Chelsea moved the ball forward, finding Moises Caicedo in Tottenham`s half without pressure. A pass went to Pedro Neto on the wing, who had space and options. However, Neto`s pass was inaccurate, letting Spurs off the hook momentarily.
But conceding seemed inevitable. A team neglecting their defense and losing its manager`s intended style is unlikely to keep a clean sheet.
Ange Postecoglou`s team, while not defensively renowned, previously had a clear plan. Tottenham would press intensely, risking shots against them but aiming to quickly regain possession and score.
Recently, this style has been absent. Against Chelsea, Tottenham lacked defensive pressure. Chelsea easily recovered possession in dangerous areas. While Postecoglou adjusted his aggressive approach earlier in the season due to injuries, weakening the team, key defenders are now back.
Despite the return of Romero, Van de Ven, Vicario, and Udogie, defensive disorganization persists. Tottenham`s defending appears passive and slow to react.
Chelsea often gained possession easily and faced a slow, disorganized Tottenham defense. Their midfield, mainly Rodrigo Bentancur, struggled to protect the backline. Chelsea exploited spaces, with Palmer having freedom on the flank. Only Chelsea`s lack of sharpness prevented an earlier, larger defeat before Fernandez scored from Palmer`s cross.
Tottenham`s defensive issues might be overlooked if their attack was strong, but it has also declined. Their expected goals have significantly decreased since January, ranking low in the league. Before a late save against Son, they lacked clear scoring chances in this match.
This poor performance has increased tension between Postecoglou and Tottenham fans. Substitutions during the game were met with negative chants from fans, questioning the manager`s decisions. Postecoglou sarcastically reacted to the crowd after a goal.
This situation reflects a worrying trend for Postecoglou`s Tottenham. A promising start with clear principles has devolved into inconsistent performances. With numerous defeats and poor league position, and potential Europa League exit looming, Tottenham needs to address their defensive issues urgently.
