Chelsea Damage Spurs’ Title Challenge as Sarri Drops Kepa News

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Chelsea Damage Spurs’ Title Challenge as Sarri Drops Kepa

By Daily Sports on February 28, 2019

Chelsea cast aside the air of crisis surrounding the club and manager Maurizio Sarri with a thoroughly deserved win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

Sarri dropped goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga following his refusal to be substituted in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester City, re-asserting his authority and ensuring speculation about his future will be lifted, for now at least, after this excellent performance and victory.

Tottenham’s title hopes, already dented by defeat at Burnley on Saturday, are now surely over and they must focus on what is an increasingly competitive fight for a top-four place.

Gonzalo Higuain hit the woodwork for Chelsea and Harry Winks had similar misfortune in the first half but Sarri’s side saw their endeavour rewarded when Pedro’s wriggling run ended with a shot between Hugo Lloris’ legs at his near post after 57 minutes.

Harry Kane wasted a good chance to level for Spurs but this damaging loss was sealed in calamitous fashion when Kieran Trippier turned Olivier Giroud’s flick past Lloris into his own net with six minutes left.

This was a vital night for Sarri after Kepa’s insubordination so this was a victory of huge significance for the Italian on a night when the keeper’s replacement Willy Caballero was barely troubled.

Spurs needed to respond after the loss at Burnley on Saturday but this was a tired, uninspired performance that surely ends their Premier League title ambitions.

Chelsea had control for most of the match apart from a phase just before the break. Spurs could not maintain momentum after the break and when they had to find a spark after going behind they fell short.

Spurs are nine points behind leaders Liverpool so reality dictates they are now left with a fight for a place in the top four.

Harry Kane failed to fire, missing an opening he would normally snap up, and the closest they came was when Winks rattled the bar.

Trippier’s late own goal summed up the night - sloppy, careless, damaging. (BBC)

•Photo shows Pedro Rodriguez who scored the opening goal for Chelsea

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 28, 2019