The glaring Chelsea problem that Xabi Alonso is yet to solve after Cole Palmer sees red

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That was until his side fell apart against rivals Tottenham Hotspur, a side they have become so accustomed to beating at their home turf, on his worst night as Blues manager so far.Cole Palmer’s red card, which was sandwiched between two Spurs goals in the final 12 minutes, felt like one that could only happen on an occasion like this. Alonso used the phrase “emotional control” in his press conference before his first home derby, where he spoke of using the “electric” Stamford Bridge atmosphere to their advantage rather than their detriment.

They emerged deserved losers; was Tottenham’s first win at Stamford Bridge without conceding in 40 years.On the emotional front, Alonso recognises there is still very much work to do as he repeated a sentiment held when he arrived: “We can do better.”Xabi Alonso feels Chelsea ‘can do better’ on the disciplinary front (Reuters)Palmer leaves the field after being sent off against Tottenham (Getty)“We need to work and we need to improve in that,” he continued. The events that led to Fernandes and Palmer’s altercation showed a Spurs edge that he is not something he is trying to discourage.

That’s two wins from two since their warm-weather bonding camp in Marbella.Roberto De Zerbi likes seeing fight from his Tottenham players (Getty)Now the onus is on Alonso to show his powers of recovery. Alonso is charged with picking a player of great potential back up off the canvas.“We win, we lose together and it is part of the job to deal with and to overcome from mistakes, myself as well and everyone, so we support Mike and we support the rest of the team,” he said.Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders made a nightmare error on his full debut (PA Wire)Chelsea have shown the team that they can be under Alonso, but mentally his players remain raw - something that can be detrimental when it matters most.