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Roy Keane Slams Spurs After Second Half Collapse Against Chelsea

Roy Keane Slams Spurs After Second Half Collapse Against Chelsea

The former Manchester United captain did not hold back in his criticism of Nuno Espírito Santo's side.

James Aldred

James Aldred

Roy Keane has heavily criticised Tottenham Hotspur after their 3-0 defeat to league leaders Chelsea this evening.

Goals from Thiago Silva and Antonio Rüdiger either side of an Eric Dier own goal condemned Nuno Espírito Santo's men to a second consecutive Premier League defeat. Whilst many were full of praise for Thomas Tuchel's tactical tweaks at half time, Keane said Spurs made it easy for their opponents


"I obviously thought Chelsea were excellent," he said after the match on Sky Sports. "We know what they're about now- real quality, a lot of energy, desire. Men vs boys. I couldn't believe how bad Spurs were.

You can have an off day and obviously sometimes you lose to quality but the lack of desire, particularly we saw with the second and probably the last goal... all the goals. Talk about wanting to put your body on the line."

Tottenham had held their own for much of the first 45 minutes and were praised by both Gary Neville and Micah Richards as they went in level at the break. However, Keane said Spurs' first half efforts were irrelevant and that more attention should be paid to how they played in the second half.

"The game is 90 odd minutes long," he continued. "This idea when teams do well, 'oh they did well in the first half'- it doesn't matter. It's over the course of a game. You get through your difficult spells. Like Gary said in commentary, you try and survive. You stay in the game.

Image Credit- PA Images
Image Credit- PA Images

Chelsea have a brilliant team. We saw that with the substitutions coming on. Pure quality. I've no problem with them (Tottenham) being short of quality. And I'm including (Harry) Kane- his body language today... oh my goodness. I'm pretty angry watching Spurs today."

Keane's fellow pundit, ex-Liverpool midfielder and manager Graeme Souness, shared the Irishman's sentiments.

"We talk about Chelsea and how wonderful they are- they're all doing the basics right," he said. "They're playing like a team, like stopping crosses, like getting blocks in, like pressing together, not individually. And Spurs looked a team that were not a team.

Image Credit- PA Images
Image Credit- PA Images

They're making fundamental mistakes which led to goals and at this level... it's the highest level. If you don't do the basics right, you will get punished."

After heading to Molineux for a League Cup tie against Wolves on Wednesday night, Tottenham have the small matter of a North London Derby at The Emirates Stadium to contend with next Sunday afternoon

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Thomas Tuchel, Eric Dier, Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Premier League, Nuno Espirito Santo, Graeme Souness, Roy Keane, Harry Kane