Tottenham 0-2 Chelsea | Quite simply the best team performance of the season so far.

Written off ahead of kick-off, having lost four out of the last five Premier League games and with conceding goals a real problem so far this season, Frank Lampard took his Chelsea side to in-form Tottenham under Jose Mourinho. It looked like being potentially a long afternoon for us but turned out to be one of the best days of the season so far. 

I had been calling for Frank Lampard to switch to 4-3-3 and to ensure that Jorginho, Kovacic and Kante played virtually every week as they are the strongest aspect of our side. Having seen the team sheet an hour before kick-off with what looked like a three-man defence and Jorginho on the bench, I tweeted that I didn't agree, that we were focused more on what Tottenham could do to us, to try and stop them rather than focusing on ourselves. I'm happy to say that I couldn't have been further from the truth and the Chelsea Manager along with his coaching staff got everything tactically spot on.

A back-three with Kurt Zouma in the middle of Toni Rudiger and Fikayo Tomori, Azpi and Alonso pushed further forward to give us width with Kovacic and Kante in the middle of midfield. Mason Mount and Willian playing free and given licence to roam to try and get up to support Tammy Abraham, everything worked from kick-off and Tottenham, having never imagined we would set up as we did, could not cope with our shape. At times it looked like we had an extra man before we eventually did.

Chelsea started off better than Tottenham, we looked hungry, we looked fresh and had pace in our passing which was crisp and concise. We were dominating the ball in Tottenham's own back yard and it was great to see. Just twelve minutes into the game having had most of the ball and having cause the home side problems with our play we got the well deserved breakthrough with a moment of magic from Willian. Having taken a short corner to Mateo Kovacic, Willian was given the ball back on the edge of the Tottenham box. A step-over from Willian followed by knocking the ball to his right gave him the angle to curl a right-footed shot into the far corner to make it 0-1 Chelsea.

Tottenham looked to respond but time and time again Chelsea would break up their play by stepping out of the back-line to make a challenge, or our midfield working hard tracking back to win possession. With willing runners up top in the hard-working Mason Mount, Willian himself and Tammy Abraham, all constantly moving their markers about the pitch to create space, we found ourselves in good areas but just couldn't get that all important second goal.

As we headed towards half-time one of the most bizarre footballing decisions I have ever seen gave us a fantastic opportunity to extend our lead. Willian involved again, this time plays a ball over the Tottenham defence for Marcos Alonso who has made a run beyond the defender and towards the box chasing the ball down. The Goalkeeper comes off of his line and whilst remaining INSIDE his penalty area, decides not to collect the ball into his hands but to try and launch a scissor-kick in mid-air, misses the ball and plunges into Alonso in what can only be described as assault. The Tottenham players knew it was a penalty and VAR confirmed it after the Referee had given the free kick THE OTHER WAY!

Willian stepped up, slotted the ball calmly into the corner and Chelsea take a 0-2 lead into the dressing room at half-time. It was a fantastic forty-five minutes for us, arguably the best of our season.

Second half and Tottenham change to match our formation and being honest, started well putting pressure on the Chelsea defence much more than they had in the first half. Harry Kane had two chances on the day, one he blasted over the bar and a close range effort blocked by Fikayo Tomori to deny him. It wasn't his day at all which was great for us.

Then Son loses his head and gets sent off on sixty-two minutes to change the game back into our favour. He and Rudiger come together and Son ends up on the floor on his back with his legs in the air up against Rudiger who is standing over him. He kicks out at Rudiger, who goes down and VAR confirms violent conduct and he receives a red card. Chelsea back in control.

Tottenham have lost their head, players are getting booked for rash challenges and the same can be said for an idiot in the crowd who makes racist comments to Toni Rudiger who hears it. He reports to Azpi who in turn reports it to the Referee who follows protocol by reporting to the fourth official and both coaches. There is no room for racism anywhere and let's hope this person is named and shamed followed by a ban for life.

Back to the game and Chelsea are in control now. Dominating possession, dealing with any threat Tottenham pose whilst looking to hit them on the counter-attack. The only thing you could potentially complain about is the fact that two or three times we had broke out of defence and across the half-way line into their half. We had worked the ball well to the edge of their box and then but for that final ball, we could and should have scored a third.

Reece James, Jorginho and Michy Batshuayi all came on the second half for Azpi, Kovacic and Abraham which was good to see with all getting involved straightaway playing their part in what turned out to be a fantastic afternoon for us.

It really was the best performance as a team and as a collective unit we have seen this season. To a man everyone was on it, was aggressive in the right way when they needed to be, calm and composed the same and played their part. Kepa had a quiet afternoon, the back-three played really well together and made important interceptions and tackles when needed and the two wing-backs The midfield two of Kante and Kovacic were excellent in defence and their use of the ball going forward. Tammy Abraham worked his socks off up front which was great to see despite not really having the chances he would have wanted but the stars of the show were Mason Mount and Willian. Both pressed high and worked so hard without the ball. With the ball at their feet their decision making was great and both were instrumental in the victory.

So we head into Christmas knowing that we have taken another three points against Tottenham and have stopped their run whilst hopefully, setting the benchmark for us moving forward. Congratulations to Frank Lampard, Jody Morris and everyone at Chelsea who delivered another blow to Jose Mourinho with the tactical masterclass.

Tottenham - the gift that keeps on giving. Merry Christmas everyone!

SUPPORT MY CHANNEL AND ADD YOUR NAME TO THE END CREDITS - More info HERE - http://www.patreon.com/chelseadaft

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/chelsdaft

Twitter: http://twitter.com/chelsdaft

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chelsdaft