WHAT A GAME! Chelsea and Tottenham clashed (literally, as you’ll see in a moment) in a thrilling 2-2 London Derby that had everything a Premier League fan could imagine.
As I mentioned, this game had everything a Premier League fan could want: last minute goals, wonderfully volleys, eye-watering crosses, crushing tackles, fantastic saves, yellow cards, red cards, controversial refereeing decisions, and a contrast of two different, but equally great, styles of play. This game will go down as an instant classic.
It started off with Chelsea taking the game to Tottenham as they were their first game of the season in front of Stanford Bridge. Nevertheless, Antonio Conte’s Spurs held out just long enough that I thought Chelsea would blow a perfect opportunity to take an early led over their Top-4 rival….
But then Kalidou Koulibaly decided to make his entrance known to Stanford Bridge and his new Chelsea fans. The new signing center-back from Napoli smashed in a wonderful volley from the other new signing, Marc Cucurella’s, corner.
Chelsea really deserved that goal as just before the corner Kai Havertz missed one of his two sitters. The German striker really had a terrible game in front of goal, which is becoming a troubling trend with Chelsea strikers.
If he had just been able to put away one of his clear-cut chances (especially that second on from Reece James’ cross), then Chelsea would have easily taken the game away from Tottenham’s reach before the second Spurs goal.
With Havertz and Sterling (who also missed a sitter right in front of goal) missing easy chances, this game showed why Chelsea desperately need a striker if they want to secure a spot in the Top-4. They may have been able to get away with missing chances against relegation-fodder Everton last weekend, but they didn’t today with Spurs. And that will cost them in the Champions League hunt going forward.
Anyway, like I said, Spurs were able to punish Chelsea’s missed chances around the 70th minute mark with a Pierre-Emile Højbjerg precision strike from just outside the box. This goal was not only controversial because it came from a typically Jorginho mishap in his own box, but also because the referee and VAR missed an obvious foul on Havertz in the buildup.
I don’t know why VAR is used to spot the trivialist of handballs or offsides but is neglected on such egregious refereeing errors. Does that make sense to anyone? Even so, VAR didn’t get involved and the goal stood to the utter rage of Thomas Tuchel as he and Conte clashed on the sidelines (for the first time in this game).
Seeing as Thomas Tuchel looked kind of desperate by getting into it with Conte, I’d give this round to the Spurs boss (Conte-1, Tuchel-0)
After the goal, Chelsea continued to push and attempt to penetrate Tottenham’s resilient backline, to Antonio Conte’s delight.
This Tottenham team has been completely remade in the Italian managers’ image as now that Spurs are actually able to defend against overwhelming pressure. Under Mourinho or Pochettino, this team would have folded quicker than a bad poker player when Chelsea started to ramp up their attacks.
However, with Romero, Bissouma, and Leglet in the backline, plus Conte’s coaching, this team is 1000% better defensively.
But that couldn’t help them only seven minutes later from stopping Reece James from taking this game into his own hands and smashing the ball through Lloris (I don’t know how he didn’t save it, to be honest; he legitimately dived out of the way of the shot) to put Chelsea back on top. Chelsea’s third new signing, Raheem Sterling, made amends for his bad miss by setting up James on a dreadful Tottenham defensive breakdown.
Okay, I realize I was just praising Tottenham’s defense to the high heavens a second ago, but I don’t know what happened on that play. Somehow, Ben Davis was left all alone in front of goal to stop a 2 vs. 1 with James and Sterling attacking.
Yeah, he had no chance from the start.
And that was that for the game…or so I thought. With Stamford Bridge and new owner Todd Boehly roaring Chelsea on from the stands, the Blues were able to thwart Tottenham by only giving them half-chances for the remaining quarter of an hour. Until the 96′ when Harry Kane got a free header past Edouard Mendy to give Spurs’ their equalizer (and license for Conte to sprint down the touchline with joy).
But don’t think that this goal was without controversy as, just before Spurs got their corner away, Christian Romero pulled Marc Cucurella hair to try to gain an advantage on his leap.
Again, the ref missed the infraction and VAR declined to intervene. What is the actual point of VAR if it DOESN’T correct missed fouls?
I guess Thomas Tuchel agreed with my concerns too as when the final whistle blew, and the two managers shook hands, Tuchel decided this would be the best way to express his frustration by not letting go of Conte’s hand. Conte, understandable infuriated with Tuchel’s confrontation, went all “Conte” on him and a huge sideline brawl ensued with Spurs and Chelsea staff clashing with one another.
I’d give this bout to Tuchel as Conte looked completely shocked for a moment while Tuchel was pressing him before he went full “Conte” (Conte-1, Tuchel-1; Result: Inconclusive until next matchup.)
Anothy Taylor got the last word by showing a straight red to both Conte and Tuchel, which means both managers will now miss their teams, respective, next games.
Whew, what a game. This truly was a clash of titans as both teams showed that dropping points to one another this early on in the season will be detrimental come May/June and fought like crazy to prevent it. I can’t have any complaints on either team or their players (aside from Havertz’s finishing ability) as everyone gave their heart and souls to win this game.
I just wish every team played with the same spirit as these two (ahem…Man United…ahem).
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