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Tottenham stunned Chelsea on Saturday as Roberto De Zerbi outclassed Xabi Alonso tactically and picked up a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge. But who will finish higher in the Premier League table?
With Joao Pedro injured, Alonso started Morgan Rogers up front. But the England star lost 14 of his 17 duels, and Cole Palmer got sent off. An own goal and a Mathys Tel stunner secured a Tottenham win.
Two steps forward, one giant leap backwards for Alonso. As for the Premier League table, Chelsea are still in fifth place, but are already eight points behind Man City and Arsenal. Ally McCoist has a prediction.
Chelsea have been bruised. But on the whole, it remains a decent start to the season. Injuries to Reece James, Emi Martinez and Pedro have tarnished proceedings, while Palmer needs to show discipline.
Alonso has an identity. He might have got it wrong on Saturday, but the game could have easily gone the other way had Henderson or Neto taken chances, had Mike Penders not punched the ball into the net.
TalkingPoints
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On TalkSPORT this morning, Stelling asked: “I’m going to ask you this question then, Coisty. Four points between the two sides…”. McCoist interrupted: No, Chelsea will finish higher [than Spurs].
“I’ve sat here for weeks, and weeks, and weeks saying they will be a different team with Maddison and Kulusevski. Unfortunately, Maddison is injured again. Tottenham thoroughly deserved the victory.
“Chelsea very poor, yes. Can Spurs start playing to the level they showed on the weekend? I’m not sure they can show that level of consistency,” McCoist questioned, backing Chelsea to finish higher this term.
If Alonso was handed the chance to finish in fifth place at the end of the season – likely guaranteeing Champions League football – he would probably snap your hand off. That is the aim for Chelsea this term.
Of course, there are 30 more Premier League fixtures to play, and anything can still happen at this stage. According to Opta, Chelsea will finish in sixth place come the end of the season, below Aston Villa.
Nicolas Jackson’s brace against Man City saw Villa beat Enzo Maresca’s side on the weekend. It has seen Opta’s prediction take Chelsea from back from fifth into six behind Unai Emery’s side, as things stand.