It hurts – Tottenham boss Postecoglou injured in Chelsea defeat

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou admitted today’s defeat by Chelsea, which saw his side squander a 2-0 lead to lose 4-3, was “painful”.

Two slips from Mark Cukurella allowed the hosts to take a commanding lead early on through goals from Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kuluszewski, but then Spurs fell apart.

Jadon Sancho pulled one back and Enzo Fernandez’s goal sandwiched between two Cole Palmer penalties put Chelsea in control.

“Sweetness LICENSED” 🥶

Cole Palmer with a penalty on Panenka to put the game beyond doubt! pic.twitter.com/JE96MpFUrr

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 8, 2024

Son Heung-min reduced the arrears late on, but it wasn’t enough for the 11th-placed Spurs side.

“It’s definitely painful, it’s painful,” Postecoglou told “Match of the Day”.

“We started the game really well, but as the season goes, we lose (Cristian) Romero after 20 minutes and it unsettles us a bit and they score straight away.

“We had chances to get our third and at half-time we were in a decent position. The second half is ding dong, especially at the start, they scored but we had a big chance with Son, we didn’t take it and they go 3-2.

“I thought the two penalties were a bad decision of ours, we have to show more discipline.” In the end, the critical moments got us.

“I think there were quality opportunities, but I don’t think there was an abundance of them.” I can’t remember goalkeepers making a number of top quality saves.

“We matched a good side in that department and when there’s quality there, you’re going to have moments.

“There were things we certainly could have done better.”

Today we played well – Postecoglou

Postecoglou was booed by the away fans after the 1-0 defeat by Bournemouth in midweek and again had a muffled boo at the final whistle.

He added: “We didn’t play well in midweek but we did today. They are a top side, you have to give them credit. We pulled away at key moments. We have to realize that it is difficult to stop when we play our football. Both penalties were bad. “When you play these top teams, the momentum changes quickly.”

To make for a miserable afternoon for Spurs, both central defenders Romero and Mickey van de Ven failed to complete the 90 minutes.

“Obviously Romero was really disappointing. “After 20 minutes he felt something in his quad and could not continue,” he said.

“Brennan (Johnson) wasn’t feeling well and he tried to settle down at halftime, but he just wasn’t ready to go out there.

“Mickey (van de Ven) was just a bit tired. The plan today was always to try to give him 60 or 70 (minutes).