Tottenham Hotspur don set one unwanted record for Premier League history after dem lose 1-0 to Chelsea for London derby on Saturday evening. Thomas Frank bin dey hope say him boys go bounce back after that 2-0 EFL Cup humiliation from Newcastle, but Spurs play like team wey forget how to attack.
Na only one goal from Joao Pedro for first half separate both sides for the match wey normally dey full of drama, and that win don make Chelsea collect five straight wins over Tottenham across all competitions.
Meanwhile, the Spurs attackers — Xavi Simons, Randal Kolo Muani, Brennan Johnson, Mohammed Kudus, and Richarlison — no even test Chelsea defence properly. Dem no fit lay any serious glove on the Blues at all.
But the real embarrassment come from the stats. Tottenham produce only 0.05 Expected Goals (xG) for the full match — the lowest in the club’s Premier League history since xG record start for 2012–13 season. For context, this means say Tottenham attack no even threaten at all; dem basically no exist.
Tottenham Set Lowest xG Ever For Premier League Game
Since August 2012 when data dey tracked, Spurs don play 503 Premier League matches, but none bad reach this one. Na clear proof say Frank’s men completely dry upfront against their London rivals. Tottenham manage only three shots all evening, with just one on target — while Chelsea blast 15 shots total, nine of them on target, and gather 2.92 xG for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
If no be say Guglielmo Vicario stand like wall for goal, the scoreline for worse pass. The Italian keeper make eight key saves and prevent around 2.17 expected goals. He be the only reason why the loss remain just one goal.
But the frustration no end for the pitch. As full-time whistle blow, defenders Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven vex so tey dem waka past their coach when he try make dem follow am go appreciate fans. The two players just storm pass Frank head straight enter tunnel, leave the manager stand dey look confused for some seconds before he himself waka enter pitch alone.
Thomas Frank Talk About The Van de Ven, Spence Incident
When dem ask Frank about wetin happen after match, the Dane no really gree drag the matter. He downplay am and say the reaction come from frustration, not disrespect. According to wetin he yarn give football.london, he talk say:
“All the players dey frustrated, dem wan do well, dem wan win, dem wan perform. I understand am. Sometimes e hard to stay consistent both when e sweet and when e sour. Na why I still go greet the fans after match — e dey more enjoyable when we win, I no go lie. But I understand why una ask. To me, na small issue.”
Frank still defend the two players, saying: “Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence don dey perform well this season. Everybody dey frustrated. We just dey handle things in our own way. I no see am as big problem.”
But as e be now, the pressure dey pile up. Spurs don drop to eight points behind league leaders Arsenal and don only win two out of their last eight matches across all competitions. The next challenge go come quick as dem prepare face Copenhagen for Champions League on Tuesday — and Frank go need quick response if e no wan make this slump turn full-blown crisis.
