Xabi Alonso defended Mike Penders after the goalkeeper’s own goal helped Tottenham to a 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Blues’ manager stated that mistakes are part of the job for a squad to overcome.
Penders, 21, was making his first Premier League start in place of the injured Emiliano Martinez, who underwent surgery on a fractured jaw. The Belgian came out to punch Mateus Fernandes’ corner in the 77th minute, and on being challenged by Jan Paul van Hecke, he sent the ball backwards over his own line.
