Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 Chelsea: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis | Premier League 2019-20

A well-taken brace from Willian ensured a massive victory for under-fire Chelsea, who beat bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur to extend their cushion at fourth place. It was a monumentally constructed tactical masterclass from Frank Lampard as he shifted the style, intent and approach to the game.

The second half was more of throwing caution, defending in numbers and keeping the shape. Son Heung-Min's third red card of the calendar year, given for violent conduct on Antonio Rudiger, heightened the task Spurs already had prior to the start of the second-half.

Not only did the Blues avoid a third straight defeat, but also continued their impressive record away from home. A clean sheet further sweetened the cause - their first in an astonishing 12 away games - but it was all about the shift in mentality and a scintillating display from their Brazilian winger.

On that note, we analyse the five major talking points from Chelsea's emphatic victory over Spurs.

---

1. Lampard tinkers his system amid immense pressure

Marcos Alonso was slotted into the Chelsea setup to provide width

With a third straight league defeat looming, Lampard's team selection and in-game tactics had come under the scanner to a notable stretch of late. He responded by fielding a back three and not four in order to stiffen the defensive line away from home.

Kepa Arrizabalaga formed the last line of defence, with Antonio Rudiger (right), Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori (left) making up a three-man back line. They allowed the keeper to play the ball out with more options, and also aid the attack by pushing beyond the half-way line.

Cesar Azpilicueta therefore, received a sheath due to this system with the returning Marcos Alonso accompanying the skipper down left wing-back. The Spaniard returned after an eight-game absence.

Mateo Kovacic and N'Golo Kante were deployed as a pivot, with Mason Mount and Willian up ahead down the flanks. The duo played in a more inverted role down the inside right and left, not only shutting off spaces but also allowing the wide defenders to pervade advacned positions down either flank.

The fiery Tammy Abraham led the line. Another interesting aspect of Lampard's tactics was to employ Mount down the right almost as a number 10 at times, and Willian at left wing - up against Serge Aurier.

Also check out: Premier League Premier League Table Champions League table

2. Willian's goal typifies Lampard's tactical brilliance

Chelsea players rejoice as Willian fires a beauty to give his team the lead

As aforementioned, Willian and Mount injected a variety of propositions through Lampard's principles in the fixture. They were clearly set up to keep the ball better, play more central and for the former to go up against a rather erratic and inconsistent Aurier.

And so it happened. The Blues worked out a routine set-piece in the form of a corner, with Willian awarded acres of space down the left. He took no time in side-stepping Aurier, who was on his heels, and drilled a fierce strike way past Paulo Gazzaniga.

Although it was merely simple; the proceedings until then clearly proved what Chelsea were out to do. Yes, Mount and Willian had a lot to cover when not with the ball, but Lampard's pragmatism was a bit different to his master's. The visitors played with intent and after three good weeks, displayed ruthlessness in front of goal.

Chelsea were being choked by an early five-man, diamond-like Tottenham press in the early exchanges of the game, but patience and collective travel to the other side of the pitch capsuled how a transition is made.

Lampard visibly made tactical tweaks that paid off in the form of narrower wingers and Willian's shift in role besides the defensive shape, while Spurs had to wait until the 28th minute to record their first effort on goal.

3. Shabby Spurs shoot themselves in the foot as Chelsea score twice

Paulo Gazzaniga completely missed the ball and closed Alonso in when trying to clear

The pupil punched the air in delight, while the master disappeared right out of thin air just as Willian converted the penalty to double Chelsea's lead.

Credit Lampard for his preparation ahead of the game, as that, led to a clueless Spurs group.

Jan Vertonghen, although not on the spotlight in the opening half, had nowhere to go with Azpilicueta marauding forward time and time again. He was largely indecisive, not knowing when to apply the brakes or to mark. Chelsea had different ways of getting at Tottenham, and a number of times when the likes of Kante swept the ball into the box, the Belgian was seen in no man's land down the near post.

However, it was Aurier who was to blame for both the goals, in fact. For the first, he should have dealt much better with a long ball with no one rubbing shoulders with him. Instead, he conceded a corner.

When the kick was taken, as per footage, the right-back was pointing at his goalkeeper - nowhere near was his sight on the ball. When Willian drifted in down the left, he slowly jogged toward him and was eventually beaten. Lucas Moura too, had to come in and close the opponent down. Shoddy, lazy and careless was what it was.

No one, literally no one knew what Gazzaniga was doing there when he fouled Alonso. Neither did he get any contact with the ball, nor did he time his jump. Aurier on that occasion was the one who had to take care of Alonso, at first place.

4. Mourinho gives it a real rattle in the second half, but Son sees red

Son and Alii drifted into pockets of space to draw Chelsea midfielders out

When Mourinho ran down the tunnel on the cusp of halftime, the frame around the Tottenham Hotspur stadium knew their players would pay witness to the other side of the Portuguese mastermind, far from what he's been so far around the team and in front of the media.

Consequently, the configuration was twitched, with the hosts switching to a back three comprising of Alderweireld at the heart. What was extremely alarming was how up Aurier saw himself plying his trade - almost as if his side were operating in a 3-2-5.

In reply, Chelsea continued to sit further back in their 5-4-1 defensive shape, and a distinct lack of incisiveness worked in their favour. Another aspect of the game that opened right up was the potentiality of Chelsea's counter-attacking chances.

Son Heung-min had received just one career red card before May 1.He has since been sent off a further three times. pic.twitter.com/LhOvPl7AeQ

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 22, 2019

Mount saw himself breaking away no lesser than three times, and on the overall note, the entire complexion of the match changed with the likes of Alli and Son drawing the opposition midfielders out of their boxes.

In what looked like a serious attempt to forge a comeback, Son raised his boot at Rudiger to receive his marching orders for violent conduct.

5. Spurs' overall display indicates work in progress

Is it the end of the honeymoon period for Jose Mourinho?

The game wore on, as did the tempers and humanly instincts of the players. Rudiger reported racist abuse, Alonso shoved Alli during a corner and a lot more of the ugly unfolded. But under the surface, the mark of a team that's work in progress seemed perceptible.

There's a lot of quality within the squad, but right from the structure to the final delivery that came in, Spurs just didn't do enough. Yes, they were stung by the red card incident and the penalty, but not all the potent translated through on goal.

While Abraham won as many as eight duels, Kane on the contrary hardly had a sniff in the second 45. Defensively as well, the likes of Vertonghen and Aurier couldn't quite mould into the different systems charted out by Mourinho.

The self-proclaimed 'Special One' has lost two games in his brief spell at North London, against Manchester United and Chelsea. The issue is quite clear, there. There's a certain lack of zip, or confidence following a dismal start to the season. Or maybe, it's just a matter of no response.

We'll find out how this story between Mourinho and Tottenham pans out in relatively easier fixtures coming up.