New-look Chelsea hit their stride as Tottenham's season goes off the rails

When things started to unravel at Tottenham in the past, it became common practice for coaches to simply shrug and attribute the team's failures to the inherent "Spursiness" associated with the club. They knew that their reputations would remain intact in the face of underachievement at a club known for consistent mediocrity.  

However, Ange Postecoglou, the no-nonsense Greek-Australian tactician, proved to be an exception to this trend. He didn't shy away from taking responsibility as Tottenham's aspirations of qualifying for the Champions League were dealt a massive blow on Thursday night with a lackluster 2-0 defeat against Chelsea.

"We didn't play anywhere near the football and didn't have the mindset that I expect us to have. That's on me, I've got to take responsibility for that," a crestfallen Postecoglou acknowledged. "I'm the one putting them out there and preparing them for it. When we're so far off it, I've got to look at myself and see how I'm preparing this team for it."

Postecoglou's willingness to accept blame, in stark contrast to the evasive tactics often employed in modern football, exemplifies his straightforward approach and refusal to deflect responsibility. He understands the importance of addressing shortcomings head-on and holding himself accountable for his team's dismal performance.

But it cannot be glossed over that Tottenham find themselves in a downward spiral as the season reaches its crucial stage. It feels like an eternity has passed since Postecoglou's team held the top spot in the league after 10 matches, boasting an impressive record of eight wins and two draws.  

In the 24 games that followed, however, they have only managed to accumulate 34 points, displaying form that can be described as nothing more than average mid-table performance. Prior to suffering a devastating defeat against Arsenal in the derby, they had already suffered a crushing 4-0 loss to Newcastle.

Postecoglou was well aware that his team needed a victory at Stamford Bridge to close the gap on fourth-placed Aston Villa in the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League. Unfortunately, they fell short once again, succumbing to a third consecutive defeat as goals from Trevoh Chalobah and Nicolas Jackson propelled Chelsea to victory over their bitter rivals.

The latest setback left Postecoglou feeling a deep sense of disgust. Throughout the tie, he could be seen fervidly raging at his underperforming players. The mounting pressure even led to tensions within the team itself. Within just 30 minutes, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and defender Micky van de Ven were caught engaging in a heated exchange, an evident reflection of the team's profound frustrations.

Not only were internal tensions simmering, but the fans were also likely to be feeling disgruntled after witnessing yet another goal conceded from a set-piece. Chalobah's header was the 15th set-piece goal that Spurs have allowed this season, following on from two conceded against Arsenal in the previous match. 

To compound matters, Tottenham displayed a concerning lack of precision in their passing, particularly when attempting to build from the back. Questions would inevitably arise about the team's structure and self-belief. The absence of a cohesive game plan was implausibly conspicuous.

The final result painted a picture of a rare comfortable outing for Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino's injury-ravaged side had to cope without the services of a staggering 14 first-team players. In order to mitigate the absence, Pochettino entrusted the task of neutralizing the formidable Son Heung-min to the inexperienced defender Alfie Gilchrist, who was making only his second Premier League start. As if that wasn't enough pressure, Pochettino also took a gamble by granting a league debut to Jimi Tauriainen, shortly after Josh Acheampong made his senior debut as a substitute for Gilchrist.

Despite the myriad challenges they faced, Chelsea exhibited a remarkable level of sharpness throughout the game. Moises Caicedo proved to be a tenacious presence, fearlessly engaging in tackles, while Marc Cucurella posed a constant threat to Spurs by seamlessly drifting into midfield. Cole Palmer showcased his exceptional agility, gracefully dancing in the space between the opposition's defense and midfield. Jackson displayed unwavering energy and a touch of sheer class when he calmly converted his goal.

However, the recurring issue for Chelsea this season has been the sporadic nature of these marvelous performances, leaving much to be desired in terms of consistency. Nevertheless, their triumph in this match has propelled them to eighth place, a mere two points adrift of Newcastle in seventh, and with the tantalizing possibility of securing a Europa League spot.  

While Tottenham's season is in free fall, Chelsea, on the other hand, are slowly but surely finding their footing.