Ange Postecoglou Takes Responsibility for Tottenham’s Defeat Against Chelsea
Ange Postecoglou claimed responsibility for an abject Tottenham display after their 2-0 loss at Chelsea and admitted his players looked to have lost belief in his football.
Tottenham’s Struggles Continue
Spurs suffered a third consecutive Premier League defeat to see their top-four hopes all but ended on a painful night in west London. Familiar problems reared their ugly heads for Tottenham, with a Trevor Chalobah header from Conor Gallagher’s 24th-minute free-kick enough to give Chelsea a deserved half-time lead. This goal marked the 15th the visitors have conceded from set-pieces this season.
Postecoglou’s Reflections
Postecoglou was animated throughout the clash at Stamford Bridge and left frustrated with another disjointed display in attack. Despite boasting more than 62 per cent possession, Tottenham only managed to produce three shots on target. Postecoglou expressed his disappointment, stating, “I feel like we’ve lost a bit of belief and conviction in our football and that is on me to change that.”
Postecoglou further added, “It wasn’t a great night and it’s fair to say we didn’t play anywhere near the sort of football and didn’t have the mindset that I expect us to have. That’s on me and I’ve got to take responsibility for that ultimately.”
Regarding the team’s approach, Postecoglou emphasized, “We lacked a real sort of conviction and positive mindset in our football. We didn’t really have any fluency, any sort of aggression with and without the ball.”
Chelsea’s Dominance
Chelsea sealed the victory with a goal from Nicolas Jackson after Cole Palmer’s effort hit the crossbar. The match also saw a moment of embarrassment for Tottenham as Son Heung-min and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg collided on the goal line.
Victory for Chelsea raises the prospect of a late charge for European football after they moved two points behind seventh-placed Newcastle.
Mauricio Pochettino Pleased with Chelsea’s Performance
Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea’s manager, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance. He stated, “I think for me it’s the best game. Maybe not the best, but I’m the most happy I am after.”
Pochettino highlighted the competitiveness and growth of the team, saying, “Because in the way we play, the way we compete, that is what we wanted from the beginning of the season. Of course today we were so competitive and in this way we can grow, we can do better and improve in all areas.”
He also acknowledged the team’s progress, mentioning, “In the last few weeks we are trying to find the balance and people start to realise sometimes it is a process.”