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Jamie Carragher labelled Tottenham “absolutely awful” in their loss to Chelsea as he felt they were “rightly” booed in a “bad” moment during the game.

Spurs came into the weekend with a three-point lead in the Premier League over London rivals Chelsea. They had won five of their nine games, placing them third in the league on 17 points.

But the Blues are now breathing down Tottenham‘s neck, having beaten them to join them on 17 points, and Enzo Maresca’s side are now fourth, only having a slightly worse goal difference.

Chelsea had 15 shots and nine on target, compared to three and one for Spurs, and throughout the game the commentary team remarked how the Blues could have scored more, with it felt goalscorer Joao Pedro could easily have had a hat-trick in the first half.

Liverpool legend Carragher hit out at Spurs during the closing stages of the match on commentary, when they had a free kick in their own half, and with all but two outfielders in the Chelsea half, Guglielmo Vicario played the ball to one of them – Djed Spence – who had to play it back, and nothing was made of the chance to hit the ball up field.

Carragher said: “You have been absolutely awful today, Tottenham. Listen to the boos in the stadium and rightly so, how bad is that?

“Tottenham couldn’t complain, this game should be 4-0.”

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After the match, former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp shared similar sentiments on the poor performance from the side.

He said: “Easy as it gets. If that was a boxing match they’d have stopped it. That was one of the worst performances I’ve seen of Tottenham.

“They never laid a glove on this Chelsea side. They had no idea how to play out. They made it so easy.”

Indeed, the stats do not make for good reading from a Spurs point of view. The only major statistic that they beat Chelsea on was the amount of corners they won – six compared to the Blues’ five.

The opposition had more shots, shots on target, possession, passes, better pass accuracy and were shown fewer yellow cards.

The home form of Tottenham will be a worry, given they’ve won just four times at home in the last year in the Premier League.

Ex-Manchester United winger Nani has explained why he thinks his former club needs to sign “complete” Tottenham Hotspur star Joao Palhinha.

The centre-midfielder joined Spurs in the summer after previously shining in the Premier League with Fulham, though he struggled to break into Bayern Munich’s starting XI.

Palhinha has impressed for Tottenham at the start of this campaign and has already proven to be one of the signings of the season in the Premier League.

Man Utd have previously been linked with Palhinha and they are going to be in the market for a No.6 next year after failing to land Carlos Baleba in the summer.

Nani thinks Palhinha has two qualities that would ensure that he “fits into Man United’s DNA”.

“Joao Palhinha is a great player. I played with him at Sporting, where he was growing and learning a lot. After a few years, he became one of the best players in his position,” Nani said in an interview with Covers.com.

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“He’s very strong and talented at winning and recovering the ball, and tackling. He’s also improved his forward play, scoring goals, connecting with the team, and moving forward with the ball. He’s become a complete player in his position.

“I think he’s a great player and can do really well for Tottenham. He had an opportunity with Bayern and we’re not sure what will happen next season, but he’s a player who can play for any team in the world.

“He just needs to be consistent and fit, as injuries sometimes cause problems. I trust he will have a fantastic career.”

Nani added: “He is a player with energy, with power to recover balls and to fight, that is something that fits into Man United’s DNA.”

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Nani has also boldly argued that the Red Devils could win the Premier League this season.

“Why not?’” Nani said when asked whether Man Utd can win the Premier League this season.

“They are building a strong team and are trying to get back into real competition with the teams that are always at the top of the table: Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Man City. So, they are there now. They have the possibility.

“If they win the next few games, everything can change. So, we never know. Let’s keep on winning games and then we’ll see.”

Tottenham are a little hard to fathom under new boss Thomas Frank so far.

Clearly there is plenty of good after they ended last weekend third in the table following a 3-0 win at Everton.

But season-ticket holders at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium haven’t had much to celebrate on the Tube home as Spurs’ last three home Premier League games have resulted in a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth, a 1-1 draw with rock-bottom Wolves and a 2-1 reverse against Aston Villa.

Tottenham have the best away record in the top flight but Leeds and Burnley have managed more home wins than Frank’s side so far and even Wolves have scored more goals in front of their home fans.

But if Frank’s side are slightly unpredictable, how about the enigma that is Chelsea?

Inconsistency in the Premier League has left them in mid-table while their last two results perhaps sum it all up: a gut-punch 2-1 home loss to Sunderland followed by a 4-3 Carabao Cup win at Wolves after they’d led 3-0 at the break.

The one constant is that they have a brilliant record in this fixture, especially at Spurs where Chelsea have won five of the last six.

How to watch Spurs v Chelsea

Spurs vs Chelsea kicks off at 17:30 GMT on Saturday, November 1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The game will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage starting from 4pm.

BBC Radio 5 will provide full match commentary.

Spurs team news

Tottenham still have several definite absentees, with Dominic Solanke, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusaevski missing, the latter two long-term.

But Wilson Odobert, Christian Romero, Archie Gray and Destiny Udogie are closer to returning and may play a part.

Frank wants more goals at home so will hope Randal Kolo Muani can find his scoring boots after failing to deliver so far.

Spurs expected line-up

(4-2-3-1) Vicario; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Bentancur; Kudus, Xavi, Bergvall; Kolo Muani.

Chelsea team news

Cole Palmer’s continued absence deprives Chelsea of attacking spark and with Joao Pedro firing blanks and Liam Delap suspended after his red card against Wolves, the calls for Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian to be given more game time are growing.

Andrey Santos is also pushing for a start after netting against Wolves and setting up two others while Jamie Gittens is also a contender.

At the back, Reece James still needs his minutes managed but is likely to be given the nod here rather than play next week’s Champions League fixture away to Qarabag.

Chelsea expected line-up

(4-2-3-1) Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Santos, Estevao, Pedro.

Spurs vs Chelsea stats

– Spurs have won just one of their last 13 Premier League games against Chelsea (D2 L10), losing the last four in a row since a 2-0 home win in February 2023.

– Chelsea have won five of their six Premier League games against Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (L1), earning more victories at the ground than any other visiting side.

– Tottenham have won five of their nine Premier League matches this season (D2 L2), as many as they won in their last 26 games under Ange Postecoglou last season (D4 L17).

– Chelsea have lost three of their last five Premier League matches (W2), more than they’d lost in their previous 16 combined (W10 D4 L2).

– Only Arsenal (7) and Chelsea (6) have scored more Premier League goals from corners this season than Tottenham (5), while in the last two seasons only the Gunners (21) have netted more than Spurs (15).

– Chelsea have won four of their last seven away Premier League matches (D1 L2), having gone eight winless on the road beforehand.

– Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has lost just two of his eight Premier League games against Chelsea (W3 D3). However, all three of those victories have come at Stamford Bridge.

– Five of Tottenham’s 17 Premier League goals this season have come via headers (29.4%).

Spurs vs Chelsea predictions

Both these sides have looked better and played more freely on the road so there’s certainly a temptation to go with Chelsea, the marginal 6/4 favourites ahead of 13/8 Spurs.

But the safer bet here is probably goals.

Chelsea have scored 15 times in their latest five matches, including seven in their last two away games, while Tottenham head into this weekend as the Premier League’s joint-highest scorers with Manchester City on 17.

So this could be an evening to have some goalscorer bets.

Tottenham’s joint-top scorer in the Premier League this season is Micky Van de Ven – a surprise but one that has logic given the focus Frank puts on set pieces.

The big defender is worth a punt at 7/1 to score anytime.

For Chelsea, who have scored eight goals in their last two away games at Spurs (4-3 and 4-1 wins), Estevao takes the eye.

Spurs star Richarlison has reportedly ‘said yes’ to a ‘sensational return’ to Premier League rivals Everton, though this deal hinges on two ‘key’ factors.

Injuries and poor form have marred Richarlison during his time at Spurs and he was heavily linked with a potential exit in the summer.

A potential move to the Saudi Pro League has been consistently mooted in recent months, though he has been offered a lifeline by new Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank.

Richarlison started this season as Tottenham’s first-choice striker and he impressed for the north London outfit, grabbing three goals and two assists in his nine Premier League appearances.

Despite this, Richarlison remains linked with an exit and a report earlier this week claimed that Spurs plan to ‘accept an offer’ for the forward in January.

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A possible move to the MLS has also been floated, while it has been suggested that he could return to Everton.

The Toffees are on the rise under David Moyes, though they are lacking in the striking department and will likely look to sign a new No.9 in January.

And according to our pals at TEAMtalk claims Richarlison has ‘said yes’ to Everton ahead of this winter transfer window, though this deal hinges on two ‘key’ conditions before a full ‘green light’ can be given.

Firstly, it depends on ‘what kind of deal Spurs would be willing to entertain’, with it also noted that ‘Tottenham will almost certainly only entertain letting Richarlison go if they sign a new striker of their own in January’.

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Football Insider are also reporting that he has ‘opened the door to a sensational return to Everton’.

Former Premier League chief scout Mick Brown, who remains ‘very well connected within the game’, claims Richarlison is “still very highly thought of at Everton”.

“I’m told Richarlison is still very highly thought of at Everton,” Brown told Football Insider.

“Personally, he never seems to command a place in the starting XI with any sort of certainty, he’s not consistent enough to be a regular number nine. But that’s a decision for the powers that be to decide, and if they look at him and think he would be an improvement on what they’ve got at the moment, they could make a move.

“Not being quite good enough to start every week for Tottenham doesn’t necessarily come into it, it’s about whether he’s an improvement for Everton.

“They want to sign a new striker, because the current two have not been good enough. Richarlison isn’t the only one they’re looking at, they will have a few options on their radar.

“In terms of his future at Tottenham, if he’s going to be in and out of the side and not getting consistent starts, he might have a few questions about his place in the team.

“Interest from teams like Everton, who could offer him more regular starts, could tempt him to make a move.

“If that is the case, he’ll speak to Frank and Tottenham about what his role is in their plans, and if he’s not going to be a regular starter, maybe he could move on. Then, it will just be about the price tag and whether Spurs will let him go.”

Tottenham are ‘offering’ £60m to Premier League rivals West Ham for Jarrod Bowen ahead of the January transfer window, according to reports.

Spurs are having a good season in the Premier League with new head coach Thomas Frank leading them to third place in the standings after nine matches.

Tottenham have scored the joint most goals in the Premier League with Manchester City and Chelsea also scoring 17 goals this term.

It has shown that Spurs can share the goals around their team with Micky van der Ven and Richarlison scoring the most goals on three each for the season.

But Frank is looking for more consistent goalscorers at the top end of the pitch and West Ham forward Bowen, who has scored three times this season for the 19th-placed Hammers, is attracting interest from Tottenham.

Spanish publication Fichajes insists that Tottenham are ‘offering’ £60m for Bowen as the West Ham man ‘may be considering leaving the London project’.

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Spurs are ‘looking to bolster its attack and sees Bowen as a high-impact signing’ and the Hammers ‘are not ruling out a sale if they receive an offer that meets their expectations’.

In January, ‘a loan or a move for a lower fee seems unlikely’ and the mooted £60m fee is ‘not a guarantee in the current market, but it could be enough to open negotiations’.

The report adds: ‘Bowen, for his part, has to consider the risks: leaving a club like West Ham with a long-term contract and stability to take on the pressure of performing at a more demanding club. But given his ambition and current circumstances, the decision could be imminent.’

Another player Tottenham are being linked with is Jean-Philippe Mateta and Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke insists the Frenchman would be a “good fit” but doesn’t seem a deal happening in the winter window.

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O’Rourke told Football Insider: “He’s been instrumental in Palace‘s success in the last 18 months with 17 goals last season, 46 appearances, he’s carried that fine form into this season.

“Spurs have been there with a number of strikers in recent weeks and months. It does seem like it’s an area of the team they would like to strengthen.

“Mateta could be a good fit for them and everything, but I don’t see any deal happening in January.

“I think all interested parties in Mateta might have to wait till the summer because I don’t think Palace would let him go in January.

“And if he doesn’t sign a new contract before next summer, then that might increase the possibility of the player moving on and Palace being open to an offer for him.”

Tottenham summer signing Xavi Simons has been told “he can’t keep up with the speed of action” in the Premier League since joining Spurs.

The Netherlands international signed for Tottenham in the summer transfer window from RB Leipzig in a deal worth around £52m.

There were rumours that many clubs were interested in buying Simons in the summer but some may be thankful they didn’t go down that route.

Simons has contributed no goals and one assist in ten appearances in all competitions for Thomas Frank’s men this season after providing ten goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga last term.

And Dutch journalist Johan Derksen thinks Simons currently lacks the physical strength to succeed in the Premier League despite possessing all the needed technical attributes.

Derksen said on the Groeten uit Grolloo podcast: “He’s a great player who often used his tricks in the Netherlands. He also performed well in Germany, but in England, they are much stronger physically. If you look at the English league and switch to a different league, it’s completely different.

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“You can see that he can’t keep up with the speed of action and is physically weaker. While Tijjani Reijnders doesn’t have that problem; he’s already one of the leading players at Manchester City.”

Derksen added: “In the past, a lightweight with good technique could easily hold his own. Technique is no longer the only thing you need to contribute; you also need physical strength at the top level.”

Tottenham boss Frank used Florian Wirtz’s struggles for Liverpool as an example to explain why Simons has been underperforming for Spurs.

Frank told reporters: “I think that’s a very good question. Also, a very good comparison with Wirtz, who is also a very good player, just like Xavi.

“A very good player coming into a couple of things – new country, new club, new city. You just need to settle in, and it is part of it.

“We are all getting judged every game. But we also need to see the little bit bigger perspective and see it over time.

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“I always look for glimpses and bits and pieces we are working at. So, for example, Xavi, I think there were some good bits. I worked with him and asked him to be more arriving in the box, which, when I looked back at the game, he did.

“Was there a big eye-catching moment? No, but there were good glimpses. So I think it’s constantly going a little bit in the right direction.”

Tottenham are looking at the possibility of improving their forward line in the January transfer window with Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport claiming that Spurs and Bayern Munich are ‘serious’ about signing Jonathan David, who has just one goal in ten appearances since his summer transfer from French side Lille.

According to reports, Tottenham Hotspur head coach has ‘decided’ that he ‘doesn’t fancy’ Dominic Solanke as the club have turned to a replacement.

Solanke joined Spurs during Ange Postecoglou’s spell in charge as he bolstered their attack following Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich.

The 28-year-old enjoyed a strong debut season at Tottenham as he grabbed 16 goals and eight assists in all competitions, but he has dropped in the pecking order following the arrival of Frank in the summer.

Solanke was behind Richarlison in the pecking order at the start of this campaign and he has been out with an ankle injury in recent weeks.

Spurs also have Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel to choose from, while Richarlison and Micky van de Ven currently sit as their joint-top scorers this season with three goals apiece.

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Solanke is likely to face an uphill fight to get back into Tottenham’s starting XI when he returns to full fitness as a report from Football Insider claims Frank ‘doesn’t fancy’ the forward.

Frank is said to have been ‘unimpressed’ by Solanke this season and has ‘decided’ that he wants Spurs to sign a new striker in January.

However, the report has explained why he may have to settle with his current options for the rest of this campaign.

The report claims:

‘Sources say that in an ideal world, Tottenham would bring in a striker when the window reopens, but it is notoriously difficult to do business in January.

‘Therefore, the more likely scenario is that Frank will have to utilise his current squad, rather than relying on additions.’

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Despite this, a report from Caught Offside claims Spurs have opted to turn to Porto standout Samu Aghehowa, who has a 100 million euro (£86m) release clause in his contract, as a possible replacement.

Spurs are said to face competition from Arsenal, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest for his services, though Frank’s side are said to be the ‘most interested’ club.

It is also suggested that the striker could be available for a fee below his release clause.

The report claims:

‘Porto fully own the player’s rights and have placed a €100 million release clause in his contract. The Portuguese giants are adamant they will not negotiate below that figure. However, sources close to the club suggest that financial pressures could soften their stance if a substantial bid is presented.

‘Spurs have discussed the possibility of an initial short-term deal with an option to buy, though Porto’s firm valuation remains a major obstacle.’

There are precious few ‘firsts’ yet to take place in the 33-year history of the Premier League. But what is perhaps the final frontier seems likely to be conquered soon.

Having seen his old set-piece coach humble the champions not 24 hours earlier, Thomas Frank provided captivating proof that Brentford have forgotten to revoke his access to the Google Doc which contains their dead-ball routines.

David Moyes concurred that Everton were “undone” by corners against Spurs. The Toffees were the only Premier League side yet to concede from a set piece all season – as the curse-harbouring commentator warned before one potent delivery – but were breached and bullied twice here.

It was salt in the wound for Jake O’Brien to have his equaliser disallowed for offside, with Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish penalised for making Guglielmo Vicario the filling in a particularly skilful sandwich. It was the correct call but a harsh reminder of the fine margins considering Spurs doubled their lead and basically rendered the contest moot a quarter of an hour later.

There were rumblings of frustration with Micky van de Ven nudging Jordan Pickford off balance for his second goal, but there should only really be introspection when a 6ft 4ins centre-half is allowed a free header from about three yards out.

Van de Ven had diverted a Rodrigo Bentancur header from almost exactly the same position 25 minutes earlier, which meant an entire half of seeing whether the Dutchman could make history.

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But the whistle soon after his second marked his last attacking contribution. The rest of the game became an inevitable training session in deep defending for the visitors as Everton threw their not inconsiderable weight behind an unlikely comeback.

Beto really ought to have scored, Grealish had a decent chance and Ndiaye was electric. Yet Spurs under Frank are made of stern enough stuff – their recent slight wobble notwithstanding – to weather what was more of a slight downpour than a storm.

It did prevent Van de Ven from scaling that seemingly impossible mountain. His final touches on stunning corners from Mohammed Kudus and Pedro Porro teased a first Premier League hat-trick ever scored by a defender but it remains elusive – for now.

There is a tantalising sense that we are getting closer, that the spirit of Ronald Koeman is being evoked in Our League, and the caveats about Steve Watson having actually been repurposed as an attacking midfielder when he tormented Leeds two decades ago need no longer be made.

Moyes oversaw that feat which has often been erroneously cited as the first Premier League hat-trick scored by a defender, and might well have feared being on the wrong side of it when Van de Ven made his presence felt.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank feels there is a “very good comparison” between Xavi Simons and Florian Wirtz, with the Spurs and Liverpool new boys struggling – and the stats show why that is.

Spurs spent over £50million on Simons in the summer, and he’s so far returned one assist. Liverpool, meanwhile, spent £115million on Wirtz, and his tally is also just a single assist.

Both men were signed after having success in the Bundesliga – Simons was directly involved in 17 goals in the German top flight last season, while Wirtz had 23 direct goal contributions.

Tottenham boss Frank feels the struggles both are going through in adapting to England are similar.

He said: “I think that’s a very good question. Also, a very good comparison with Wirtz, who is also a very good player, just like Xavi.

“A very good player coming into a couple of things – new country, new club, new city. You just need to settle in, and it is part of it.

“We are all getting judged every game. But we also need to see the little bit bigger perspective and see it over time.

“I always look for glimpses and bits and pieces we are working at. So, for example, Xavi, I think there were some good bits. I worked with him and asked him to be more arriving in the box, which, when I looked back at the game, he did.

“Was there a big eye-catching moment? No, but there were good glimpses. So I think it’s constantly going a little bit in the right direction.”

The similarities between the pair don’t just stop at their struggles, but that both are coming from systems in the Bundesliga in which they were the main men.

In the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig, Simons floated where he wanted and was the focal point in the attack, largely drifting out towards the left to pick the ball up.

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As per SofaScore, he averaged 68 touches per game and two key passes. In the Premier League for Tottenham, that’s down to 41.2 touches per game – largely coming closer to the left flank than he’s used to being – and 1.2 key passes.

Wirtz’s numbers have dropped markedly at Liverpool, he was touching the ball on average 73.4 times a game at Bayer Leverkusen and providing 1.8 key passes – and that’s down to 46.8 in the Premier League, though he’s actually making 1.9 key passes per game, suggesting the attackers aren’t doing with the chances what they should be.

Were he getting more touches, though, there’d be more opportunities for Liverpool’s attack to finish off what he’s providing.

Wirtz is also having to drop deeper and spread himself thinner, picking the ball up in various areas across the width of the pitch, rather than his preferred area towards the left of the final third when he was playing in Germany.

Both men clearly have the ability and the potential to come good in new surroundings, but that they are no longer the main men is not helping them, and it’s hard to gain that status with big stars around taking the touches they are used to having for themselves.

Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle feels a new signing “needs time” to adapt as he recalled his own struggles after a big move, leaving Arsene Wenger thinking “what have I bought?”

Spurs splashed over £180million on fresh talent in the summer. The most expensive of those signings was Xavi Simons, who cost an initial £51million fee.

Since his arrival in north London, the former RB Leipzig man has just one assist in eight games, and has floated between the left-wing and the No.10 slot, with Thomas Frank seemingly unaware of where he is best suited.

Tottenham legend Hoddle feels Simons needs more time to adapt to the Premier League, remembering his own struggles in a new environment when he left Spurs for Monaco in 1987.

He said on talkSPORT: “Talking about Xavi – it’s interesting, because it is very early in this stage.

“When you’re a creative player, I remember when I first came out here to Monaco, and I was 27. The first two months were all new to me, on and off the pitch. I couldn’t get on the ball properly, and I wasn’t playing well.

“I think you need a little bit of time. If you’re a defender, or a wide player, but when you’re the number 10, the creator, who has to go there and everyone is looking at you and you’ve got to create and open doors.

“I think this lad has got ability, whether he can do it in the Premier League is the big question, but he does need a bit more time.

“In this day and age, it’s a bit more instant. I’m sure the way I played in the first two years, Arsene Wenger must have been thinking ‘Oh my God, what have I bought?”

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Indeed, in his first couple of months with Monaco, Hoddle scored just three times, but finished his 87-game spell there with 30 goals.

While that does not mean Simons will grow to have the same impact with Spurs, Hoddle was a star before his big move and after he adapted, he found his feet.

Simons was clearly a good player at Leipzig, and if he can learn how to be effective in the Premier League, he can show the same sort of form which made the north London club buy him for over £50million.