Thomas Frank let down by Spurs man who ‘looked’ like U-16 vs Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur’s long-standing struggles against Chelsea continued on Saturday evening, as they fell to a frustrating 1-0 defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Despite entering the weekend sitting above their London rivals in the Premier League table, the Lilywhites were second best throughout much of the contest, with Enzo Maresca’s side asserting control from the opening whistle and fully deserving their narrow victory.
Joao Pedro’s decisive strike in the 34th minute proved enough to seal all three points for the Blues, who once again extended their dominance over Spurs. Remarkably, Tottenham have now beaten Chelsea only twice in the last six years—a statistic that continues to haunt supporters and underline just how one-sided this fixture has been in recent times.
It was a disheartening evening for Thomas Frank’s men, who never truly found their rhythm in front of a restless home crowd. Spurs looked short of ideas in attack and vulnerable at the back, with individual errors once again proving costly. Tottenham News delivered its post-match player ratings, and while one man stood tall between the sticks, several others endured a night to forget.
Xavi Simons struggles again in Tottenham colours
Summer signing Xavi Simons once more found himself under the microscope after another disappointing performance. The £52 million arrival from Paris Saint-Germain has struggled to adjust to the demands of English football since joining Spurs, and his display against Chelsea did little to inspire confidence.
Introduced in just the seventh minute after an early injury to Lucas Bergvall, Simons had a golden opportunity to make an impact. Instead, the 22-year-old endured a torrid evening, repeatedly losing possession and failing to impose himself physically. His inability to retain the ball or make incisive contributions left Tottenham exposed, particularly in midfield transitions.
Worryingly, it was Simons’ careless back pass that directly contributed to Chelsea’s winning goal. His underhit ball placed Micky van de Ven under immediate pressure, leading to Joao Pedro’s decisive strike moments later. From there, Simons never recovered, and his frustration was evident before he was withdrawn in the 73rd minute—a substitution that drew a mixture of sympathy and impatience from the stands.
The Dutch international, who arrived with such fanfare, looked out of place and out of confidence. His 3/10 rating reflected a performance that was simply not up to Premier League standard. While Thomas Frank has urged patience as Simons adapts to the pace and physicality of the league, the manager will know that time and tolerance are finite commodities in North London.
Vicario the standout in a difficult evening
If there was one shining light for Tottenham, it was goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who once again showcased his shot-stopping brilliance. The Italian was alert, composed, and commanding throughout, keeping Spurs in the contest with a string of crucial interventions. Without his efforts, Chelsea’s winning margin could easily have been greater.
Vicario earned a well-deserved 8/10 rating, standing head and shoulders above his teammates on a disappointing night. His reflex saves and strong communication highlighted why he has quickly become one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the Premier League.
Tottenham player ratings vs Chelsea
Guglielmo Vicario – 8
The standout performer. Excellent handling and positioning kept Tottenham in the game.
Pedro Porro – 4
Struggled defensively and offered little attacking thrust down the flank.
Kevin Danso – 5
Showed effort but was caught out of position at times.
Micky van de Ven – 4
Uncharacteristically sloppy, notably for Chelsea’s goal after being put under pressure by Simons.
Djed Spence – 5
Industrious but failed to deliver consistent quality from wide areas.
Joao Palhinha – 6
Worked hard to break up play but lacked the usual authority in midfield.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 5
Energetic but wasteful in possession and failed to control the tempo.
Mohammed Kudus – 6
Flashes of skill but faded as the match wore on.
Pape Sarr – 6
Tried to inject urgency but found himself overrun by Chelsea’s midfield press.
Lucas Bergvall – N/A
Forced off early due to injury.
Randal Kolo Muani – 5
Starved of service and struggled to make an impact in attack.
Substitutes:
Xavi Simons – 3
Poor decision-making and costly mistake for the goal.
Cristian Romero – 6
Brought aggression and composure after coming on.
Richarlison – 5
Worked hard but never threatened.
Brennan Johnson – 5
Lively but ineffective in the final third.
Wilson Odobert – 6
Injected some pace late on.
Destiny Udogie – 6
Solid cameo, offered defensive stability.
In the end, Tottenham’s lack of cohesion and individual errors told the story. Chelsea deserved their win, while Spurs left the pitch knowing they must find answers quickly if they are to maintain their strong start to the season. The frustration among the fans was palpable—another reminder that for all of Tottenham’s progress, their Chelsea hoodoo remains as strong as ever.