Spurs led 2-0 after 11 minutes thanks to goals from Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski. But they eventually lost the match 3-4. Chelsea's goals were scored by Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer (double) and Enzo Fernandez. Tottenham's other goal was scored by Son Heung-min in the 90+6 minute.
At the end of the match, many fans expressed their clear disappointment with Tottenham's performance. Many expressed their frustration as their team lost their 7th match of the season.
Postecoglou, who took over at Tottenham in the summer of 2023 and guided them to fifth place in his first season, is under pressure. The Australian was angered by fans after the team lost to Bournemouth in midweek. The defeat to Chelsea leaves Spurs 11th in the table, seven points adrift of the top four.
In addition to their fluctuating form, Tottenham also suffered a major loss in terms of personnel. In the loss to Chelsea, three of their key players left the field due to injury: Cristian Romero, Brennan Johnson and Micky van de Ven.
“This result is painful for Tottenham. We started very well and then we lost Cristian Romero, which forced us to reorganise the team before Chelsea got the goals.
I think Tottenham had some great moments to get the third goal. The second half was a bit dull and we had a big chance from Son to turn the game in our favour. Then we got two penalties and that turned things around. We need to be better in the box.
“We didn’t play well against Bournemouth, but today we played well. Chelsea are a strong team, a top opponent. We were broken in important moments, decisive for the game,” said Postecoglou.
According to the Tottenham coach, with so many injured players, he cannot rotate the players. He really wants to give many key players a break but has not been able to do so. However, he still believes in the squad he has.
“We have a lot of work to do between now and January. I still feel that the Tottenham squad still believes in what I have built and if we continue to maintain that, we can turn the season around. Hopefully at some point, the team will overcome the current difficult moments,” added Postecoglou.
Postecoglou also expressed his disappointment at referee Anthony Taylor's decision not to red card Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo for a rough tackle on Pape Matar Sarr in the 34th minute.
VAR referee Jarred Gillett said Caicedo did not use excessive force in the tackle, so he did not advise Anthony Taylor to check VAR. However, Postecoglou said: "I think this is the current situation in football, when people just keep quiet to make big decisions. I think referees do not want to make decisions because they will ask VAR and VAR does not want to intervene.
Referees are afraid to make decisions because they are afraid of making the wrong decision, VAR does not want to intervene and I understand that because they do not want the game to be interrupted. We just have to accept it."
