Tottenham analysis: Slow start costs Spurs and Mauricio Pochettino as injury woes worsen

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Dan Kilpatrick @Dan_KP24 January 2019

Tottenham suffered more semi-final heartbreak under Mauricio Pochettino, as missed penalties from Eric Dier and Lucas Moura ensured Chelsea progressed to the EFL Cup final 4-2 on penalties (2-2) after a 2-1 win on the night.

Dan Kilpatrick was at Stamford Bridge to provide analysis for Standard Sport.

Slow start cost Spurs in third semi-final defeat

Although the tie went to the death, it was lost by Spurs in the first 30 minutes of the second leg, as they squandered their aggregate lead after conceding to N'Golo Kante and Eden Hazard.

While Spurs' second-half was much better, they were far too passive at the start from the off and looked unsure of how to hurt Chelsea in the absence of their three leading scorers Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Heung-Min Son.

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On paper, Spurs are a more polished side than Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea, as they proved in the 3-1 win in the Premier League, and they had an opportunity to capitalise on the fragile confidence in the Blues ranks following their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal and Sarri's subsequent outburst.

Instead, they left it too late to turn up and fell to the lottery of penalties. Although it feels harsh to blame mentality, particularly given their absentees, this was a third consecutive defeat for Spurs in a domestic cup semi-final and they still just seem to lack something needed to take the final step to silverware.

Pochettino tweak makes the difference

There aren't many remaining caveats to Pochettino's remarkable work at Tottenham over the past four-and-a-half years but his management in the biggest games has been questionable. In the past, Spurs have too often collapsed when the pressure is really on, while Pochettino has too often looked powerless to really change a game from the bench.

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Here, though, the Argentine's half-time calls made the difference. Pochettino kept the faith with his XI when it must have been tempting to replace the abject Llorente with Lucas Moura but switched to a back-three, with Eric Dier dropping to centre-half. The change in system made all the difference, freeing Rose to cross for Llorente and unshackling Christian Eriksen who had been forced to defend in the midfield diamond.

When Pochettino first came to England, he was accused of having no Plan B, the same criticising now being aimed at Maurizio Sarri, but the Argentine has demonstrated that the same can no longer be said. The problem was, he appeared to get it wrong from the start.

Llorente makes amends

It is hard to remember a more pedestrian showing from a Tottenham player than Fernando Llorente's first half. The Spaniard started again, despite scoring an own goal in a dire performance at Fulham, and he was even worse in the first 45 minutes here.

Every time Spurs attacked, Llorente found a way to either slow it down or return the ball to Chelsea and it felt extremely generous that he returned for the second half. But Llorente made amends with one moment of quality, squeezing between Emerson and David Luiz to plant a brave header past Kepa and level the tie on aggregate.

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His only other chance, a volley from a sublime Eriksen pass, was fluffed but the veteran fulfilled his brief before being replaced by Lucas Moura. His first half display was a worry but a crucial goal will probably have earned him another chance to deputise for Harry Kane again next week.

More injury woe for Spurs

One of Tottenham's few outfield players to have remained injury-free this season succumbed in the first half, with Ben Davies hobbling off with what looked like a thigh strain. The left-back walked straight down the tunnel after being replaced by Danny Rose.

The England international was excellent – assisting Llorente's goal and getting three Chelsea players booked with his pace and quick feet – but he too picked-up an injury in the second half and signalled to be replaced. Just as Davinson Sanchez was about the replace Rose, Moussa Sissoko crumpled in a heap, unable to continue, and so the Colombian replaced him instead.

(Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I

Ultimately, Spurs were left sweating on the fitness of their two left-backs and their best midfielder, as their terrible luck with injuries continued. They have now suffered over 35 separate injuries this season and, of the regulars, only Harry Winks Toby Alderweireld and Heung-Min Son (who has been absent at two international tournaments) have avoided a spell on the sidelines. The World Cup has been a major factor but the more injuries Spurs suffer the more their failure to add to the squad in the summer looks questionable.

Rose's returning to his best

Before his knock, Rose was Spurs' standout player in another performance suggesting the England international is finally back to his best.

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Fitness problems and transfer speculation have disrupted the past two years for Rose and he has struggled to replicate the form and consistency that made him one of the best left-backs in Europe in 2016-17.

But freed by Pochettino's half-time switch to a back-three, Rose roamed forward down the left flank and his brilliant cross set-up Llorente's goal. Spurs will now wait anxiously for news of his fitness.

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