card now ? Of course he will not. He's same type like Klopp.
My view of the game is that Conte picked up wrong squad and wrong tactics for this opponent. In interview before he said he sees Rodon like replacement for Dier on his position in the middle of defense, but when Dier went covid positive he didn't let Rodon play but move Sanchez in that role and put Tanganga in right center back. It was big mistake and it was clear Tanganga is out of form. Other solution with Doherty on left was enforced because Reggi was not fit to play. I can understand that. Tactical wrong was to play with 2 midfielders. He should adjust tactics to have at least one more player there. It was clear it's not working after 10 minutes, but he didn't change it until half time.
His statement after "We saw gap between teams","if I tell you we can fix this in one transfer window I'd lie to you' is understandable, but I can't escape feeling that we could end this game better if he picked up better tactics and Rodon instead of Tanganga who's not into football anymore obviously. I thought he will be player, but I am sure he will not become that now. He is not right back, he is not right wing back, he is not left back, he is not central back, he is nothing! Put him on list to go to QPR together with Dele Alli! Let's see if they can play in Championship with success! There is their Champions league! Before that ensure to shave that Tanganga's face because beard like that looks ugly. Nice haircut on Alli would not bother too!
Word about attack now. Kane tried to do something contrary to Son and Lucas who were horrific and impotent in attack to the point of despair. They were unable to do anything useful entire game! Gil made more in his 10-15 minutes than Son in his 75! Those clubs are playing in 7 days again and then soon again on Stamford Bridge. You can bet your house Spurs will lose that game too with good goal margin.
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