LONDON — Is it possible that only 15 days have passed since the great triumph of Ange Postecoglou’s mandate? By crushing Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, Tottenham had made a compelling argument that attention should really be paid to all metrics except points. The three subsequent games offer a much more worrying counterargument: xG, goal difference, whatever other statistic you care to mention, simply do not capture the fragility of this team, a team that dares you to deploy the “S.” word.
Because what was this if not Spursy? Two goals that were given to them by a Chelsea defense that could not stand up and, however, it is Tottenham that ends up crashing to the canvas. Marc Cucurella’s early mistakes would surely be the most disastrous performance of the weekend. Hold my beer, let’s say Tottenham. Two penalties awarded to their west London rivals just to level things up, between four defenders escorting Cole Palmer into a prime central position, Chelsea’s title hopes rose at Three Point Lane.
These days are important for the progress of Postecoglou. There is no shortage of evidence for the argument that the Spurs are a better team for having had this coach since the start of last season, but any project whose vision extends to the long term needs to win the acceptance of its constituents. One point from six league games against Chelsea and Arsenal is not the way to get it. Two of the most absorbing and entertaining derbies in England and the joke always seems to be directed at Tottenham.
The joke is even more effective given that the setup had prepared you for a quite different joke. This is a rivalry that has not been afraid to make nonsense its main occupation in recent years. The handshake between Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte and Nicolas Jackson’s quest for the most disappointing treble in football had set the bar high. Marc Cucurella almost slipped under him.
There was certainly something about a field drenched by Storm Darragh that gave it a Disney-on-ice feel, the kind of production you can imagine the Spurs would like to poach just for another 20-odd days of stadium use. Still, it was hard to feel much sympathy for Cucurella when, 11 minutes in, he bounded onto the touchline in search of a new pair of boots. Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski managed to stay on their feet at the most decisive moment.
At the time, this seemed more like a case of trying to re-shoe the horse long after it had bolted. Solanke opened the scoring against his former club with an elegant shot at the near post. Kulusevski looked imperious, galloping in front of Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernández, always finding himself in places where he had multiple options ahead of him. Heung-min Son’s eyes lit up every time Moisés Caicedo switched in midfield. A quick ball in transition and it was gone. Perhaps the Spurs captain at the peak of his powers would have lowered his effort a little more midway through the first half.
That would have served to calm the nerves that had plagued a previously raucous home faithful after Jadon Sancho halved the deficit in brilliant style. Driving into the field on the left, he attracted three white shirts without suspecting that he might concede possession. Instead, a player who would spend the rest of his 90 minutes elegantly building attacks around the block was let fly, Fraser Forster unable to get a glove on the ball.
From then on, this seemed more like a game the Spurs lost in moments. No doubt their task would be easier if they had retained more possession; Allowing your opponents 70% of the ball in your own half should be a matter of discomfort for any major Premier League. It probably didn’t help that Cristian Romero’s comeback from injury lasted just 15 minutes, although Radu Dragusin did well to both keep up with Jackson and then block his shot. However, when his centre-back partner Micky van de Ven departed with 10 minutes of added time left, it was clearly a lost cause.
It didn’t have to be like this. The opportunities came for Spurs, Son missed the goal with another from a privileged position, Solanke could not reverse a cutback. With a better finish, they could have won this. It’s worth keeping in mind for Daniel Levy when he feels compelled to consider Postecoglou’s future. Tottenham can still have their moments against a team that is really taking on the look of a title contender.
However, the most basic of flaws in Tottenham’s structure appear unaddressed 18 months into the manager’s tenure. This team’s ability to make things difficult for themselves is seemingly limitless. The good play of the rivals on the edge of the area generated panic in the last hour. Sancho’s quick feet and direct pass had left Caicedo, perhaps lucky to be on the field after a strong first-half tackle on Pape Matar Sarr, in a good position, but not dangerous enough for Yves Bissouma to have You throw your body towards the ball and hope. Certainly not when Palmer takes off from the penalty spot.
Palmer’s trickery makes him a challenge for two defenders, let alone one. However, when four converge on him, the cross simply cannot reach. Enzo Fernández did what he had done every time the ball crossed his path and made it jump. It never ended there. A push from Sarr on Palmer, leaving the area, and the cunning ones were already back home before Palmer’s panenka.
They knew what was coming. So, as feared, did Spurs, who woke up too late to turn the tide when Son’s goal finally came in the sixth of seven minutes of added time. Tottenham had timidly approached the most favorable position they could imagine, convinced that they were not the team that surprised the champions. If they can’t be convinced of the best moments of this project, how will others be?
