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Five keys to Tottenham beating Chelsea in the Premier League

By Aaron Coe

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Antonio Conte, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur gestures during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 12, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Antonio Conte, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur gestures during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 12, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Antonio Ruediger of Chelsea battles for possession with Ryan Sessegnon of Tottenham Hotspur during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 12, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 12: Antonio Ruediger of Chelsea battles for possession with Ryan Sessegnon of Tottenham Hotspur during the Carabao Cup Semi-Final Second Leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea on January 12, 2022, in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Tottenham key two – Be brave defensively

Step one is not beating themselves and step two for Tottenham is working to take the game to Chelsea and Spurs can do that with their defence. This is especially true from Spurs midfield, assuming they are in a 3-5-2 formation.

One of the real benefits of having both Oliver Skipp and Pierre Hojbjerg playing box-to-box in front of Harry Winks is that they are both ball winners, who now have the opportunity to win the ball further up the pitch. The additional defensive presence that Skipp and Hojbjerg bring in support of Harry Kane and Lucas Moura helps turn token pressure into a semi-press.

Tottenham does not need to chase Chelsea all over the pitch and start pressing at the top of the Blues box, however, they do need to make life uncomfortable for Chelsea when they are on the ball. One of the best ways to create counter-attacks is through turnovers. One of the best ways to create turnovers is through pressure and going after the ball.

The Tottenham team that sat back at home in the second leg of the Carabao cup semi-finals needs to stay home and the squad that wants to work and claw for their meal needs to show up. For Spurs to win they have to be brave and take chances defensively against Chelsea.