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Football London
Football London
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Josh Challies & Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Martin Keown names the Tottenham player who "completely changed the game" against Chelsea

Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder Erik Lamela "completely changed the game" against Chelsea.

That's according to Arsenal legend Martin Keown.

The Argentine started the game as a substitute as head coach Jose Mourinho opted to go with a back five and Tanguy N'dombele, Harry Winks and Giovani Lo Celso in midfield.

Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham: Jose Mourinho post-match press conference

But he came on with the visitors trailing 2-0 at Stamford Bridge and was involved in the incident which saw Antonio Rudiger put the ball into his own net to set up a grandstand finish.

Whilst Spurs were unable to conjure up an equaliser, Lamela's cameo was a shining light for Keown.

The BBC pundit noted how Lamela's introduction coincided with the Lilywhites' improved performance as Keown hit out at Mourinho's initial negative game plan.

"There was no conviction, no expression, and I think it’s coming from Mourinho in terms of the mindset," Keown said on Match of the Day. "They set up today with a three, they tried to contain Chelsea and they weren’t able to change.

"It's all too safe, they're ignoring passes, they're passive in their play.

"Nobody seems to be attuned to their play, I don't know what their identity is now.

"They committed to long passes but then they made the changes.

"I thought Lamela completely changed the game, he played with conviction, expression, they got lucky with the goal but they deserved something for their improvements.

"But I don't agree with Mourinho that he doesn’t have the necessary firepower, he definitely has, it's just the message that he's given to those players."

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