In fairness to Ange Postecoglou it will go down as one of the great managerial ear-cuppings. It was bitter, it was undignified and, rather than an act of defiance, it is probably going to be remembered as the moment of high farce that finally broke Postecoglou’s relationship with Tottenham’s fans.
Here was a man on the edge, the list of grievances piling high, the emotion impossible to contain as he watched his side somehow cancel out Chelsea’s 1-0 lead at Stamford Bridge. Postecoglou had heard the chants of “You don’t know what you’re doing” from the travelling supporters when he brought Pape Sarr on for Lucas Bergvall in the 64th minute. Now came vindication. On 66 minutes: a first shot on target. This was progress. Three minutes later, Sarr charging into midfield, knocked Moisés Caicedo over and unleashed a shot that went in thanks to more dreadful goalkeeping from Robert Sánchez.
Nobody seemed quite sure how to react. Spurs were lucky not to be 4-0 down, but now the entire feel of the evening had changed. Stunned, Chelsea pointed at Caicedo lying on the turf and complained to Craig Pawson about his decision to play on. Postecoglou, though, was not to know that the video assistant referee was about to get involved. Too wrapped up in his own redemptive arc, he did not anticipate that there was a strong chance that the goal was going to be chalked off.
And so Postecoglou made his move. What was that, mate? I don’t know what I’m doing? The satisfaction was immense. Postecoglou could not stop himself. He looked left, gazing at the celebrations in the away end, and lifted his right hand to his ear. Spurs, at long last, had finally seen a cup. Postecoglou sarcastically waved at the critics. He had not counted on Pawson wandering over to the pitchside monitor to have a closer look at Sarr’s tackle. He had not imagined the moment would slip from his grasp so quickly.
It did not take long to see that Sarr had caught Caicedo before making off with possession. There was no way the goal could stand. Postecoglou looked disbelieving but the reality was that his self-indulgence had backfired. Nobody was buying it when the Australian later insisted that he had only been trying to tell the away fans to make some noise.
The situation looks almost impossible to salvage. Success in the Europa League could change everything but Spurs do not look like a team ready to win silverware. They are a clownish proposition under Postecoglou. Conviction is missing with and without the ball. The defence is a mess and there are no patterns in attack. Chelsea, who have lacked creativity in recent months, could have been out of sight inside the first 20 minutes.
Doctor Tottenham will see you now. Chelsea needed their appointment with the Premier League’s most effective healing force. Enzo Maresca, another manager dealing with a fanbase teetering towards mutiny, relished the chance to divert from his patient approach and target Postecoglou’s inviting high line with a series of direct long balls. Nicolas Jackson, back from a two-month layoff, could have scored after speeding away from Cristian Romero inside a minute. The striker’s shot was saved and Micky van de Ven, sprinting back to help out, whacked the rebound against the woodwork.
The tone was set. Malo Gusto shot just wide and Jackson continued to bully Romero. Spurs were frazzled, timid and uncoordinated. There was no composure. Guglielmo Vicario made a good save from Jadon Sancho, who produced an improved display on Chelsea’s left, but he also flapped at crosses and sent simple passes into touch. Djed Spence tripped over his own feet trying to dribble out from the back. Bergvall dozed off and lost Cole Palmer, who almost set up Enzo Fernández for a tap-in. Dominic Solanke waited forlornly for someone to pass to him. James Maddison drifted around, offering nothing. The wingers made no impact.
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Playing at a sharper tempo than in recent months, Chelsea were always going to break through. They had the incentive of reclaiming fourth place and reigniting their push for Champions League qualification. They still have flaws but this was better. Jackson’s movement made a difference up front and when the goal came, Fernández taking advantage of awful marking to head home early in the second half, there was joy for Maresca in seeing Palmer emerge from his slump to claim his first assist since December.
Spurs were well beaten. This was their 16th defeat of a dreadful league campaign, heightening the sense that Postecoglou is on borrowed time. He hung around on the pitch when it was over but he did not dare go to the away end. The divisions are probably too big now. Faith in Angeball was already dwindling. The ear-cupping will do nothing to bring back the believers.
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