We take on Chelsea again on Sunday, this time in the Premier League, so let's get the views of N17 Live presenter Ben Haines and Club commentator Rob Daly ahead of another huge game at the Bridge...
The Flying Dutchman...
Rob's commentary on our dramatic late win at Leicester City went viral on social media, so, first up, how was it for him, and how about listening to it as a Spurs fan, Ben?
Rob: “To be honest, I had to wait for Spurs to Tweet it to remember what I said! It was a bit of a blur. Thanks to the hundreds of people that have messaged about it. I’ve been doing commentary for roughly 15 years and never had a reaction to a goal like this. The composure and desire from Steven Bergwijn to score the third was extraordinary. No-one will forget those goals. I’m so glad people felt I did it justice."
Ben: “Rob’s commentary was incredible, amazing. Essentially, every moment we’ve got as a Club, you’ll go over it and remember the words alongside it, and I’m so glad it’s been Rob who has been there for so many big moments, because he always gets it right. That was no exception. It was an incredible game, an incredible moment. I’ve watch that clip about 100 times since, all the highlights, Conte Cam, the lot. I’ve even watched it all including the Leicester goals, just so I can get that fix of our goals right at the end. Every time I watch that end sequence, I find another thing that happened in the celebrations. Lucas and the hat, Harry Kane going mad, Antonio Conte going mad, Ben Davies and the coaching staff... it’s so, so good.”
Enjoy it again...
Take it to the Bridge
Momentum from the KP, Antonio still unbeaten after nine Premier League games, the table looking promising - how do you feel about our latest trip to SW6?
Ben: “I’m never keen on watching Spurs at Stamford Bridge (or stronger words to that effect!). For me, it’s the hardest game we have in the calendar. United as well, although we’ve had some wins at Old Trafford in recent seasons. Last time I saw us play well there was the 3-1 win (April, 2018), Christian Eriksen and Dele’s goals. I remember watching us when Antonio was in charge at Chelsea (November, 2016), he had Victor Moses and Marcus Alonso as wing-backs, and we were so, so good. Eriksen scored a rocket, but they scored twice through overlapping wing-backs, Moses scored one of the goals. That crushed me. We were good, but that system outfoxed us. We weren’t quite at it in the recent semi-final first leg, but this is a one-off for us, and given the momentum after Leicester, I think we go there with a different mindset.”
Rob: “Well, I'm definitely feeling more positive about it now! There was a real winning mentality after scoring the equaliser at Leicester - the desire to grab the ball, go again and turn one point in to three. While I’m wary of hyping up 'turning point' moments in a season, it did seem a particularly unifying win for the team. The concern would be that Chelsea have largely had Spurs’ number this season. But in the second half, in particular, of the Carabao Cup second leg in north London, Spurs showed that their vulnerabilities can be exploited. A more ruthless streak is needed in front of goal - for all the euphoria about Wednesday night, Antonio was keen to point that out post-match."
Key areas
Where do you think Sunday's derby will be won or lost?
Rob: “Chelsea have derailed in the Premier League. They’ve played three more games than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues this season - 36 now - and despite their ridiculously strong and deep squad, they are looking tired. Thomas Tuchel has more than touched upon this. Eric Dier returning is big. I’d hope to see a three-man midfield for Spurs again - it will tough to take out any of Oliver Skipp, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg or Harry Winks, but I feel Gio Lo Celso could easily come in for any of those feeling the full effects of Wednesday night. Again, Chelsea can’t be allowed to dictate and control the game again. The likes of Jorginho, N'Golo Kanté and Mateo Kovacic are so good at that.”
Ben: “Key areas... this time, I’m looking defensively for us. It looks like Eric Dier is fit, he’s been in such good form. Realistically, Gareth Southgate will do well to find a more consistent centre-back over the last few months before his injury. He’s going to be huge for us, his leadership, his experience back there will be vital. On top of that, the three in midfield will be really important to combat Chelsea’s ball-playing central midfielders, and to put a bit of pressure on them. It’s the centre-back three and whoever sits in front, the three or two-man midfield.”
Random question...
With Rob's commentary this week in mind, what is your favourite commentary on a Spurs goal?
Ben: “This is so tough... I love Ricky Villa, ‘and still Ricky Villa...’ John Motson. That’s so iconic. I really like Rob’s Ajax commentary, and John Murray’s (Five Live). I always say this as well, when we’re talking about big moments in our recent history, I really enjoyed when City’s goal was ruled out for offside (in injury time of the Champions League quarter-final, 2019) and the sheer exasperation on all the faces, plus Darren Fletcher and Jermaine Jenas’ commentary. I also have to get in Barry Davies for Paul Gascoigne’s free-kick against Arsenal in the 1991 FA Cup semi-final, that’s so special to me. Barry is a bit of a hero of mine. That’s burned into my memory as a Spurs fan.”
Rob: “We spoke about the commentary of Gazza’s free-kick against Arsenal recently, didn’t we? So iconic. “Is Gascoigne going to have a crack? He is you know... oh I say!” I always liked Rob Hawthorne’s simple, 'Lennon, Crouch...YES!' for the win at AC Milan in 2011."