Tottenham vs Chelsea Player Ratings: 9/10 for MOTM Silva; Poor Kane, Son get 4

Thiago Silva starred while Harry Kane and Son Heung-min underwhelmed as Chelsea defeated Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 in the Premier League on Sunday.

Coming into the game under pressure after two winless results, Tottenham looked energetic in the first half and showed good intent, doing well to keep Chelsea at bay while creating a few chances of their own. Sergio Reguilon had an opportunity but chose not to shoot while Son Heung-min had an effort saved. At the other end, Andreas Christensen saw a shot go just over as the scoreline remained 0-0 at half-time.

At the break, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel decided to introduce N’Golo Kante in place of Mason Mount and the Blues looked much more purposeful and driven, whereas Tottenham’s levels slumped. Marcos Alonso had a shot saved by Hugo Lloris before producing a fine delivery from a corner-kick for Thiago Silva to head in and put Chelsea in front.

Not long after, the Blues were up two goals to the good as Kante’s strike from distance took a wicked deflection off of Eric Dier before ending into the back of the net. Chelsea continued to push for more goals as Timo Werner, Romelu Lukaku and Mateo Kovacic all had shots saved before eventually Antonio Rudiger made it 3-0 in stoppage time to heap more misery on Nuno Espirito Santo & co.

The commanding display in the second half from Chelsea ensured that they moved to the top of the Premier League table – a position Tottenham occupied only a week ago, with the Lilywhites now slipping down to seventh after back-to-back derby losses. Here are our player ratings for both sets of players after the contest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tottenham

Hugo Lloris: 7/10

Made a good stop to deny Alonso early in the second period but had no chance against Silva’s header or Kante’s deflected strike. Did make a few more decent saves to keep the scoreline down, denying Silva, Werner and Kovacic in the latter stages but was beaten by Rudiger.

Emerson Royal: 5.5/10

Good sliding block to deny Mason Mount an opportunity in the early stages of the contest but was eventually overwhelmed by the constant forward forays of Alonso, who got the better of him on the evening. A tough initiation for the Brazilian who had also struggled against Wilfried Zaha in the defeat to Crystal Palace.

Cristian Romero: 6/10

Making his full Premier League debut, the Argentine had some problems early on but grew into the game with time and dealt fairly well with the threat. However, started cramping up in the latter stages and had to be taken off.

Eric Dier: 6/10

Solid against Romelu Lukaku in the first period and made a huge block to deny Alonso a certain goal at 1-0 in the second period. Unfortunate to see Kante’s effort deflect off of him and into the back of the net for 2-0.

Sergio Reguilon: 4/10

An off day for the Spaniard who was celebrating the first anniversary of his arrival at Tottenham. Had a great chance in the first period but inexplicably chose to cross when he should have shot, with his cross also getting blocked easily. Not secure enough in possession, wasn’t always solid at the back either. Failed to stay with Rudiger leading to the third goal.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 6/10

Looked up for the battle in the first half, making some key interventions, but much like the rest of the Tottenham side was overwhelmed by Chelsea in the second period. Should have tried to close Kante down for the second and was not alert enough to get close to Rudiger for the third.

Tanguy Ndombele: 6/10

The second start in two games for the French midfielder and he had some good moments with the ball at his feet. But left a lot to be desired with his work when not in possession, and was guilty of not closing down Kante for the second goal. Fitness levels just don’t seem to be up there at the moment.

Dele Alli: 4/10

Worked hard off the ball but hardly made any notable impact going forward, which is where his services are primarily needed. Outjumped by Silva for the opening goal. At times too deep than he should be.

Giovani Lo Celso: 4/10

Back into the lineup after quarantining in Croatia, the Argentine lacked a bit of sharpness on the day and while he did have a few positive moments on the ball, Lo Celso was largely ineffective going forward. Then went on to give the ball away leading to Chelsea’s second goal of the game.

Son Heung-min: 4/10

Rushed back to the starting XI after his injury during the international break, Son failed to make the most of a one-on-one vs Kepa, due to a heavy touch in the first half. That was as good as it got for the South Korean on the evening as he hardly posed a threat.

Harry Kane: 4/10

A frustrating evening for the Tottenham superstar, who time and again dropped way too deep to have any sort of impact in the attacking third of the pitch. Hardly posed a goal threat apart from a shot that Kepa stopped fairly easily. Still lacking the sharpness of last season.

SUBSTITUTES

Oliver Skipp: 5/10

Replaced Ndombele in the 62nd minute. Good tackle on Lukaku late on.

Bryan Gil: 5/10

Sent on in place of Gil in the 62nd minute. Did add some energy at the top but hardly made any notable contribution.

Davinson Sanchez: N/A

Late sub for Romero.

Chelsea

Kepa Arrizabalaga: 7/10

Starting ahead of Edouard Mendy in goal, the Spaniard made a good stop in a 1v1 situation with Son in the first half. Was at hand to make another decent save from Kane’s effort after the break. Displayed good command in his box throughout.

Andreas Christensen: 7/10

Moved to the right of the three-man backline, the Dane was solid as ever producing important blocks and interventions while offering quality on the ball. Had a shot go over the bar in the first half. Assured.

Thiago Silva: 9/10

Back into the starting XI, the veteran Brazilian was absolutely rock-solid at the back especially in the first half when Tottenham had a few positive moments. Did not let anything past him in defence and then broke open the deadlock with a thumping header after a fine run in the second half. Could have had a second goal if not for Lloris’ fine save. Will soon turn 37, but still a world-class operator on his day.

Antonio Rudiger: 8/10

Carried on from his MOTM display against Zenit St Petersburg with another aggressive display at the back where he never really allowed Kane to get a sniff at the Chelsea goal. Capped it off with a strike of his own late on, with a well-taken finish. Chelsea will be hoping that he signs on the dotted line on a new contract at the earliest.

Cesar Azpilicueta: 7/10

Moved out to right wing-back on the evening, the Chelsea skipper was solid as usual defensively and offered an outlet going forward on occasions as well. Created a couple of chances for Havertz in the first period which he failed to take and produced the cross for Alonso, whose shot was blocked.

Jorginho: 7/10

Wasn’t offered a lot of time on the ball in the first period as Tottenham resorted to hounding him, which meant he wasn’t able to dictate play as he would have liked. That changed after the break once Kante came on, which allowed the Italian to control the game with his distribution.

Mateo Kovacic: 7/10

Had some difficulties getting to grips with the Tottenham midfield, especially Ndombele, in the first half. But grew into it with time and was much more comfortable and in his elements after the introduction of Kante. Got the assist for the second goal.

Marcos Alonso: 8/10

Absolutely brilliant bit of wing-play from the Spaniard, especially after half-time, when he offered Emerson no respite. Had a goal-bound effort tipped over by Lloris before he set Silva up for the opener with a fine corner. Had another shot blocked and almost got another assist from a corner but Silva’s header was saved this time out. Silenced the boos from the Tottenham fans in some style.

Mason Mount: 5/10

Did not look like his usual energetic self on the evening and although he was at the centre of a couple of positive moments, was a bit passive in his play overall. Taken off at half-time for Kante.

Kai Havertz: 5.5/10

Another player that was not quite at his best. There were a few nice moments of link-up with his fellow forwards. Had a couple of decent chances but failed to convert them in the first half. Looked tired as the game wore on and was hooked off.

Romelu Lukaku: 6.5/10

Did not have a lot of service come his way on the evening, but still managed to make himself a handful for the Tottenham defenders. Sparked into life in the latter stages and carved out a nice chance for Timo Werner, who missed. Had a shot saved himself.

SUBSTITUTES

N’Golo Kante: 8/10

Introduced at half-time in place of Mount and changed the game on its head. Absolutely bossed the midfield, allowing Jorginho and Kovacic more time and freedom while hardly letting anything past him. Got his name on the scoresheet as well, although the deflection from Dier helped.

Timo Werner: 6/10

On for Havertz in the 70th minute. Looked lively with his pace and movement, but lacked the killer instincts in front of goal, failing to make the most of a couple of decent chances. Did set up Rudiger for the third goal.