It was a bad day at the office for Timo Werner and Harry Kane as Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur play out a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.
Tottenham Hotspur managed to reclaim their place at the top of the Premier League table following a 0-0 draw with rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening.
It was a cagey affair to say the least, as both sides’ inability to consistently create clear cut opportunities led to an intriguing midfield battle between the likes of N’Golo Kante and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Chelsea did look threatening with more attempts on goal, with Timo Werner even finding the back of the net in the 11th minute before it was ruled out due to offside. However, most of the Blues’ efforts came from outside the box as their front three barely managed to create anything in the final third.
Tottenham looked even worse going forward, but were far better in regards to their defensive shape, especially in transition. They will be quite happy with the point too, considering the fact that they amassed only one shot on target in the entire game.
Here, at The Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over these two sides in their goalless draw on Sunday.
Chelsea
Edouard Mendy: 6.5/10
Edouard Mendy continued his excellent record in between the sticks with yet another clean sheet. He wasn’t as busy as Hugo Lloris on the other end of the pitch but still had to make one key save.
Edouard Mendy for Chelsea this season:
▪️ 8 clean sheets in 11 games
▪️ Only 3 goals conceded
▪️ Leads PL in clean sheets (5)— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 29, 2020
Reece James: 7/10
Reece James produced one excellent cross in the second half but his influence was largely restricted by Tottenham’s shape that denied space to move forward.
Thiago Silva: 8/10
Thiago Silva’s composure, positional sense and experience were absolutely critical in denying Tottenham forwards the opportunity to make an impact this evening. The Brazilian was solid as a rock, barely putting a foot wrong throughout the ninety minutes.
Kurt Zouma: 8/10
Much like Silva, Kurt Zouma was key, especially with his imposing physical frame and aerial prowess that didn’t allow Harry Kane the opportunity to find a goal. The Frenchman did make one awful pass that could have led to a goal late in the game.
Ben Chilwell: 6.5/10
Not the best of games for Ben Chilwell, whose influence was minimised by the Tottenham wide players doubling down on him. As a result, the ex-Leicester City man barely provided anything going forward, though he was solid enough in dealing with Son Heung-min.
Mateo Kovacic: 7.5/10
Mateo Kovacic had a positively mixed game against Tottenham. The Croatian lacked inventiveness with the ball at his feet, but his eagerness to win back possession for his side combined with his ability to read the game were key elements in Chelsea’s second line of press.
N’Golo Kante: 8/10
N’Golo Kante was by far the best midfielder for Chelsea in this game. The Frenchman recovered possession multiple times, making it difficult for Tottenham to gain any sort of rhythm in the middle of the park. Also looked positive in possession.
N'Golo Kante vs the world ?#CHETOT pic.twitter.com/BFwbziPEax
— Goal (@goal) November 29, 2020
Mason Mount: 7.5/10
Mason Mount may have not provided much creative influence moving forward. But, the Englishman did make two excellent attempts on goal, testing Lloris. Worked hard, as usual.
Hakim Ziyech: 5/10
Hakim Ziyech struggled to continue his excellent run of form as he was often bogged down by a relatively solid Spurs defence. The Moroccan international also failed to provide much creativity in the final third.
Tammy Abraham: 5/10
Tammy Abraham was wasteful to an extent this evening, failing to make the most out of the crosses that came in. He was either slow or indecisive, as the striker eventually made way for Olivier Giroud late in the game.
Timo Werner: 5/10
Timo Werner had a goal disallowed in the first half, and that was pretty much the highlight of his performance. The German didn’t make too much of an impact against the Spurs backline.
Substitutes
Christian Pulisic: 5/10
Returned to the pitch after a spell out on the sidelines. It was nice to see him back, although the American didn’t have any influence on proceedings.
Olivier Giroud: N/A
Might have done a bit better in capitalising from the late error from Joe Rodon. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Kai Havertz: N/A
A late replacement for Ziyech. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Tottenham
Hugo Lloris: 7.5/10
Lloris’ performance was critical behind Tottenham Hotspur’s clean sheet. The Frenchman made three excellent saves, making amends for a bit of indecision that might have led to a goal from Chelsea.
Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud are definitely talking about that chance at the end! ?? ? pic.twitter.com/GnPSwiXqIB
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 29, 2020
Serge Aurier: 7.5/10
Serge Aurier was also one of the better performers for Spurs. The Ivorian remained solid at right-back, allowing very little space for Werner. Offered offensive support as well, though he did lack the end product.
Joe Rodon: 7/10
It was a mixed starting debut for Rodon in the Premier League. The Welshman, filling in for the injured Toby Alderweireld, looked shaky during the early stages of the game but improved as the game progressed. His poor backpass, however, was intercepted by Giroud and it could have potentially led to a late winner.
Eric Dier: 7.5/10
Eric Dier lacked consistency throughout the ninety minutes in regards to his passing and solidity. However, his imposing frame was crucial in preventing the Chelsea attackers from creating too many opportunities in the final third.
Sergio Reguilon: 7.5/10
It was yet another impressive performance from Sergio Reguilon. The Spaniard was solid on the left flank and showcased electric pace on the counter whenever it was needed.
Moussa Sissoko: 7/10
Moussa Sissoko prevailed once again in the defensive side of the game. The Frenchman offered cover for Aurier when the full-back moved forward and was overall quite brilliant in screening the Spurs backline. He was poor on the ball though.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 7.5/10
It may not have been Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s best performance in a Spurs kit. However, the Dane was once again influential in the second line of press. His aggression and tenacity made life difficult for the Chelsea midfielders, ultimately leading to a cagey affair in the middle of the park.
Haha look at Højbjerg celebrating shepherding that pass back to Lloris. Love that pic.twitter.com/oaHk4WGnQB
— EuanDewar (@EuanDewar) November 29, 2020
Tanguy Ndombele: 7/10
Tanguy Ndombele once again showed why he is such a vital cog in the Spurs midfield. The Frenchman offered creativity using the nimble footwork that allowed him to squeeze through tight spaces. He was replaced around the hour-mark, as usual.
Son Heung-Min: 5/10
Son was surprisingly abject in regards to his performance against Chelsea this evening. The South Korean international simply wasn’t involved enough, failing to combine with Kane and company.
Harry Kane: 6/10
Kane tried his best to create things in the final third but was often isolated. His lack of involvement coincided with an overall lack of inventiveness from the Spurs attack.
Steven Bergwijn: 6.5/10
Steven Bergwijn was arguably the best attacker for Tottenham in this game. The Dutchman looked lively, especially during the first phase of the game, though his influence faded as the game progressed.
Substitutes
Giovani Lo Celso: 6/10
Replaced Ndombele around the hour-mark, providing more energy in the final third. However, the Argentine may have done a lot better in making the most of a late chance offered by Zouma. Indecisive.
Ben Davies: N/A
A late replacement for Bergwijn as Mourinho opted for an additional defensive body. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Lucas Moura: N/A
A late replacement for Son. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
