Perhaps Antonio Conte’s past, both recent and more distant, came back to haunt him. Or perhaps this is simply what happens when Chelsea face Spurs. “Tottenham Hotspur, it’s happened again,” the European champions’ fans chorused as they inflicted a fourth defeat of the season on their capital rivals.
It was a third in January alone, following both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final, and Conte lost his unbeaten record with Tottenham in the Premier League to his former employers. He picked a particularly defensive side, but it served as no protection in a destructive eight-minute spell at the start of the second half when Chelsea scored two goals and came close to getting two more.
A first league victory in five games for Thomas Tuchel means his team, now 10 points behind Manchester City, retain their faint interest in the title race. At least they know that, even if Spurs win their games in hand, they will still trail Chelsea.
It was a contentious, fractious affair but in a game when two managers who prefer to use a back three each started with a four-man defence – and for the first time since 2016, in Conte’s case – Tuchel had more to savour from his choices.
Some of his decisions have backfired of late and he rarely uses touchline-hugging wingers but opted for 4-3-3 and Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech, who combined for the first goal, were pivotal. Defender Thiago Silva soon added a second and, once again, the gulf between them felt sizeable.
The deadlock was broken in beautiful style. Hudson-Odoi made a driving run before playing a pass to his fellow winger. Ziyech’s perfect curler from 20 yards left Hugo Lloris motionless as it nestled in the back of the net. The Moroccan had not celebrated his goal at Brighton on Tuesday.
This time, it was more evident he was happy. Suitably buoyed, he almost had a second, unleashing a fierce effort from a similar position. Lloris reacted this time, making a diving save. Hudson-Odoi also flourished, giving Japhet Tanganga a torrid time as the Tottenham defender flirted with a second booking, and winning the free kick for Chelsea’s second goal.
Spurs disputed its award, but Eric Dier caught Hudson-Odoi. Mason Mount whipped in the resulting free kick and Silva applied the final touch. Tottenham’s irritation may have been increased by the identity of the scorer.
The match revolved around the veteran Brazilian’s contributions at either end and when Harry Kane seemed to have put Spurs ahead, tucking in a finish from Ryan Sessegnon’s pass, the goal was instead chalked off. Kane had nudged Silva in the back, he took the opportunity to go flying and Conte was visibly aggrieved that a foul was awarded.
Nevertheless, Tottenham got a reprieve when second-half substitute Oliver Skipp rugby-tackled Cesar Azpilicueta in the box and, strangely, no penalty was awarded. By the time Skipp came on among more attacking changes the damage had been done. Conte had begun with wing-backs playing as unadventurous wingers in a 4-4-2 formation and his side had just 25 percent of possession before the break.
They struggled to adjust as Romelu Lukaku hooked a shot over the bar after 30 seconds, Hudson-Odoi headed wide three minutes later and Mount found space with ease.
Lukaku powered Conte’s Inter to last season’s Scudetto; he has lost that scoring touch and missed his kick with one chance, though he later drew a fine save from Lloris.
But another drought must concern Conte more. Kepa Arrizabalaga’s late save from Kane meant Tottenham have failed to score in their last six games against Chelsea. Tuchel could enjoy the normality of it. Conte could lament it.
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.
'Young girls thinking of big ideas'
Words come easy for aspiring writer Afra Al Muhairb. The business side of books, on the other hand, is entirely foreign to the 16-year-old Emirati. So, she followed her father’s advice and enroled in the Abu Dhabi Education Council’s summer entrepreneurship course at Abu Dhabi University hoping to pick up a few new skills.
“Most of us have this dream of opening a business,” said Afra, referring to her peers are “young girls thinking of big ideas.”
In the three-week class, pupils are challenged to come up with a business and develop an operational and marketing plan to support their idea. But, the learning goes far beyond sales and branding, said teacher Sonia Elhaj.
“It’s not only about starting up a business, it’s all the meta skills that goes with it -- building self confidence, communication,” said Ms Elhaj. “It’s a way to coach them and to harness ideas and to allow them to be creative. They are really hungry to do this and be heard. They are so happy to be actually doing something, to be engaged in creating something new, not only sitting and listening and getting new information and new knowledge. Now they are applying that knowledge.”
Afra’s team decided to focus their business idea on a restaurant modelled after the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Each level would have a different international cuisine and all the meat would be halal. The pupils thought of this after discussing a common problem they face when travelling abroad.
“Sometimes we find the struggle of finding halal food, so we just eat fish and cheese, so it’s hard for us to spend 20 days with fish and cheese,” said Afra. “So we made this tower so every person who comes – from Africa, from America – they will find the right food to eat.”
rpennington@thenational.ae
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
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If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
Klopp at the Kop
Matches 68; Wins 35; Draws 19; Losses 14; Goals For 133; Goals Against 82
- Eighth place in Premier League in 2015/16
- Runners-up in Europa League in 2016
- Runners-up in League Cup in 2016
- Fourth place in Premier League in 2016/17
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test Thursday-Monday at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
