It was a grueling, heated battle at Stamford Bridge that saw the points shared in a 2-2 draw between Chelsea and Tottenham on Sunday. Goals for Chelsea from Kalidou Koulibaly and Reece James were canceled out by Pierre-Emile Hojbejerg and Harry Kane, with the English striker delivering a header goal in the final minute. There was a clear intensity in the match that saw three yellow cards handed out to players as well as Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte receiving yellow cards during a coming together after Spurs' goal in the 68th minute. Tuchel wanted the goal called back due to a foul on Kai Havertz but due to it being a different phase of play, the goal stood. As did the intensity with both coaches seeing red after the match.
Chelsea saw Marc Cucurella mark his full debut with an assist to Koulibaly on the opening goal in the first half and then they managed the game for 60 minutes, not allowing Spurs to get as much as a corner kick during the time period. The introduction of Richarlison for his debut changed the tenor of the match but a breakdown trying to clear the ball gave Raheem Sterling an open run to pass to James for the easy finish 15 minutes from time for a 2-1 lead to Chelsea. But late on, Spurs embodied their manager to get a late equalizer following a succession of three corner kicks from none other than Kane, who headed from the front post to the back post for the crucial goal.
Then the managers came together again after the whistle seeing both receive red cards in what was a thrilling affair. After the match, when asked about the red cards Tuchel said, "I thought when you shake hands you look into each other's eyes but he [Conte] had a different opinion."
"When you shake hands, you look into each others eyes. Antonio had a different opinion."
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 14, 2022
Thomas Tuchel speaks after his confrontation with Conte, and discusses why he was not happy with either of Tottenham's goals. #MyPLMorning | #CHETOT pic.twitter.com/mE1aR77kEO
With Spurs being back in Champions League, this is a clash between London rivals that has been kicked up in intensity. Conte couldn't see his team get their first victory at Stamford Bridge but he'll be happy with the fight that they showed to get a result in stoppage time. Tuchel thought that Chelsea played a brilliant game and he was unhappy with the goals Spurs scored not being called back, but these are things that add fuel to the rivalry.
In years past, Chelsea would've beat Spurs by margins that made close decisions not matter, but in a year where the Champions League places could come down to the final moments of the season, every point matters. The two won't meet again in the Premier League until February, but it should be a highly anticipated tie.
Despite Chelsea's domination in the first half, on paper things were level between the two sides. Chelsea held an advantage in possession having the ball for almost 65 percent of the match but Spurs were impressive in defense. Chelsea took five of their 16 shots from outside the box as the Spurs defense gave them fits. Chelsea only put three shots on target, but they were able to score with two of them. Spurs put five of their 10 shots on target, and after not getting a corner through the first 60 minutes of the match, they were able to produce five before getting the eventual equalizer via Kane.
DRAMA AT THE BRIDGE! #COYS
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 14, 2022
Harry Kane with the stoppage time header to level the match!
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It's a match that does show that Spurs can hang with a team of Chelsea's level and even cause them trouble when things are opened up. The introduction of Richarlison for Ryan Sessegnon in the 57th minute was a master stroke from Conte as from there forward, Spurs not only outshot Chelsea but also had equal possession while scoring two goals to Chelsea's one. The influx of depth during the summer has allowed Conte to tinker to change a match, and on Sunday it was the difference between one point and no points.
Tuchel's decision to start Reece James at center back and Ruben Loftus-Cheek at wing back paid off in a big way for the most part. In 79 minutes of play, Heung-Min Son only touched the ball seven times before being taken off for Ivan Perisic. After the half, there was a moment of panic where James had to take a yellow card for pulling Son down before he got on the break, but outside of that, the advantage went to the Chelsea back line.
They even picked up where they left off last season with defenders scoring goals as James had a simple finish while Koulibaly scored a rocket.
WELCOME TO THE BRIDGE KOULIBALY!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 14, 2022
He catches the corner kick perfectly on the volley and fired Chelsea into the lead. #CFC
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Quite a way for him to open his Chelsea scoring account but he also made four tackles and had seven recoveries. There will be a slight worry as N'Golo Kante suffered a hamstring injury but with Conor Gallagher coming on, there was still plenty of energy for the Blues. Everyone knew their role and had to perform it with perfection to stop Spurs, which is why Conte had to introduce a fourth attacker in Richarlison to create chaos. The defense could have been sharper on the goals, but overall they did perform pretty well on both ends.
Chelsea had enough chances to win the match but Koulibaly leading the team in shot attempts is concerning. Spurs tracked Raheem Sterling well in the middle as he was shadowed by Emerson Royal until his assist, but none of the Chelsea front three did enough to win the match. Kai Havertz had a massive miss that luckily James made up for a few minutes later, but a team of Chelsea's level needs to put good chances away.
Havertz misses the chance to put Chelsea back into the lead.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 14, 2022
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They're linked to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who worked with Tuchel at Dortmund, and if they don't feel that Armando Broja can lead the line, it may be worth it to make the move before Champions League play is underway. It's clear that Chelsea's defense is good enough to get the job done but the attack continues to leave more questions than answers.
What a match as both managers ended up getting red cards as a header deep into stoppage time was enough for Spurs to draw level. There will be questions for Anthony Taylor about both Spurs goals but Chelsea also had quite a few chances where they couldn't find the finishing touch.
DRAMA AT THE BRIDGE! #COYS
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 14, 2022
Harry Kane with the stoppage time header to level the match!
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Chaos in the box saw Harry Kane hit the back of the net following an Ivan Perisic assist.
Six minutes of stoppage time remaining as both teams are throwing everything forward that they can.
It looks like he has a hamstring issue as Conor Gallagher will get ready to come into midfield but a big blow to Chelsea as Kante has had an amazing game so far. Pulisic will also enter for Sterling to close things out.
Reece James with the first time finish and Chelsea are back in the lead! #CFC
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 14, 2022
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Bold calls from Conte as SOn and Bentencur have been withdrawn from the game. Bissouma and Perisic have entered as Spurs return to a more familiar back three to chase an equalizer.
Sterling lays the ball off to Reece James for a tidy finish and Chelsea are back ahead. Emotions are high but Spurs were trying to clear the ball leading to the finish.
Tuchel will want to review the challenge on Kai Havetz that led to this but Pierre Emile Hojbjerg gets an opening and scores to bring things level.
Hojbjerg hits a shot from outside the box and levels the match! #COYS
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 14, 2022
Conte and Tuchel are HEATED! 🔥
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It ends in another corner after a flick from Eric Dier but Chelsea are able to go on the break as it amounts to nothing. Luckily for Spurs, Emerson Royal was there to clean things up.
After Harry Kane pulls his shot wide and Sterling missed a chance on the other end, the Chelsea keeper took an important yellow card as he opted to slow things down in a game that is becoming stretched.
Antonio Conte wants to go for it by getting more attackers on the pitch. Raheem Sterling is already targeting that side now which could give Spurs more space to attack into.
After serving a suspension in the first match of the season, RIcharlison will get ready to enter for Sessegnon.
While Spurs have had a few chances, the Blues feel more likely to get a second at this stage of the match. Mount and Cucurella are having all the joy in possession with the shield of Kante behind them.
While Thiago Silva was able to clean things up easily, Spurs are already finding more space on the break. Kane dropping deep is making a difference in the second half.
The suggestion that this might be a down year for Chelsea -- one made by a fair few writers in these parts as well as across the football landscape -- was at least part based on the presumed decline of the ever slower Jorginho and the ever more injury-addled N'Golo Kante. That decline is certainly not present on the pitch so far as both players have been vital in keeping Spurs hemmed in their own half with steadying possession and a swift eye for an interception or loose ball. Kante was the subject of some Tuchel fury when he misplaced an early pass, since then he and his fellow midfielder have scarcely put a foot wrong.
Cheslea imposed their will on the match but they'll feel like they should have more than a one goal advantage heading into the half. Despite dominating possession, the Blues were unable to get past Spurs' defense in open play needing a Koulibaly rocket from a corner kick to score. Spurs haven't been able to get the ball to their front three but if that changes with halftime tweaks, the game is still there for the taking for both teams.
Son was finally about to send Spurs on the break and James has to pull him down for a tactical foul. That could loom large as the game goes on but it's positive that Spurs were finally able to break.
After stepping into midfield to pick off Harry Kane, it's a good time to look at why Spurs haven't been able to build from the back. Tuchel's right side of James and Loftus-Cheek has done wonders containing Kane and Son as the Chelsea defenders have such a good understanding between them. Spurs have tried to create over the top via Sessegnon but it hasn't been consistent enough to be dangerous. Matt Doherty may need to enter at half to bring more of a challenge down the right for Spurs.
The Spurs defense is still doing well against chances in open play but the pressure is mounting. The team can't get into rhythm and Chelsea are taking advantage of it. Mount and Cucurella are in acres of space while Kulusevski gets a warning after fouling Mount. The yellows will begin coming soon.
Chelsea can see the openings as Spurs can't get out of their own defensive third. Spurs will need to tweak their setup or risk being overrun in the match as only two shots in 25 mintues isn't good enough. Chelsea are swarming and want to get a second as soon as possible.
WELCOME TO THE BRIDGE KOULIBALY!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 14, 2022
He catches the corner kick perfectly on the volley and fired Chelsea into the lead. #CFC
📺: @USA_Network & @Telemundo #MyPLMorning | #CHETOT pic.twitter.com/uaggSkz1Iw
Unmarked in the box, Cucurella's corner found Koulibaly who lashed it in giving Chelsea the lead.
Spurs have done a good job neutralizing Chelsea's front three despite the possession advantage for the Blues. But Chelsea also haven't allowed Spurs to get space on the break. Kane, Son, and Kuluseveski have 16 touches between them which Antonio Conte will want to change sooner than later. It's a battle in the midfield as each team collapses in possession.
After going for a challenge on Cucurella there was a coming together between the two defenders. Romero is set to continue in the match but it'll definitely sting.
It's clear what this match means to Spurs and Chelsea by the intensity on the pitch. So far only two fouls have been called as they're allowed to be physical but this will be something to keep an eye on as yellow cards could begin flying in the later stages.
Great recovery from Thiago SIlva on Son but it's not something that Chelsea will want to see so early in the match. An early goal could make quite a difference.
A banner emerges from The Shed End telling Todd Boehly "Welcome to the House of Fun" (that's a Madness reference for those not au fait with English ska) whilst the visiting Spurs fans are rolling back the years at Stamford Bridge with their chant of "Antonio! Antonio!". It's loud. It's combative. And thanks to the flame cannons that have been spewing all over the pitch it's probably a fair clip over 100 degrees.
The teams have it all to play for at Stamford Bridge. Who will make an early season statement?
Sticking with the "wing backs", Sessegnon could give Antonio Conte quite a decision to make with another good showing at left back this week. Ivan Perisic is waiting in the wings but after scoring a goal against Southampton, Sessegnon will want to build on that linking up with Son in the final third.
