Chelsea’s high standard must be maintained, insists Willian
CHELSEA match-winner Willian wants his side’s 2-0 win at Tottenham to be the benchmark for the rest of the season.
The Blues ensured they will spend Christmas in the Premier League top four after Willian’s two goals gave them an impressive win at their London rivals, although it was overshadowed by the shameful racist abuse towards Antonio Rudiger.
Willian was one of the stars of the show, benefitting from Frank Lampard’s tactical switch which saw the apprentice outfox his former master Jose Mourinho.
It leaves Chelsea four points clear in fourth place and six ahead of Spurs after the timely win, after suffering four defeats in their previous five games.
Willian says his side have to recreate that level of performance, starting with Boxing Day’s clash with Southampton.
“We did a good job from the first minute,” he said. “This kind of game is about mentality and how we fight for every ball, in every minute, in every situation. And we did everything to win this game.
“We showed everything — personality, and we fight for every ball. We played, we controlled the game, and that’s why we won.
“We have to carry on. We cannot go up and down any more. We have more games now to come and we have to win games to stay at the top, so I think we can do it.
“I think we have to do exactly the same job. When we play away, we now have to do it at home, as simple as that. We have to win at home. No option, we have to win.”
Willian is intrinsically linked to Spurs, having been in the midst of a medical in north London when Mourinho, then in his second spell as Chelsea manager, pinched him from under his current employer’s nose in 2013.
“It’s special to score in every gamebutwhenyouhaveaderby it’s different,” he said.
“I’m happy with the goals, I’m happy with the performance and we have to keep the momentum.”
THE racism crisis which marred Sunday’s Premier League fixture between Tottenham and Chelsea continues to worsen after the Metropolitan Police confirmed a supporter was arrested for racially abusing Son Heung-min.
Three announcements were made over the speaker system at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium stating that “racist behaviour from spectators is interfering with the game” after Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger reported hearing monkey chants to match officials.
Tottenham vowed to take “the strongest possible” action against anybody found guilty of abusing Rudiger, who released a statement after the game urging authorities to find and punish the offenders.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed it is investigating the incident, as well as the Football Association, and also revealed that a supporter was arrested for a racially aggravated public disorder offence.
It’s understood the offender aimed abuse at South Korean international Son, with the incident reported to authorities by fellow Chelsea supporters.
Tottenham say their investigation into the alleged racist abuse of Rudiger has been “inconclusive” so far.
Tottenham revealed they have scanned CCTV footage and engaged lip readers in an effort to identify any offenders since the incident, and promised to issue “lifetime bans” to any supporters found guilty as the investigation continues.
The club’s statement read: ”During yesterday’s match against Chelsea, Antonio Rudiger reported hearing alleged racist abuse from an individual(s) in the South Stand.
“We are able to track every fan via the cameras and have spent many hours reviewing CCTV footage. We have engaged lip readers to study the footage and contacted Chelsea for further information from their players. We have also taken statements from other parties present at the time. The police will be reviewing our evidence alongside us. Please be assured we shall be exhaustively investigating this matter.
“This Club has a proud track record of anti-racism work across all our communities and we are determined to ensure that we conduct a thorough investigation. Any fan found to be guilty will receive a lifetime ban. At this time however we should point out that our findings are inconclusive and would ask that comment is reserved until the facts are established.
“In respect of protocols — when the incident was conveyed to the referee, Anthony Taylor, he took the decision to call for the implementation of Stage 1 of the Uefa protocol — rather than the Premier League protocol — and asked for an announcement to be made, as well as requesting a further announcement which created a misconception that any issue was ongoing.
“The Premier League protocol differs from Uefa protocol in that it does not call for an announcement rather that the individual(s) be dealt with by the Safety Team in the first instance.
“We have asked that the Premier League clarifies the position regarding the use of these protocols to all stakeholders going forward.”
Jan Vertonghen says Tottenham do not identify with the “idiots” who allegedly chanted racist abuse at Rudiger.
“I didn’t hear anything, but if these things are still happening it is a disgrace and we should act strong against it,” the Spurs defender said.
“I have got no idea how people still, or ever, thought this way.
“Sometimes you think people are smarter than this. I am very convinced it is just a minority, but it is very wrong.
“I don’t know if it is getting worse. It shouldn’t be there in any way.
“I just cannot get my head around how people still do this today.
“I have got no words for it. If any of their players or our players are affected then I apologise in the name of Spurs, but they are minority idiots. We don’t identify with these people.”
Despite a growing rap sheet in this country, including an FA Cup game between Haringey and Yeovil being called off earlier this season, Vertonghen (left) does not think the problem is