Chelsea have the resources to cope without Diego Costa vs. Tottenham Chelsea will face North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night without talismanic striker Diego Costa in their ranks. The pugnacious Spain international received his fifth caution of the season in Saturdays tempestuous 0-0 draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, meaning he will be watching proceedings from the stands. Should Blues supporters be worried about Costas absence? The plain and simple answer is no. As has already been proved when Costa missed the league games with Crystal Palace and Manchester United through injury, Jose Mourinhos squad is deep enough to cater for such eventualities, with Loic Remy and Didier Drogba more than capable of picking up the slack. Of more concern to Mourinho is the fact that, even with Costa on the pitch against Sunderland, the Blues failed to unpick a resolute Black Cats defence who defended stoically and, on several occasions, might have nicked a goal when breaking forward. Conscious perhaps of that 8-0 thumping at the hands of Southampton, Wearsiders boss Gus Poyet instructed his players to park the bus, and they followed his orders to the letter, hustling and harrying for every ball as if they were playing in a cup final -- and therein lies the problem for Mourinho and Chelsea. Its more than possible they could face the same kind of tactics in every game they play from now until the end of the season. The longer the Blues unbeaten run continues, the more every opposition manager will want to be the one who masterminds a victory against Mourinho and Chelsea. Sunderland were the first team to stop the Blues finding the net this season -- could Wednesdays opponents, Spurs, be the next? Imperious Chelsea defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic shared his thoughts about the situation. They [Sunderland] were compact -- they were on the 16 [yard line] with 10 players. It was difficult to find a space there. We didnt find the space, but in the next game this cannot happen -- we have to score. Reassuring words from the towering Serbian ahead of the London derby with Tottenham. Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino secured the job at White Hart Lane on the back of schooling Southampton to play attractive free-flowing football. Since his arrival, Spurs form might have been erratic but there has been little to suggest that the Argentine is not going about his business in a similar fashion -- surely parking the bus will not be on his agenda against Chelsea? Coming away from Stamford Bridge with any kind of a result can be considered an achievement considering the fact that the Blues boast an immaculate 100 percent home record in the Premier League this season: Played six, won six, scored 15, conceded three. A point for Tottenham would be a feather in Pochettinos cap, especially considering Spurs appalling record at the Bridge. Gifted Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard was yet to be born the last time they won in SW6. That was in February 1990, when goals from David Howells and Gary Lineker secured a 2-1 victory for Tottenham. In the 24 league encounters that have followed, the Blues have dominated the fixture, winning on no less than 16 occasions. In the corresponding game last season, Chelsea stormed to a 4-0 victory with Hazard among the goals as he found the net from the penalty spot. Given Costa will be missing from Mourinhos starting XI, the Belgium international is likely to be the focal point of the Blues attack and any clumsiness on the part of the Spurs defence could see Hazard once more sizing up the opposition goal from 12 yards. In their last two league games away from the Lane, against Aston Villa and Hull City, Tottenham have come from behind to secure victory with last-minute goals. A coincidence enhanced by the fact that on both occasions the home side had a man sent off. Its priceless information for Mourinho. It tells the Portuguese that Pochettinos men dont give up -- that they will battle on until the final whistle -- that this will be their cup final. On paper, Chelsea look too good for Tottenham, but then you could say that about the majority of opponents they will face during this arduous campaign. A third of the way into the season and six points clear at the top of the Premier League is not just good going, its fantastic. While meting out another thrashing to Spurs would be enormously enjoyable for Blues supporters, most would be happy with any kind of victory. (ESPN) - Gorax
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 14:02:54 +0000