Thank you very much for joining me. Here is Jacob Steinberg’s lovely report from Stamford Bridge.
Ziyech: “We played well. Sometimes they had some counter-attacks but it wasn’t really dangerous at all.
“I think it [the goal] was 10/10.”
Mount: “You could see straight from the beginning the will to win. It is always difficult when a team play with so many defenders.
“Overall the last couple of weeks we haven’t had the results we wanted, so teams start to creep up on you. It was a massive result for us.”
Conte obviously wants new players but where does he need to invest? I think the central midfield underwhelmed today and a new right-back seems necessary.
“Hi Will,” says Nora. “Take up sewing and for sure you won’t miss football.”
I’m in!
Reports from earlier today ...
Palace 1-3 Liverpool
Arsenal 0-0 Burnley
Leicester 1-1 Brighton
It is almost two weeks until we have any Premier League football now. What will we all do? Talk up sewing? Speak to our loved ones? Play board games? Either way, I am very scared.
Full-time: Chelsea 2-0 Spurs
Chelsea were the better team from start to finish and certainly deserved the points. Spurs were unlucky to have a goal chalked off but didn’t merit anything from the fixture. Conte will be looking for a busy final week of the window, while Tuchel will be a lot happier with his lot.
90+2 mins: Ziyech is replaced by Saul. A great man of the match performance from the Moroccan who deserves his standing ovation.
90 mins: Five minutes added on (but Ziyech is currently on the deck being treated for cramp, so it might be longer).
89 mins: Bryan Gil is on for Winks. Good luck turning this one around, mate.
88 mins: Alonso comes on for Hudson-Odoi to add some defensive reinforcement.
86 mins: Spurs almost get themselves back into the match as Kane connects powerfully with a corner but Arrizabalaga moves quickly to his left to palm the header clear. The Basque goalkeeper goes down in agony immediately probably, as he is not used to making saves. He seems fine.
I’ve been watching this match for a very long time now and I can’t remember Matt Doherty doing anything of any real use. What a man.
84 mins: The latest stats show Chelsea have had 15 shots to four from Spurs. Possession is down as 68% to the hosts, another sign of the dominance.
82 mins: Kovacic bundles Kane over from behind as Spurs try to break.
Skipp does his best to get down the right but his cross into the box is a poor one and Rudiger clears. I think Spurs can give up on this one now.
80 mins: Hudson-Odoi is on the deck after Doherty inadvertently catches him in the jaw with his elbow.
78 mins: You will be shocked to hear that Chelsea have another corner but it is headed clear by Kane.
76 mins: Chelsea are completely in control here. It would take a change of gear from Spurs for them to get something out of this.
74 mins: The Spurs fans seem to be throwing items at Rudiger. This is not want you want to see. Pathetic stuff from the away support.
Jorginho departs with Kante coming on. Not a bad replacement.
72 mins: Winks is fouled by Kovacic then the two scrap a little before the free-kick is taken.
70 mins: Spurs have a corner! Winks has the responsibility of sending it into the box but it is a dreadful effort that is volleyed clear at the near post.
Updated
69 mins: Lukaku spins Sanchez and gets into space in the box from where he whacks a shot across goal but Lloris is equal to it.
67 mins: Lots of pushing in the box before the latest Chelsea corner, forcing the referee to intervene. When the ball does come in, Skipp and Azpilicueta go down in the area. It looks the two are partaking in a rugby maul. I have no idea who is at fault there but the referee gives Skipp the benefit of the doubt.
The ball goes over the top soon after resulting in Lloris legging it out of the box to head clear but he sends the ball against Doherty, sending back towards the Spurs net. In the end Spurs win a goal-kick to restore calm.
65 mins: Ziyech almost slides the ball through to Lukaku in the box but Sanchez stretches, risking his groin in the process, to intercept.
63 mins: Ziyech lines up the free-kick on the right before swinging it into the box for Kane to flick over his own bar. The subsequent corner is sent into the area by Ziyech but he fails to beat the first man.
61 mins: Davies catches Ziyech on the top of his foot to give away a foul in a dangerous position.
59 mins: Bergwijn and Azpilicueta pass the time with a bit of pushing. Paul Tierney runs over to intervene and tells the two to play nice.
Kane does well down the left flank and lifts a cross which Sarr heads out to Skipp who lays it into the path of Bergwijn but he makes a poor connection and it is an easy save for Arrizabalaga.
57 mins: Spurs spend a long time after the goal complaining to the referee about something or other. If it is for the original foul, then they have nothing to moan about.
Moura and Skipp on for Sessegnon and Tanganga.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Spurs (Thiago Silva, 55)
Dier clips Hudson-Odoi, probably so Tanganga did not have to foul him again. The defender gets away without being booked. Mount swings in the set-piece from the left which Thiago Silva flicks across Lloris into the corner.
Updated
53 mins: Mount and Hudson-Odoi combine as the former picks up a pass from the latter which he strikes first time from the edge of the box but his shot flies inches over.
51 mins: Hudson-Odoi is causing all kinds of problems for Tanganga, who is on a booking and could be set for an early finish to his match (one way or another).
Gary Neville has just described the pitch as “scabby”.
49 mins: It is almost 2-0 thanks to Ziyech again. Sanchez blocks a Mount shot but the balls ends up with Ziyech who rifles a shot from 18 yards out which Lloris saves by sprawling to his right.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Spurs (Ziyech, 47)
WHAT A GOAL! Chelsea keep the ball from kick-off. It eventually reaches Ziyech on the edge of the box after some lovely team play, he gets it onto his left foot and sets himself to curl the ball into the top corner.
Updated
Second half
Here we go again!
Two men have come to tie it together. Not all heroes wear capes. I must say, it does look very Sunday league now.
OH NO! ONE OF THE NETS HAS A HOLE IN IT! WE WILL BE DELAYED!
Updated
Honk honk.
@Will_Unwin hello Will, watching the Chelsea vs Tottenham and the commentator mentioned Mason Mount’s lack of hair product…he then went onto say “that he must be going for the bouffant look today…”
— J.Q Butter (@JQButter1) January 23, 2022
Personally I think he looks nothing like the Italian keeper.
Dan Christmas emails: “I think it’s just, just about enough to call that a push and disallow the goal. It’s definitely more than what happened with Pukki on Friday. It’s all in the fingers ...”
Conte’s plan is working well as Spurs look to secure a 0-0 draw, that’s for sure.
Half-time: Chelsea 0-0 Spurs
Chelsea have been the dominant side but have not threatened Hugo Lloris’ goal, while Spurs have been pretty passive but should be in the lead. That’s football for you. I think the disallowed Kane goal should have stood but my opinion means absolutely nothing.
45 mins: Three minutes added on.
44 mins: Lukaku drives into the box, does a few stepovers before letting rip but Dier blocks the shot. Ziyech sends in another corner for Spurs to clear.
The Moroccan gets another chance to send in a cross - and it is much better on this occasion with Sanchez’s head the only reason Chelsea don’t open the scoring.
42 mins: Jorginho goes into the book for trying to bring down Bergwijn.
40 mins: NO GOAL! Sessegnon pulls the ball back for Kane in the box who controls it and calmly slots in from eight yards. The referee blows up however, as he spots a push on Thiago Silva who is on the deck after throwing himself to the ground. It should be a goal but the referee’s decision stands. A very weak bit of officiating.
Updated
38 mins: Tanganga is awarded a yellow card after nudging over Hudson-Odoi after the winger pushes the ball past him and tries to run round the defender.
Spurs get the best chance of the match as the ball is dinked over the top for Sessegnon to latch onto; he gets the wrong side of the defence makes it into the box where he tries to let fly but drags the ball desperately wide.
36 mins: Another corner for Chelsea! Mount sends it into the box from the right but it does not get past the front post. Not Chelsea’s day when it comes to set-pieces.
34 mins: It is very much all Chelsea here once again ...
32 mins: Mount gets down the right and sends a dangerous low cross into the box for Lukaku to attack but the Belgian misses his kick eight yards out. A huge let-off for Spurs.
I am not sure Kane has kicked the ball yet. A very quiet afternoon for him thus far as he slowly chases the Chelsea centre-backs.
30 mins: Another foul from Thiago Silva on Bergwijn as he gives him a push in the back, allowing the Dutchman to do a theatrical dive and demand a second card for the Brazilian. The ref sees through this blatant attempt to get Thiago Silva sent off.
28 mins: Jorginho tries to slide a pass through to Lukaku in the box but the fact Spurs are playing with a bucketload of defenders means there is no space to do so.
26 mins: Spurs look like they will be relying on the counter attack here. Bergwijn the key man for them.
24 mins: Thiago Silva goes into the book for taking out Bergwijn.
22 mins: Azpilicueta goes on the overlap and produces a dangerous cross from the byline but Tanganga reads it and heads behind for another corner. Ziyech sends the cross into the box but Spurs get rid. The ball ends up with Ziyech again on the left and he curls in another cross but it is once again cleared.
Tanganga whacks into the advertising hoardings after being nudged by Mount. It is unnecessary from the Chelsea midfielder but the Spurs defender gets up after a minute.
Updated
20 mins: The big VAR in the sky completes its check and they decide it is not worthy of further action. Meanwhile, Sarr is still on the floor getting an ankle rub.
18 mins: Mount swings another corner from the right into the box for the big men to attack but it does not beat the near post and Spurs break through Bergwijn but he is eventually tackled by Kovacic inside the Chelsea half.
Sarr is writhing around in pain after Doherty catches him on the left ankle. It looks a very painful one for the Chelsea man. It goes to the VAR bods as they check for a red card. It is certainly clumsy but I am not sure it is a red.
16 mins: Spurs are at least in the game now but Chelsea certainly look more dangerous in possession.
14 mins: Winks breaks through the Chelsea midfield and makes a beeline for the area, he shifts the ball onto his left foot and drives for goal but the shot lacks power, allowing Arrizabalaga to drop onto it.
Updated
12 mins: Dier dribbles from the halfway up to the edge of the box but is dispossessed by Thiago Silva. At least it is a sign of intent from Spurs.
Down the other end, Ziyech cuts in from the right and curls a shot at goal from 18 yards. It looks a very simple save for Lloris but he decides to fist it clear rather than catch the ball.
10 mins: A second corner finds the head of Thiago Silva but he ends up under the ball and heads his effort well over. Spurs might need to adapt sooner rather than later as they are very much second best here.
8 mins: Chelsea get a corner on the right but the outswinger is easily headed clear and ends up down the other end with Arrizabalaga.
6 mins: Chelsea are dominating the early stages here. Spurs are trying to get used to their new formation and have barely got into the match.
4 mins: Another decent chance for Chelsea as the ball is lifted to the back post for Hudson-Odoi to attack but Tanganga does well to hold him off, meaning he can only direct his header wide.
Chelsea are 4-3-3, in case you are wondering. Sarr is starting at left-back.
2 mins: Lukaku has a great chance in the opening 60 seconds as Mount gets down the right and sends in a bouncing cross, which Lukaku swivels on but he cannot control the shot and it goes over.
Doherty really is starting on the right of midfield. What a statement from Conte. That statement being: let me sign some players immediately.
Updated
Kick-off!
Peep! Peep! Peep! Here we go!
Looks like Spurs are going 4-4-2 with Doherty on the right of midfield. Classic.
As the Spurs team wanders out onto the pitch, Conte stops Dier for a quick word. I wonder what pearls of wisdom he offered.
“On balance,” emails Paul Fowler, “that team sheet is a smart move from Conte. Based on precedent I’d say the result here is about 90% certain to be a Chelsea win. So the base case scenario is losing a game they will lose anyway, but if they get hammered you’d expect it to force levy’s hand for new recruits. And let’s face it, since taking over 20 years ago Levy is the real owner of Tottenham’s awful trophy record (their worst 20 year period in their history, no less). I’m not sure how he still gets away with blaming his managers when he’s the constant.”
Stat attack!
1 - Tottenham have won just one of their last 31 away league games against Chelsea (D10 L20), winning 3-1 in April 2018 with current boss Antonio Conte in charge of the Blues that day. Reversal. pic.twitter.com/k5Sm4TDdlU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 23, 2022
Looking at the benches, Chelsea certainly have the edge (on paper) if things are tight. Havertz, Pulisic, Werner are all available to Tuchel if needs be, whereas Spurs have Lucas Moura and not much else of note.
Updated
Conte explains his team selection is based on who is fit and available. I think he is trying to say he wants to sign some players in the next week or so.
I am trying to work out how Spurs will line up today. Will Doherty be unleashed at left-wing back? It would be a bold move from Conte. Chelsea’s formation is not clear from the teamsheet either. Sarr pushed to left-back?
Jonathan Liew on Conte etc.
VAR has just made one of the worst penalty decisions in history at Selhurst Park. What a farce.
Tuchel is an impatient man.
The interesting bits of team news revolve around the visitors as Sessegnon starts for Spurs and Dele Alli is completely left out of the squad, amid rumours he could be on his away out of the club.
Starting lineups
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Rudiger, Sarr, Jorginho, Kovacic, Ziyech, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Lukaku
Subs: Bettinelli, Chalobah, Alonso, Kante, Barkley, Saul, Havertz, Pulisic, Werner
Tottenham: Lloris, Tanganga, Sanchez, Dier, Davies, Doherty, Hojbjerg, Winks, Sessegnon, Bergwijn, Kane
Subs: Gollini, Rodon, Reguilon, Royal, White, Skipp, Bryan, Lucas, Scarlett
Updated
Good afternoon
Antonio Conte is back at Stamford Bridge, so there is plenty in terms of narrative to clasp onto in west London. His Spurs side should be buoyant after their dramatic late victory over Leicester in the week. Despite that positive result, they have recently lost twice to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final so will know their opponents have the better of them.
Some of the performances under Conte have implied they are capable of challenging for a spot in the top four once more but consistency has been an issue both individually and collectively. If they could back up their victory at the King Power with another today, it really could be a great boon for the remainder of their season, especially considering the number of games they have in hand.
Chelsea have not won in the league since Boxing Day, ultimately ending their challenge for the Premier League title this season. Thomas Tuchel says his players are tired, which could have something to do with their downturn in form but they need to pick themselves up today after being given a couple of days rest following the draw at Brighton.
Let’s hope for a classic!
Kick-off: 4.30pm GMT
