On the other hand, Chelsea find themselves in 3rd.
Stamford Bridge was the venue this evening as Chelsea took on Tottenham Hotspur in a potential title deciding London derby. Both teams have had exceptional starts to the season. The winner of the game would go top of the table, meaning there was plenty at stake. Alternatively, a draw would propel Spurs to the top on goal difference after Liverpool’s disappointing draw yesterday.
FIRST HALF
Steven Bergwijn conjured the first opportunity of the match with 8 minutes gone. Serge Aurier initially did well to recover the ball before Tottenham broke with pace, Bergwijn drove through the middle before offloading the ball which made its way back to the Dutch forward after a Harry Kane pass. He then showed quick feet to make half an inch of space before unleashing a shot which went just wide.
Timo Werner had the ball in the net at the other end just moments later after a Chelsea break. Unfortunately for him, though, the goal was ruled out for offside after an exquisite finish.
Edouard Mendy has been ever present for Chelsea between the sticks since he joined during the transfer window. He was called into action with 14 minutes gone as effective link up play between Eric Dier and Serge Aurier opened up space for the latter to shoot, he did just that as he attempted to power one into the corner. Mendy denied the Ivorian international with a good – if not expected – save, though.
A succession of half chances followed for both teams but neither converted as the first half finished scoreless. The matchup was firmly in the balance heading into the second, it had the air of a game which could be separated by one moment of brilliance.
SECOND HALF
Chelsea had a real chance to take the lead just minutes after the second half started. Good interplay between a number of Chelsea players resulted in a pinpoint Reece James cross into Tammy Abraham and despite connecting, he couldn’t get his header on target. He should have done better with the chance.
Moments later and James produced yet another fantastic cross for Abraham, but again, he failed to connect with his header. Perhaps the aerial prowess of Olivier Giroud would have been better suited to those chances.
Abraham was presented with yet another opportunity in the 64th minute after a dangerous cross into the 6-yard box by Timo Werner. He failed to position his body in a way which allowed him to connect with the ball. Another wasted opportunity from the England international.
Olivier Giroud eventually entered the fray in the 78th minute, replacing the aforementioned Tammy Abraham. The striker scored the winning goal against Rennes midweek and it was looking like he may have to do similar to decide this game.
It was Mason Mount, however, who very nearly made the breakthrough with 80 minutes gone. After some good footwork in which he evaded defenders and made space, he let fly from just outside the box. The ball was heading towards the bottom right corner and it took Hugo Lloris’s fingertips to deny Chelsea a deserved goal.
Giroud got his chance to break the deadlock in injury time after a misplaced Joe Rodon header, but he scuffed his shot into the palms of Hugo Lloris.
Despite Chelsea’s second half domination, they were unable to make the breakthrough. The match finished scoreless to the discontent of Chelsea.
Spurs are now top of the table on goal difference, Chelsea on the other hand sit in 3rd.
FULL-TIME Chelsea 0-0 Spurs
Spurs go 🔝 of the #PL as the spoils are shared at Stamford Bridge 🤝#CHETOT pic.twitter.com/lzTDzm07ik
— Premier League (@premierleague) NOVEMBER 29, 2020
