Chelsea were left stunned by a free-flowing Tottenham side on Thursday evening, as they were beaten 5-3.
Despite goals from Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and John Terry, Chelsea started off the New Year in the worst possible way.
In-form Spurs striker Harry Kane proved a handful for the Chelsea defenders and he had a role to play in four of Tottenham’s goals.
First half
It did however start quite nicely for Chelsea at White Hart Lane. Thibaut Courtois caught a Spurs corner and set up Hazard inside the home side’s half.
After dribbling Danny Rose, he had a go at goal but only hit the post before Oscar turned up to get a shot off the rebound. Costa was in the right place at the right time to put Chelsea in front.
Moments later, Jose Mourinho felt we should have had a penalty when Jan Vertonghen handled the ball inside the area. Referee Phil Dowd did nothing to listen to the shouts from the Chelsea bench.
Then it was all about Tottenham the last 15 minutes of the half. Kane was in brilliant shape and dribbled three Chelsea players before scoring from 25 yards.
As the clock was ticking towards half time, Cesar Azpilicueta lost possession and Christian Eriksen found Nacer Chadli through the middle. The midfielder’s shot hit the post before Rose scored the rebound.
Into stoppage time of the first half, Gary Cahill was late in on a challenge and tripped Kane inside the area. Penalty and Andros Townsend made it 3-1.
Second half
Mourinho stormed off to the changing rooms when the penalty went in just before the break, and he couldn’t have been less furious when Spurs got their fourth goal of the day.
Chadli found Kane inside the area and the Englishman turned and passed the ball into the far corner for 4-1.
A comeback for Chelsea looked very difficult now but Hazard wanted to give it a go. Just after the hour mark he stole the ball off Federico Fazio and stormed towards the Spurs goal. A quick one-two with Cesc Fabregas was followed up with a great finish for 4-2.
With a little bit of luck going our way, Fazio could have been sent off minutes later as Hazard was through on goal, however the replay of the incident shows that Hazard tripped himself and was not brought down.
Azpilicueta forced a great save from Hugo Lloris before Kane set up Chadli for 5-2 and John Terry’s goal for 5-3 right at the end made no difference.
It was a terrible start to the New Year but hopefully we can bounce back again as quickly as possible.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian (Salah 71), Oscar (Ramires h/t), Hazard; Diego Costa.
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