During the latest Premier League weekend, Chelsea secured a smash-n-grab away victory over Spurs at their makeshift Wembley home ground. The beleaguering question is whether that defeat can be attributed to the national stadium ghost that just can’t stop haunting Tottenham.
There’s little need reminding anyone how Spurs began their 2017-18 Premier League campaign; the league’s runner-up where clinical against newly-promoted Newcastle and looked untouchable in a convincing 2-nil victory at St. James’s Park.
Nevertheless, in their first real test of the season, against an injury-hit and suspension ravaged Chelsea side, Spurs couldn’t win any points. Spurs were also playing at their stopgap home ground – the new Wembley Stadium. A Marcos Alonso inspired performance ensured the champions got their first victory of the season after enduring a horrific start in the curtain-raiser at home to Burnley.
Considering the number of games Tottenham still has to play at the Wembley Stadium, they must find a way of banishing their Wembley ghost as soon as possible. Speaking during his post-match press conference, Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, opined that Spurs could endure more hammering at Wembley; given that, more teams would be looking forward to the Wembley challenge and putting up a good show.
Against Chelsea, Spurs came out ready to rain fire and brimstone in their usual brute-force attacking style. Ironically, it was Chelsea, playing a defender in midfield, who made things count at the other end. Alvaro Morata could’ve put the Blues ahead with a header that went wide before Marcos Alonso curled in a superb free kick. Chances came aplenty for the Lillywhites; Harry Kane even hit the post, all to little respite. The English striker usually suffers an August goal-draught, which can partly be blamed.
Spurs did find their way back into the game as late as the 82nd minute via a Michy Batshuayi own goal. Still, a counter attack that went all wrong saw Chelsea recover and seal the game with less than three minutes left. With all three goals coming from a man in blue, it means that Spurs must wait at least a week to score their first home goal of the season.
Last season, Tottenham Hotspur played nineteen league games at home, they lost none. That home was White Hart Lane. Wembley, however, is an entirely different kettle of fish. The atmosphere was rigged in Spurs favour; over 70,000 supporters boomed “Tottenham! Tottenham!!” They played in their familiar breathtaking attacking style, yet, very little went their way.
The atmosphere was all Tottenham’s, true. Regardless, Chelsea relished it. Over the last decade, the Blues have become heavily accustomed to the Wembley atmosphere and it was presented on plate by Spurs.
With eighteen more Premier League games to play at Wembley, Spurs must break their Wembley duck and start stringing victories at England’s largest football edifice. Still, playing at a new ground will most definitely have a telling effect on the North London outfit. The dimensions of the Wembley pitch differs in more ways than one from White Hart Lane’s – that would take some getting used to. Playing in a stadium where every team is aching to visit also doesn’t help.
A stadium change doesn’t come without an effect. Arsenal endured an 8-year wait for a major trophy after moving to the Emirates stadium in 2006. West Ham suffered greatly after moving to the London stadium last season. Spurs must face her demons but bear in mind that it’ll take a toll on their campaign.
