FIVE things we learned from Spurs vs Chelsea

It was a goalless draw at White Hart Lane

After today’s 0-0 draw in the London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, the team here at SillySeason reveal five things we learned from the game.

1. Alderweireld stood out

Spurs’ centre-half Toby Alderweireld was arguably the stand-out performer of the match, looking solid and comfortable at the back.

The Belgium international was brought to North London in the summer after a successful loan spell at Southampton, and he is looking like one of the signings of the season.

The 26-year old has formed a solid partnership with his international teammate Jan Vertonghen in the heart of the Tottenham defence, which is why it is no surprise that they kept a clean sheet today.

Alderweireld looks comfortable with the ball at his feet and he is also a threat at the other end of the pitch; he headed in his second Spurs goal from a corner at home to West Ham United last week.

2. Spurs did well considering their week’s travelling

Tottenham may be disappointed with a 0-0 draw, especially if you look at the contrasting form of the two teams.

However, they can take heart from a point, considering the miles they have racked up this week. Spurs travelled to and from Azerbaijan for their Europa League game against Qarabag on Thursday night.

It is a fixture schedule that Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has bemoaned, but his side are young and fit and look like one of the Premier League’s most dangerous teams – particularly when they are the hosts.

3. Both teams lacked quality in the final third

One of the main reasons that both sides failed to score was down to the lack of quality in the final third.

Whether it was a poor pass or a lack of vision, they just couldn’t break each other down, which is surprising given the quality of attacking players in both squads.

Jose Mourinho’s Blues have struggled for goals and points this campaign and it showed throughout the match. On the other hand, Pochettino’s men have been scoring for fun at the Lane, but couldn’t break the deadlock today.

4. Oscar and Fabregas were poor

In what has been a poor start by Chelsea, a lot of their talented players have yet to reach the levels they showed last term.

Eden Hazard has come under scrutiny by both his manager and the media, but today two players who have undoubted quality performed poorly.

Oscar has failed to have an impact on any games so far and today was no exception, such form might see his spot in the Brazil national team jeopardised.

Cesc Fabregas also couldn’t stamp his authority on the game. He is an experienced playmaker who has won it all with Barcelona and Spain, but he is yet to get going much like Oscar.

Despite their performances, Mourinho will not be too worried, as he knows that form is temporary but class is permanent.

5. Was it a good point for each club?

We know that no team enjoys sharing the spoils in a derby, but the circumstances of this particular fixture may just make it a good point for both teams.

The pair travelled in midweek for European duties, Spurs went to Azerbaijan as previously mentioned and Chelsea went to Israel on Tuesday night to face Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the Champions League.

With that in mind, tiredness and fatigue may well have creeped in today for the early kick off, meaning that a point each isn’t the worst result in the world for either team.