LONDON (AP) – Chelsea’s resurgence with new manager Thomas Tuchel continued on Thursday, when a Jorginho penalty shot resulted in a 1-0 home win for Tottenham, who suffered their third straight loss.
In contrast, the poor form of those led by José Mourinho was evidenced by the way in which Eric Dier recklessly tripped Timo Werner, so that the penalty was sanctioned, transformed into a goal by Jorginho in the 24th minute.
Although the difference was minimal on the scoreboard, Chelsea controlled the match, despite losing defender Thiago Silva to injury in the first half.
“This is the style that the coach wants from us, and it is working well,” said Mason Mount, who served as the engine of the attack. “It is something new, different for some of us. We are all learning, but for now everything is going well ”.
Chelsea strengthened in the quest for the ticket-granting positions to the Champions League. Tottenham have shifted away from those top four instead, in a disappointing second season under Portugal’s Mourinho.
The Spurs also fell in their stadium last Thursday, before Liverpool, before suffering a collapse on the Brighton court. It is the first time that Mourinho has suffered consecutive defeats at home in his career as a coach.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel celebrates with Reece James after the victory over Tottenham in a Premier League match on Thursday, February 4, 2021 (Neil Hall / Pool via AP)Neil Hall / AP
Tottenham did not spin three stumbles in the Premier since 2012.
Such a performance is a far cry from the strategist’s glory days during his two spells at Chelsea, with which he raised the Premier Trophy three times and turned Stamford Bridge into a fortress.
Faced with the losing streak, Mourinho will have to trust that Daniel Levy, the Tottenham president, will be more patient than Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea.
The temperamental Russian mogul twice fired Mourinho as part of a technical parade at the Blues, where Frank Lampard was fired just last month.
However, the Portuguese coach put a good face on defeat.
“In the second half we have been different, the spirit has been different and the confidence too,” he commented. “In the end, I have the feeling that the team did not stop fighting.”
Tuchel is safe for now, with three games unbeaten since taking the reins, including two wins and a draw that have put Chelsea in sixth place, four points behind fourth-place Liverpool.
Tottenham is three units lower, in the eighth step but with one game less. He obviously misses the injured Harry Kane, who could return next week after suffering ankle injuries.