Tottenham Hotspur lost a fourth consecutive game against Chelsea, with a second-half goal from Enzo Fernandez condemning Spurs to a 16th Premier League loss this season.
Tottenham were toothless in attack and got overran in the engine room. The defensive scheme was a mess and embarrassing. Chelsea were nothing special, but Ange Postecoglou’s men made them look like a world-class outfit.
The signs were ominous from the first minute when a simple pass from the opposition backline had Spurs defenders backtracking, and Micky van de Ven almost handed Nicolas Jackson a cheap goal.
The Dutchman and many of his teammates failed to step up to the plate. However, one Tottenham player stuck out like a sore thumb with an anonymous display.
Tottenham striker Dominic Solake failed to impact the game and struggled to get involved. He cut an isolated figure up top in a disjointed system.
The inefficiency of the set-up did not stop Tottenham publications from ripping into his performance.
Spurs Web rated him 2/10, saying, “Solanke was non-existent today. A bystander.” “He rarely threatened Chelsea’s goal,” To The Lane and Back said.
In truth, Tottenham did not create clear-cut chances for the former Bournemouth striker to feed on.
However, his 21 touches show he was on the outskirts of proceedings. He failed to impose himself on the game, a recurring theme with Solanke.
Tottenham need another option up top
Tottenham did not have another physical, imposing striker to take the burden off Solanke yesterday, leaving them blunt up top.
Someone like Liam Delap, with his bulldog mentality and relentless aggression, could give Spurs a new dimension in attack.
His 11 goals and two assists show he has end product, but it is his ability to steamroll defenders that makes him an intriguing option.
If Tottenham want to avoid more nights like this, they need another striker who can impose himself on games – Delap could be that missing piece.
(Stats from Sofascore)