Enzo Maresca says Thomas Frank did something totally unexpected in Chelsea vs Tottenham clash
Chelsea claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday evening, as Enzo Maresca once again showcased his tactical acumen by outsmarting Thomas Frank in a tightly contested London derby. The result marked another frustrating evening for Spurs, whose attacking struggles and lack of creativity were laid bare in front of their home supporters.
The only goal of the match came in the 34th minute through Joao Pedro, who ended his recent goal drought with a well-taken finish. The Brazilian forward pounced on a defensive lapse to fire past Guglielmo Vicario, giving Chelsea a deserved lead after a dominant opening spell. That proved to be the decisive moment, as Tottenham failed to mount a meaningful response for the remainder of the match. The victory lifted the Blues to sixth place in the Premier League table—level on points with Spurs but above them on goal difference—while Tottenham’s worrying home form continued to decline.
For Thomas Frank’s side, the evening was yet another reminder of their glaring attacking deficiencies. Tottenham lacked precision and punch in the final third, and despite enjoying spells of possession, they failed to register any clear-cut chances. Their midfield, usually a source of control and creativity, was completely overrun by Chelsea’s energy and organisation. Moises Caicedo and Reece James, both of whom delivered commanding displays, dictated the tempo of the game and continually disrupted Tottenham’s rhythm.
Adding to Frank’s frustrations, young midfielder Lucas Bergvall was forced off through injury midway through the first half, dealing a further blow to Tottenham’s plans. His replacement, Xavi Simons, failed to make an impact and was later substituted himself, epitomising Spurs’ lack of cohesion and confidence throughout the contest.
After the final whistle, boos echoed around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the home supporters vented their anger at another uninspiring performance. Frank, speaking after the match, admitted he fully understood the fans’ reaction and did not attempt to deflect criticism.
“We all sense the frustration and emotions,” he said. “That’s part of football. It’s extremely painful, and of course, it’s part of the job to face the questions and reflect when you’re burning inside. You want to find solutions, go back over the game, and see what went wrong—but right now, it’s about staying calm. Chelsea were good tonight, and we were definitely second best.”
Frank was candid in his assessment, admitting that his team fell well below their usual standards. “We performed badly,” he continued. “We lacked energy, intensity, and freshness. The high press Chelsea used caused us problems, and we didn’t deal with it as well as we had prepared for. That’s an area we have to keep improving.”
The Danish coach went on to describe how the flow of the game slipped away from Spurs once they fell behind. “Our pressing wasn’t sharp enough at the start, and when they went 1-0 up, we were forced to chase the game. From there, it became a bad cycle – chasing, lacking intensity, losing composure, and making poor decisions. That’s not how we want to play.”
The defeat deepens Tottenham’s ongoing issues in front of goal. Despite boasting an exciting array of attacking players, the team’s lack of a consistent goalscorer has become a serious concern. Their build-up play often breaks down in the final third, leaving them toothless against organised opponents like Chelsea. With the January transfer window approaching, there are growing calls for the club to prioritise the signing of a prolific forward who can convert chances into points.
Looking ahead, Tottenham will attempt to regroup quickly as they prepare for their upcoming Champions League clash with FC Copenhagen on Tuesday evening. It represents an opportunity for Frank’s men to rediscover some attacking rhythm and rebuild confidence after another bruising night in the Premier League. However, unless Spurs can find a solution to their creativity and finishing problems, their struggles at home could continue to overshadow their ambitions this season.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will take plenty of positives from their performance. Maresca’s men looked well-drilled, confident in possession, and defensively compact—traits that have begun to define the Italian’s influence at Stamford Bridge. For Tottenham, though, the questions continue to mount, and Frank will know that patience among supporters is wearing increasingly thin.