Cole Palmer was sent off for Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea endured an evening to forget at Stamford Bridge as Xabi Alonso’s side were deservedly beaten 2-0 by local rivals Tottenham.
Spurs arrived in west London off the back of their first Premier League win of the season against Coventry and were by far the better side in the early stages.
Omar Marmoush had a great early chance but fired straight at Mike Penders, while Jordan Henderson did no better at the other end when the ball found the Chelsea midfielder unmarked on the edge of the Spurs box.
James Maddison was the best player on the pitch in the first half, but was forced to make way shortly after the break as his rotten luck with injuries continued.
But in his absence, Roberto De Zerbi’s side kicked on to find the opener, albeit fortunately, when Penders inadvertently punched an inswinging corner delivery into his own net.
Chelsea’s task was made harder when the Blues were reduced to ten men three minutes later after Cole Palmer was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on Conor Gallagher.
And the visitors made the most of the man advantage, Mathys Tel scoring the second with a superb solo effort into the bottom-left corner.
Metro was at Stamford Bridge to rate Chelsea’s performances in what proved to be a hugely disappointing night for the Blues.
Mike Penders – 4
Mike Penders made two smart stops in the first half (Picture: Reuters)
Got down well to his right to deny Omar Marmoush midway through the first half, but his first Premier League start will be defined by a costly own goal in the second half.
The young Belgian was under pressure from Jan Paul van Hecke as the corner delivery came in, but his punch could only spiral behind him and into the empty net.
Josh Acheampong – 6
Not given much support defensively from Pedro Neto, but did well up against a lively Tel down the Spurs left in the first half.
Shifted out to right-back in the second half as Alonso moved to a back four, but could do nothing as Mathys Tel surged past him to score Tottenham’s second.
Maxence Lacroix – 5
Found himself dragged around and out of position by Marmoush and James Maddison in the first half, and let Tel past him far too easily before the Spurs forward fired home his side’s second goal.
Levi Colwill – 6
Not asked to do a great deal defensively, but won his duels when called upon. Almost played Pedro Neto clean through on goal with a super long ball, which just skipped away from the Portuguese winger.
Pedro Neto – 6
Continues to prove a lively figure out on the right wing for Chelsea. Given even greater license to get forward after the break, he should have done better with an effort just after the hour mark, which he fired straight at Antonin Kinsky.
Moises Caicedo – 6
A few crunching early challenges on his opposite numbers in the Tottenham midfield, but struggled to get on the ball and get Chelsea moving, particularly against Maddison in the first half.
Jordan Henderson – 6
Jordan Henderson had a good chance in the first half (Picture: Getty)
Should have done better after a sweeping move found him on the edge of the box. Too close to Kinsky who was able to make the save.
Jorrel Hato – 6
Did well up against Mohammed Kudus, but didn’t get on the ball all too much going forward. Made way for Marco Palestra shortly after the hour.
Geovany Quenda – 4
Making his first league start alongside Penders, but struggled to influence proceedings. No shots on goal and just one touch in the penalty area before being withdrawn for Estevao.
Cole Palmer – 3
Cole Palmer and Jan Paul van Hecke (Picture: Getty)
A quiet evening made worse by his costly sending off in the second half. Shown a first yellow for a pushing Mateus Fernandes off the ball and giving his marching orders for a late challenge on Conor Gallagher.
Can have little complaints about either, but had struggled to influence the game up to that point, and clearly missed Joao Pedro playing ahead of him.
Morgan Rogers – 5
Like Palmer, he struggled without Joao Pedro ahead of him. Played further forward on the left, but couldn’t influence the game, unlike in other games when he’s been given more freedom to drift across the forward line.
