Vertongen was holding his head and rolling around giving the impression Torres had just thumped him in the face! That's why he was sent off! Laughable decision As for 'raking' his face. Yes he got a hold of his face but 'raking' it? It's a yellow card every day of the week. I'm happy with a point but there is a slightly bitter taste. We have played 3 very tough away games though... Onwards and upwards for us
Thought Spurs were fantastic in the first 30 minutes - dominated the game with everyone putting in a good shift. But Chelsea got back into the game and I think both teams can be relieved the other didn't score a second goal. Am slightly disappointed with a draw unless Spurs win or draw at Chelsea. Was a little surprised to see the Townsend-Chadli substitution as on the whole Townsend was a threat to them. Mind you, Chadli did show some promising touches and I guess AVB wants to see more of him. Re Torres and the face scratching, imagine if Suarez had done that!
Probably due to Spurs starting extremely well and it looked like they could win the game. But it went downhill from thereon, although Spurs did well not to concede a second goal.
Poor 2nd half performance? Chadli substitution? Didn't win against 10 men? Failing to beat Chelsea for about the millionth time when well on top at the half?
Think we were lucky there overall - Chelsea were the better team. For me that showed several of our obvious weaknesses. Naughton is well out of his depth in a game like this (and many others beside). We have really shot ourselves in the foot in that we have gone from such strength there (BAE with Rose back-up) to such weakness. If possible I would rather see Vertonghen play there. When he switched to there in one of the Europa games we suddenly had presence and attacking intent from that side. But then we need Kaboul and then Chiriches is our only CB on the bench (and had a mare of a debut). Still seen nothing from Chadli, nor Lamela and, tbh, Paulinho has looked useful enough but have any of his Premier league performances been more than a solid 7/10 (didn't see the cardiff game)? Sandro needs to start and after today's game I'm tempted to have him and Dembele try to form a partnership again. Dembele is well open to criticism but if (as he did today a couple of times) he can just get an effective, simple ball on the end of one of his runs he's could really open up teams (more than most in this team, anyway). Sandro would actually be one of the first names down on my team sheet - I rate him massively and he's never let us down in big games. Eriksen faded badly in the second half so then we're relying a lot on Holtby who's also still feeling his way into the league. We've got all these numbers in midfield now but many are taking time to settle and a good portion of them won't make it at this level. Townsend might fall into this category though why he was taken off today was a mystery - one of our biggest threats replaced by someone who's shown precious little so far. Starting to worry a tiny bit about Bobby Soldado too - he struggled to get into the game again today. He's obviously a very decent player but is taking time to adapt. Think that swapping Defoe/Soldado's respective starting spots in the EPL/EL might be in the best interests of everyone. Not sure though (goals in the EL might help Bobby but then again he needs the EPL experience). Certainly hope that Adebayor can also come back as a realistic option there too. Kyle Walker's suddenly become one of the most threatening-looking Spurs players. I'm not sure if that's a good sign or a bad one. Looking forward to Lennon getting fit but I for one am still waiting to see where the consistent creative spark is going to come from in this team. Eriksen looking very promising, though and Holtby feeling his way in nicely now too as I said but still our midfield looks a long way behind, say, Chelsea's right now. Lloris was very good today. Take the point today but this team has a way to go in gelling and adapting to one another. And with our new signings just remember that a good half (at least) of signings don't work out that great. Just hope that the others turn out excellent (as they may well might). Sorry for massive post again.
He's had by far the most touches of any of our players, prior to this game. Doubt that's changed much, but these were the stats before kick-off: Kyle Walker: 502 Michael Dawson: 378 Paulinho: 364 Danny Rose: 324 Mousa Dembele: 290
Compare todays game with Arsenal v Spurs. The atmosphere... passion... hatred.... was all there today. Spurs v Chelsea is the London derby.
Paulinho has looked useful enough but have any of his Premier league performances been more than a solid 7/10 (didn't see the cardiff game)? ============================================================ he was poor in that game as well, except for his (admittedly quality) finish at the end.
The BBC say Torres was "unlucky" to be sent off. In other words, they're ignoring the numerous niggly fouls throughout the game as well as his diving - all of which are bookable offences. He was lucky to stay on the pitch as long as he did, but given WHL is the only ground in the country where the opposite of the homer ref exists, it's no surprise.
That's very interesting - always gratifying when stats agree with your observations and instincts. (And often dismissible when they don't). Great for Walker and I'm glad he's having a pretty good season so far but it is a bit worrying that your RB is one of your most dangerous-looking weapons isn't it? Which is also, by the way, not that dangerous a weapon, truth be told. Let's hope he keeps playing well - wouldn't Naughton be his back up too?
There's a weird glitch on Not606 today - for some reason Chelsea fans are all sounding like the worst kind of Mousers with their ludicrously illogical victim complex.
Satisfactory, and good to see defence hold firm against a strong Chelsea in that second half. Torres should have gone earlier, he behaved like a child, still he did look good for them. Time for Defoe instead of Saldado, the latter gave away quite a few balls today. Much better from Townsend, far less greedy than I've seen him lately, shame to see him subbed. Post match interviews thought Mourinho seemed less petty than AVB, and found his comments about the playacting not being from Dawson cos he's English rather amusing. We certainly dont look as strong against top 4 contenders as we've been in recent years, BUT we are managing to beat the 'lesser' teams so far, which is very important too, long may it continue.. Personally I find games against Arsenal more tense as I see them as being our competition for fourth. With the squad Chelsea have, they should be battling for the top with City. Come on Swansea!
