Dele exit looming
There was to be no place in the Tottenham matchday squad for Dele Alli despite a handful of fitness issues for Sunday's Premier League clash against Chelsea.
Finding himself out of the squad a number of times last campaign under Jose Mourinho, the 25-year-old did initially come back into favour during Nuno Espirito Santo's tenure before dropping down to the bench.
Game time has been hard to come by for the player since the arrival of Antonio Conte in north London, with only two Premier League starts to his name.
An unused substitute in midweek for the thrilling win away at Leicester City, Alli's omission from the squad to face Chelsea subsequently dropped a huge hint about his future ahead of next Monday's January transfer deadline.
Newcastle United have been heavily linked with the player as they look to bring in some big names to help them in their fight for survival, while Everton are also believed to be interested in the attacking midfielder this month.
A sad end to a Tottenham career that promised so much after making such an impression following his move from MK Dons in 2015, Alli now faces a pivotal week as he looks to get his career back on track.
What next for Lo Celso?
Alli wasn't the only Tottenham player to miss the cut for the game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Tanguy Ndombele, who has been absent from the squad since the FA Cup game against Morecambe, was once again left out by Conte and he was joined by fellow 2019 summer arrival Giovani Lo Celso.
Despite a number of injury concerns after the midweek game at Leicester, the head coach elected to leave out the Argentine even though his player was fully fit.
Lo Celso took to Instagram shortly after team news emerged at 3.30pm and stated: "Regarding the questions I received I would like to clear out that I am 100% in good physical condition. I have no problem and I feel very well.
"I wish the best to my team in the derby today."
Spurs fans haven't seen the best of Lo Celso since his move to the club and a number of injury problems certainly haven't helped his case over the past three seasons.
Conte's decision now raises questions over what comes next for the ex-Real Betis man following his shock omission from the squad, especially with a week still to go in the January transfer market.
How Dier got through the game
Having to drop some of his Tottenham regulars down to the bench due to injuries sustained at Leicester, Conte was handed a boost ahead of the game with Eric Dier returning to the team.
Last featuring for Spurs on New Year's Day at Watford due to injury, the player's return was a huge boost for the Lilywhites as he has been a huge miss in defence this month.
Speaking in his pre-match interview with Sky Sports, Conte alluded to the extent of Tottenham's injury problems and claimed they were "in a bit of an emergency" for the game against Chelsea.
"It was important for us for Steven [Bergwijn] to score but especially to stay well in a good physical condition and in this way he can help us," he said.
"For Eric was out but now he is ready to come back and we need him because today we are in a bit of an emergency.
"To have these players were available was good for us."
Dier may have returned to the starting XI but he's clearly not 100 per cent fit at present as he could be seen wearing a lot of strapping on his right thigh.
However, it didn't seem to impact his play that much as he went on a driving run through the heart of midfield early in the first half and defended well throughout.
What happened before the restart
There was a rather contentious decision that went against Tottenham just prior to half-time as Harry Kane found the net.
Picked out in the box by Ryan Sessegnon, Kane turned and calmly slotted beyond Kepa Arrizabalaga to find the bottom corner.
However, referee Paul Tierney ruled it out for a push by the England captain on Thiago Silva.
Conte and his Spurs team were not impressed about the call to disallow the strike and duly made their feelings clear at the time, with Kane, Davinson Sanchez and Japhet Tanganga even going over to the referee as soon as the half-time whistle was blown.
Their complaints even carried on to just prior to the restart as the Sky cameras picked up on Kane, Ben Davies and coach Ryan Mason having a word once again with the referee just before they emerged for the second half.
It proved to be a huge call as the game may have panned out rather differently if the goal had stood.
Bergwijn's display
Tottenham's unbeaten run under Conte in the Premier League may have come to an end at Stamford Bridge but there was a positive he could take from the defeat.
Steven Bergwijn was one of four changes from the midweek win at Leicester City and he took his chance in the team with both hands.
Looking to cause problems with his pace for the Chelsea backline when he was in possession, the Dutchman felt that Thiago Silva should have been shown a second yellow for another foul on him and he brandished an imaginary referee yellow card to the referee as he looked for Spurs to gain a numerical advantage.
Later clashing with Malang Sarr and Cesar Azpilicueta either side of half-time, Bergwijn's passion was there to see during his time on the pitch.
He did look rather tired towards the end of the contest after not playing a lot of football recently but it will only do him good over the coming weeks.
