Chaotic. Frantic. Maddening. An unbelievable night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Nine men Tottenham lose for the first time this season in the most extraordinary game of football. Nicolas Jackson’s second half hattrick handed Mauricio Pochettino a winning return in north London.
Here are five things we learned from the game.
DrVARma, cards and disallowed goals in ridiculous first half
Embed from Getty ImagesThere is no simple way of summing up the first half. Spurs were in the mood, and went a goal up thanks to a deflected strike from Dejan Kulusevski. Heung-min Son added a second but he was denied by VAR for offside. Raheem Sterling equalised but it was disallowed for offside. Meanwhile Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie could have both have been sent off.
Moises Caicedo equalised but it was chalked off for offside, but in the same VAR check, a penalty was awarded for Chelsea and Romero was given his marching orders. Cole Palmer just about brought the game level from the spot. Chelsea scored once more but the flag was up, again. Ange Postecoglou received a yellow card, whilst a bust up between Pape Matar Sarr and Levi Colwill earned them bookings too. Not to mention twelve minutes of injury time…and breathe.
Spurs lost their heads
Embed from Getty ImagesTottenham had the game in the palm of their hands, leading 1-0 and looking like their brilliant best, but something riled them up. Some reckless tackles came flying in from Udogie and Romero and they were let off the hook. That was the catalyst for letting the game get away from the hosts. The careless challenges continued and both players went sent off for wild tackles, Romero seeing a straight red and Udogie a second yellow. Their inability to control themselves ended up costing Tottenham three points.
On another day, Son’s fractional offside goal would have counted if he was half a yard slower, and Spurs would have been 2-0 up and over the hill and far away. Instead the game went a completely different way.
Chelsea finally make their man advantage count
Embed from Getty ImagesChelsea were in dreamland despite the game being level at 1-1. Spurs were down to nine men after 55 minutes and Mauricio Pochettino’s men had the freedom of the Spurs half to capitalise and win the game, but took their time to do so with some wasteful attacks. Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario turned into a sweeper keeper and did well to anticipate many of Chelsea’s flurries forward.
In the end, the two man advantage was too much for Spurs, and Chelsea found their groove. The three points is a perfect response to their disappointing 2-0 defeat against Brentford. Pochettino will hope his side can push on from here.
Much needed goals for Jackson
Embed from Getty ImagesIt has been an uneasy start to life at Chelsea for Nicolas Jackson, but the Senegalese striker gobbled up his chances against Spurs to bag a first hat-trick for his new side. Albeit, he was given the luxury of time and space. Jackson spurned a few opportunities but finished his late chances with precision and coolness to pour misery of rivals Tottenham.
The Chelsea striker remained patient throughout the game and ended up bagging the match ball. Jackson now takes his goal tally up to six in all competitions. A big weight off the shoulders for Jackson, as he will look to continue to impress with new signing Christopher Nkunku edging closer to full fitness.
Ange still has the fans behind him
Embed from Getty ImagesIt may be Postecoglou’s first league loss as Tottenham boss, but the fans were still singing his name after the final whistle. There is a feeling that the Spurs faithful are with their manager through thick and thin. The honesty and refreshing attitude Postecoglou has brought to the Premier League has got Tottenham supporters and neutrals onside.
Despite a couple of suspensions incoming for Udogie and Romero and a potentially serious injury for Micky Van de Ven, it is not all doom and gloom for Spurs. They are still just one point off Manchester City, with a trip to struggling Wolves coming up next weekend. Spurs’ application and desire to get something from the game, despite being down to nine men, was admirable. The fans will still be excited for the potential of the remainder of the season.
