How Tottenham can beat Chelsea after being outplayed in the EFL Cup semi-final?
How Tottenham can beat Chelsea after being outplayed in the EFL Cup semi-final?
Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea got the better of Tottenham in both legs of their Carabao Cup semi-final this month.
The Blues got one over old boss Antonio Conte with a 3-0 aggregate triumph to set up a Wembley date with Liverpool.
But with the cup ties out of the way, all attention is firmly on the Premier League with both sides battling to secure a top four spot with Manchester City seemingly running away with the title.
On Sunday, Conte returns to Stamford Bridge in the league, a place where he has fond memories after winning the Premier League and FA Cup in successive seasons in West London.
But how can the Italian deliver a crucial three points for his new side in this weekend’s London derby?
Channel new-found confidence
Steven Bergwijn’s remarkable late show away at Leicester gave Tottenham a scarcely believable victory in midweek.
Conte introduced the Dutchman off the bench in the 79th minute and it proved to be a stroke of genius as he scored twice in injury time to pull off the unlikeliest of victories.
The late drama gave Spurs’ top-four hopes a massive boost and Conte will need to carry that momentum into a colossal clash at the Bridge.
With four games in hand, Tottenham can eventually leapfrog their rivals and what better way to show they are right in the mix than getting revenge for their League Cup exit.
By contrast, the Blues have not won a league game since Boxing Day against Aston Villa and are desperate for a win to reignite their top-four ambitions having played several more games than a number of their nearest rivals.
Attack down the wings
One of Chelsea’s biggest problems is the continued absence of full-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell.
The English duo have been missed massively by Tuchel both in attack and defence and leave Chelsea vulnerable on the flanks.
With the likes of Son Heung-min, Lucas Moura and the in-form Bergwijn capable of capitalising, Conte may find some joy in the wide spaces.
Feed Harry Kane
It looked for all intents and purposes that Spurs’ talisman Harry Kane was going to leave in the summer after his Euro 2020 exploits.
Manchester City appeared to be his favoured destination but Chelsea were also linked and with Kane now back fit and firing, he could make them regret ending up with Romelu Lukaku in the summer.
If Spurs are to take three points, they must make sure the England captain has plenty of opportunities to fire off meaningful shots on Kepa Arrizabalaga’s goal.
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