Spurs suffered their first defeat of the Premier League season at the hands Antonio Conte’s Chelsea, who have now won their last seven in the top flight.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side started very well, winning all of the key battles in midfield through Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama. Harry Kane had the ball in the back of the net after just five minutes, but looked over to see the assistant’s flag was raised.
Spurs did take the lead on the eleventh minute when Dele Alli played a neat ball to Christian Eriksen, who lashed a delightful left-footed shot into the back of the net. The Lilywhites continued to dominate play in the midfield, and looked like going into the break a goal to the good.
However, Pedro had other ideas. The Chelsea man picked the ball up on the edge of the box, Eric Dier failed to close him down and the Spaniard had enough time to curl a beauty of a shot into the corner, giving Hugo Lloris no chance.
Chelsea then took the lead soon after the break. Diego Costa was allowed the run at the Spurs defence before cutting a ball back across goal where Victor Moses was left in acres of space. The Nigerian’s shot was saved by the foot off Lloris, but cannoned into the Spurs net off Jan Vertonghen.
Spurs pushed for an equaliser late on, but couldn’t find the breakthrough as Antonio Conte’s side went top of the Premier League table.
One player that came under a bit of criticism after what wasn’t a totally negative performance at Stamford Bridge was Eric Dier. The England international filled in once again at centre-back, and in all honesty could have prevented both of Chelsea’s goals. Here is how Spurs fans on Twitter reacted to Dier’s performance.
Eric Dier being a natural centre back is a myth. Awful in that position. Defensive mid is his position 100%.
— Brandon. (@Lamelesque) 26 November 2016
Dier is a fraud. Gets rating cus he’s English. With Alderweireld at the back today we don’t concede the second.
— Rhaegar (@GeneralRaheel_) 26 November 2016
A mixture of some very good performances – Kane, Wanyama, Jan and Eriksen – and some very poor ones; Dembele, Dier and Wimmer
— Olé (@OlyLister) 26 November 2016
Dier woeful, Dembele terrible and Alli pretty pointless. Spine of the team ain’t playing well then u got to expect sod all #thfc #Coys
— Monty (@RealBristolSpur) 26 November 2016
Eric Dier is the most trash defender I’ve ever seen in my life.
— Juan Valdez (@JUAN_ina_milion) 26 November 2016
Dier cost us today. Love him but both goals he could have prevented
— Hamid (@HamidTHFC) 26 November 2016
Seen Pedro’s goal again is sickening, Dier as a CB should’ve been on that closing down Pedro & the space but he just stud off him? #THFC
— Graham O’Brien (@GrahamScutzy) 26 November 2016
Eric Dier has been filling in at centre-back ever since the injury of Toby Alderweireld, and generally he has done a good job. However, today he didn’t quite come up with the defensive goods today. Spurs will certainly benefit from having Alderweireld back from injury at the heart of the defence.
