Mourinho feud may see Costa quit EPL

Kisses and cuddles might not be enough for Costa

Jose Mourinho claimed his on-pitch spat with Diego Costa in midweek had been cured by kisses and cuddles, but the 27-year-old was still dropped for the first time for the trip to White Hart Lane. Despite the fact he was Chelsea’s only fit striker, Costa started on the substitutes’ bench after scoring just four goals this season. It was also apparent that Costa did not warm up with the rest of his team-mates ahead of kick-off against Tottenham.

Having pondered a move away from Stamford Bridge in the summer, Costa may well decide he wants to quit England at the end of this season and Chelsea will not necessarily stand in his way. In the meantime, however, Mourinho will need a new striker as early as January if he really has lost faith in Costa.

Pedro is finding his feet

By his own admission, Pedro Rodriguez has struggled to adapt to English football in a losing team. There have been signs that the Spaniard is starting to settle in over recent weeks and that was again evident at White Hart Lane.

With Costa left out, Pedro’s task was to support makeshift striker Eden Hazard and his speed of thought and feet caused the Tottenham defence problems on numerous occasions. Chelsea have been ponderous in attack this season, but an in-form Pedro can give them a genuine spark and a different threat.

Kyle Walker thriving on competition

Having burst onto the scene as one of the most exciting right-backs in the Premier League, Kyle Walker lost his way at Tottenham. Prone to a big mistake, Walker looked to be heading into the category of promising full-backs who never learn the art of defence.

But with Kieran Trippier brought in to put pressure on him, Walker has upped his game for Spurs and England this season, and, once again, looks like a right-back of real promise.

Will Daniel Levy break old habits?

Tottenham have been here before. In 2012, former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp felt his team could be genuine title challengers. He asked for Carlos Tevez and Gary Cahill in the January transfer window, but got Louis Saha and Ryan Nelsen. With no one team dominating this season’s Premier League, Tottenham again have the chance to put real pressure on the more traditional challengers.

But Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will have to decide whether he is happy to just flirt with the top four and the title hopefuls, or is he serious about winning trophies? Pochettino won’t be asking for star names, but he will be keen for January reinforcements and Levy should back him.

Tired Tottenham

Eight of the Tottenham players who arrived back in England on Friday morning after Europa League duty started again against Chelsea.

In normal circumstances, the home side would have looked to make a fast start and take advantage of the Blues’ vulnerabilities, but it was clear that Spurs did not quite have the legs to set a high pace. Chelsea of last season would have taken full advantage. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH