Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou admitted today’s defeat to Chelsea, in which his side squandered a 2-0 lead to lose 4-3, was a “sore one”.
Two slips from Marc Cucurella enabled the hosts to surge into a commanding early lead through goals from Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski but then Spurs fell apart.
Jadon Sancho pulled one back and an Enzo Fernandez goal, sandwiched between two Cole Palmer penalties, put Chelsea in control.
“Coolness PERSONIFIED” 🥶
Cole Palmer with a Panenka penalty to put the game beyond all doubt! pic.twitter.com/JE96MpFUrr
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 8, 2024
Son Heung-min reduced the arrears late on but it was not enough for a Spurs side who are 11th in the table.
“It’s a sore one for sure, it’s painful,” Postecoglou told Match of the Day.
“We started the game really well but as our season has been going, we lose [Cristian] Romero after 20 minutes and that disrupts us a bit and they score straight after.
“We had moments to get our third and at half-time we were in a decent position. The second half is a ding dong, especially at the start, they scored but we had a big chance with Son, we didn’t take it and then they go 3-2 up.
“I thought both penalties were poor decisions by us, we have to show more discipline. In the end the critical moments got us.
“I think there were quality opportunities but I don’t think there was an abundance of them. I can’t remember the keepers making a load of top quality saves.
“We more than matched a good side in that department and when there is quality out there you are going to have moments.
“There were things we could have done better for sure.”
We played well today – Postecoglou
Postecoglou was barracked by the visiting fans following the 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth in midweek and there was again muted booing at the final whistle.
He added: “We didn’t play well in midweek but we did today. They’re a top side, you have got to give credit to them. We got distracted in key moments. We need to realise we are tough to stop when we do play our football. The two penalties were poor. When you’re playing these top teams, the momentum shifts quickly.”
To compound a miserable afternoon for Spurs, both central defenders Romero and Micky van de Ven failed to complete the 90 minutes.
“Obviously Romero was really disappointing. He felt something in his quad after 20 minutes and couldn’t continue,” he said.
“Brennan [Johnson] wasn’t well and he tried to sort himself out at half time but he just wasn’t up to going out there.
“Micky [van de Ven] was just a bit of tiredness. The plan today was always to try and give him 60 or 70 [minutes].”
