The day Lampard cried all the way back to SW6 (yes, we beat them on penalties).

The day Lampard cried all the way back to SW6 (yes, we beat them on penalties).

It was a game that we weren't expected to win, with 9 changes, three games in a week, and even Mourinho prepared to sacrifice this game, it was there for Lampard to take the spoils. And guess what, he fluffed his lines, even with Dier taking time out to have a dump.

Thoughts:

Rather than end with my thoughts, let's start with them. Our first game of the season was a mess (against Everton), but after that excruciating game, we picked ourselves up. Even the theft of three points by Newcastle (thanks to the lunatics from the asylum) we were the better side, and we will/ are getting better. At the same time, the two Manchester clubs haven’t been performing well, add Chelsea and Arsenal to the equation, and all you’ve got left is Liverpool and us… ok, maybe with Leicester City and Everton thrown in. Yes, I fancy our chances. Not only to challenge for the title but also get some silverware. And we’ve still got Bale, all we need now is another striker and defender and Bobs your uncle and aunt Fanny is just that… a fanny… or is that “funny”?

Yes, 9 changes and we were ripe for the picking and Chelsea lost their way, even with extra days off.

To the match.

Let us start with Mason Mount, yes that Mason Mount who missed the crucial spot-kick as we edged past the Rentboys on penalties after a 1-1 draw to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. Mount, the hero of the night!! A total of nine penalties had been converted before Mount stepped up to take the 10th, but his hapless effort clipped the post and went wide, and we at home jumped for joy (a lovely girl!), the Spurs boys were beside themselves.

Chelsea indeed dominated the first half, and their new signing Timo Werner netted his first goal for the club with a clinical finish into the bottom corner, but that was as far as they got. They did the runaround until they run out of ideas (and steam). We responded, just after the break, magnificently – remember all those changes before the game?

Debutant Sergio Reguilon's side-footed effort from inside the area was pushed over the crossbar by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who was also making his first appearance for his new club (I bet he is wondering what he’s got himself into?).

Seven minutes from time Reguilon kicked the ball through to the back post for Erik Lamela to coolly convert from six yards. We were level, and we were delighted. We felt the change in the air. You could smell it, unless that was Frank Lampard shitting himself…

New rules, COVID-19 all around, which equated to no extra time played, so, straight to penalties and victory. Chelsea Mount-ed the curb and crashed the bus.

Now, going back a bit, before the game, Mourinho seemed to dismiss the competition before the match, saying the sheer number of fixtures his side face means he has to prioritise the Europa League as the money from it is "very important". Was this psychological bubble and toil/ ploy to fool the young and inexperienced Lampard? Yes, we do have a gruelling schedule; a run of four games in the space of eight days. After drawing with Newcastle on Sunday and getting past Chelsea on Tuesday, further matches follow on Thursday, against Maccabi Haifa in Europa League, and on Sunday, when we meet Manchester United in Premier League.

Nevertheless, Mourinho and the boys will be delighted at scraping through against Chelsea. This is a game that Pochettino would have lost, even against Orient, as he didn’t have any respect for this competition or the FA Cup.

As for new boy Reguilon, whose mistake led to Chelsea's goal, he improved as the game wore on, showcasing his electric pace and ability to create a goal. He was a constant outlet down the left in the second half, and it was he who picked out Lamela for the equaliser.

'When you've got to go, you've got to go' – the toilet called for Dier

A new phrase has entered the dictionary; if you want a dump, you are going for an Eric Dier. In the second period a bizarre incident happened, Eric Dier sprinted off the pitch and straight into the dressing room, followed quickly by a furious-looking Mourinho, before both re-emerged a couple of minutes later. It subsequently emerged that Dier had an urgent need of a shit (stomach cramps); Mourinho – I presumed it also emerged or will emerge – wasn’t chasing after Dier, but was following the sweet scent of curry, mixed in with the exotic perfume “DIOR Sauvage Eau de Toilette” or was that DIER Sauvage Eau de Toilette?

Dier, Lamela, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Lucas Moura and Harry Kane all converted their spot-kicks to help us through to the next round, which takes place in December. The draw will be made on Thursday.

Mourinho commented after the match, "Mentally this win gives us a lift. The feeling is good, on Thursday we have fresh players, and I hope they can give us what these boys gave us tonight." Hopefully, not the Dier shits, but a win.

The stats

Chelsea have lost six of their last eight League Cup penalty shootouts, including all three at the fourth-round stage (also v Burnley in 2008-09 and Stoke in 2015-16).

Jose Mourinho has progressed from 26 of his 31 League Cup ties, with this the first time he has ever progressed via a penalty shootout in the competition, losing his previous three.

Mourinho has faced Frank Lampard four times without winning in his managerial career (D2 L2) - twice as many as he has faced any other manager without registering at least one win.

Erik Lamela has been directly involved in six goals in his last four League Cup starts for us (3 goals, 3 assists).

Each of the two League Cup meetings between Mourinho and Lampard have gone to penalty shootouts, with both managers progressing once - Lampard in 2018-19 with Derby v Man Utd and Mourinho tonight with Spurs.

So, there you have it. A win that has lifted us to another level. Listening to talk Radio, the amount of Chelsea supporters questioning Lampard's position and whether his inexperience is holding the club back. I say let him stay so that he can contribute to their – hopefully – league decline. As for us, I can imagine Bill Nicholson smiling down on us and saying “Come On You Spurs!!”

Just one side note; which may or may not help. My passport was up for renewal in March (2021), and I was concerned that it was in the middle of European football games, but with no football, where we can visit, I decided to send it off now. Three options; post, computer or through the post office, where they do it all for you (even taking a photograph). I went for the last option, and it took me just under two weeks to get it back. I believe, doing it through the post could take months (they have a backlog).

What next:

Maccabi Haifa in Europa League on Thursday (1^st Oct, 8pm), and on Sunday, we meet Manchester United in Premier League (4.30).

Best regards, Glenn