Premier League champions Chelsea got the boost they badly needed on Sunday as a double from Marcos Alonso gave them a 2-1 victory over last season’s runners-up Tottenham Hotspur in Antonio Conte’s 50th game in charge.
The 26-year-old Spaniard struck the winner with less than three minutes remaining in an impressive show of character by Chelsea, after they had been pinned back when substitute Michy Batshuayi headed into his own net eight minutes from time.
Whilst the three points gets Conte’s side off the mark — the perfect riposte to their shock opening 3-2 defeat at home to Burnley — newboys Huddersfield Town made it two wins from two to sit just below leaders Manchester United on six points.
Here’s how the players rated at Wembley.
TOTTENHAM
HUGO LLORIS – 4/10
There was little Lloris could have done about Chelsea’s first goal, but the second was entirely his fault – Alonso’s shot should have been a routine save, not the winning goal.
KIERAN TRIPPIER – 5/10
It was harsh that Kyle Walker-Peters – who produced an excellent display last week – was dropped, but Trippier had the right to be reinstated after recovering from his injury.
Tireless down the right flank, but was not as consistent with his crossing as he normally is.
TOBY ALDERWEIRELD – 6/10
The Belgian was culpable once when Alvaro Morata nearly scored, but otherwise he played more of an attacking role than a defensive one.
JAN VERTONGHEN – 6/10
Vertonghen could have been sent off for a tackle on Victor Moses in the second half, but other than that he hardly put a foot wrong – despite ending up on the losing side.
BEN DAVIES – 6/10
Was excellent on Spurs’ left flank, keeping the Chelsea defence busy and always offering an outlet for attack. Forced Courtois into a smart save.
VICTOR WANYAMA – 5/10
Wanyama was at fault for Chelsea’s winner, giving away possession cheaply, and fluffed his lines when presented with a decent chance. Those two moments marred a decent performance.
ERIC DIER – 5/10
Held his own as usual in midfield, although was guilty of a few robust challenges. By the second half, Dier looked like a luxury as Spurs chased the game, and substituting him was the obvious decision for Mauricio Pochettino.
MOUSA DEMBELE – 7/10
He was Spurs’ most consistent performer on the day, and nearly scored with a rasping shot. Skillful as always and a strong presence in Spurs’ midfield.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6/10
Struggled to provide the flashes of brilliance he usually has in him to set up Spurs’ attacks, but it was his free kick that led to the team’s equaliser.
DELE ALLI – 6/10
Had his usual flicks and skills on display, including a couple of crisp first touches to skip away from Chelsea defenders. Ultimately, failed to take control of the game in the way he can.
HARRY KANE – 7/10
Kane’s August duck continues – he’s never scored in the Premier League in August – but really, it should have ended on Sunday. Hit the post with an excellent shot, and came close to scoring more than once.
SUBS
SON HEUNG-MIN – 5/10
Came on to provide more creativity as Spurs chased a goal, and he gave the Chelsea defence something to think about.
MOUSSA SISSOKO – 5/10
Pochettino at least seems to be placing more truth in the the much-derided Frenchman, as he started last week and came on to help Spurs’ push for an equaliser. Like so many times before, he failed to make an impact.
VINCENT JANSSEN – N/A
Came on right at the end after Chelsea had retaken the lead, and had no time to make any impact.
THIBAUT COURTOIS – 5/10
Looked shaky at times, but avoided making any fatal mistakes. In truth, Spurs didn’t test him as much as they would have expected.
VICTOR MOSES – 6/10
He didn’t make a telling impact on the game, but he was full of running as always and his energy and physicality were useful in Chelsea’s bid to hold Spurs off.
CESAR AZPILICUETA – 7/10
After one game in his more natural right wingback position, Azpilicueta was restored to the right-sided centre-back role he’s grown used to, and he had a solid game there yet again.
ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN – 6/10
Harry Kane embarrassed him on a couple of occasions in the first half, but the Dane recovered after the break to form a key part of Chelsea’s rearguard.
ANTHONY RUDIGER – 6/10
His lack of Premier League experience showed, but he just about held his own against Kane and company. Needs to improve to justify being an automatic starter.
MARCOS ALONSO – 9/10
A man-of-the match performance. Scored a brilliant free-kick, defended well, and crucially, added the winner with two minutes remaining.
DAVID LUIZ – 7/10
Despite his excellent season as part of Chelsea’s back three last campaign, there has always been a school of thought that Luiz is better utilised in midfield than as a central defender. A brave and determined performance.
TIEMOUE BAKAYOKO – 6/10
Rushed back from injury and in a new league, Bakayoko performed as well as could be expected. It was his foul that led to Spurs’ equaliser, but overall, that was a promising debut.
N’GOLO KANTE – 7/10
Another performance that showed Kante’s value. Tireless running, smart distribution, and always in the right place at the right time.
WILLIAN – 6/10
Until he burst into life in the second half with a couple of mazy runs and a thunderous shot that hit the post, Willian struggled to make an impact on the game and was substituted after 78 minutes.
ALVARO MORATA – 4/10
The Spaniard instantly gave Chelsea hope last week, scoring his first goal. Sunday’s performance was a complete contrast, and he struggled to hold up the ball throughout the game, and missed a glorious chance to open the scoring.
SUBS
PEDRO – 5/10
Didn’t really have much time to impact the game, but his pace asked questions of the Spurs defence.
MICHY BATSHUAYI – 4/10
Within three minutes of coming on, Batshuayi had scored – against his own team. Thankfully, Alonso saved his blushes after his own goal.
