Tottenham Player Ratings from Difficult 2-2 Draw at Chelsea
By Aaron Coe
The Tottenham midfield was thoroughly outplayed in the first half, as Spurs looked a step-slow to every ball. Although the percentage of balls won went up in the second half, Spurs were still second best until Kane saved a point.
Tottenham Midfield Ratings versus Blues
Central Midfield – Pierre Hojbjerg – 7
A step slow to the 50/50 balls, Hojbjerg’s obvious vocal leadership contributed most in the first half as the Dane kept working to push the line up defensively. Hojbjerg never stopped working and had a big diving block on Jorginho in the second half. Pierre-Emile was sharp in his passing overall but did not make enough penetrating forward passes. Fortunately, Hojbjerg could penetrate the Blue’s defense with an excellent screamer at 68 minutes to level the score at one.
Central Midfield – Rodrigo Bentancur – 5.5
Rodrigo Bentancur had some moments in the first half, showing some of his classic silky smooth touches. However, Bentancur’s forward passing was not as strong as he rushed to move the ball up the pitch into tight spaces. Add in being second best to most tackles, and Bentancur has seen better days. Rodrigo got away with a pretty blatant foul on Havertz in the second half. Hojbjerg scored the then-tying goal a minute or so later, which certainly added to the game’s intensity level. Bentancur was withdrawn immediately following Chelsea’s second goal.
Left-wing-back – Ryan Sessegnon – 6
Again starting on the left, Chelsea’s game plan called for giving Ryan Sessegnon space over the top as James left a void tracking Son. This led to Spurs’ best chance in the first half, but a poor set-up touch left Sessegnon with a tight angle, which Edouard Mendy saved. A few late challenges on Ruben Loftus-Cheek had the wing-back walking a tight line. Sessegnon was the first player substituted as Richarlison came on, and Spurs changed shape a little before the hour mark.
Right-wing-back – Emerson Royal – 6.5
Emerson Royal put in a shift in the first half defensively, although it is likely debatable if he was most at fault for the Koulibaly goal by not stepping up into the space on the corner. Royal got to the end line twice in the first half, but his crosses were both gathered by Mendy. Royal dropped to right back when Tottenham changed shape upon Richarlison’s introduction. The Brazilian knocked in a couple of crosses but never found the target and was replaced very late by Lucas Moura.