Spurs had just salvaged an unfair draw with Harry Kane’s misplaced header and there was no way, given what had happened, that Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte would part ways with smiles and invitations for a post-match beer. But the sight of the pair clashing for a second time after the final whistle, eyes bulging and throats roaring, was stunning by any measure and will keep FA disciplinary officials fully occupied early this week. Both were red carded. Both will point fingers and there was plenty of it after Tuchel held Conte’s hand and sparked a furious response from his counterpart. Tuchel felt Conte had shown disrespect not to look him in the eye as they trembled: in fact both sides appeared to be bracing for a renewal of hostilities after tempers had initially flared over a controversial Pierre-Emile Højbjerg first-time equaliser. It followed up, six years later, to the infamous Battle of the Bridge and there was more to digest during the final half hour than most matches produce in their entirety. Chelsea deserved their lead, given by Kalidos Koulibaly’s superb volley in the 19th minute. they were faster, stronger, smarter and more creative than Spurs, and this was one of those days when several N’Golo Kanté clones seem to have invaded the pitch. But there was a chance in hell for Conte, on his old turf, to take it lying down and his team finally woke up to dire consequences. Tuchel was less than happy to credit Tottenham with that level of organization and had a point. He felt none of their goals should have stood and there was certainly plenty of upset when, half a minute before Højbjerg scored, Anthony Taylor opted not to punish Rodrigo Bentancur’s challenge on an imposing Kai Havertz. Harry Kane heads in Tottenham’s last-minute equaliser. Photo: Andy Rain/EPA It looked like a clear foul. Chelsea still had plenty of chances to clean up the resulting attack, which ended with a low 20-yard shot deflected off Koulibaly, but their manager was in no mood to see it that way, given there was also reason to complain that the Richarlison was ruled offside. obscured Édouard Mendy’s field of vision. Instead, he took exception to Conte’s trademark celebration, which appeared to be aimed in his direction, into the Italian and creating a short-lived shouting match on the train. Room staff and surrogates piled in, some more eager to keep the peace than others, and both men had to be ushered away before a drinks break temporarily cooled things down. Proceedings on the pitch unfolded excitingly from there. Havertz somehow failed to convert Rhys James’ cross, but that didn’t seem to matter, from Chelsea’s point of view, when he regained the lead with a goal that epitomized their display. Dejan Kulusevski was pressed to concede possession and, through Kanté and the impressive Raheem Sterling, the ball was fed to an open James. A confident finish raised the roof and, again, the temperature: Tuchel launched a sprint that ended near the corner flag, this time past Conte without a glance. Had Chelsea held on, it might have been the image that signaled the start of a new era for Tod Bohli. Boehly had been greeted before the game, more than a little strangely, by a giant banner bearing his likeness that was passed along the Matthew Harding stand. Opposite, the Shed End displayed a tapestry reading ‘Welcome to the house of fun, Todd and Co’. In the end this descriptor undersold what this venue had put up. Chelsea looked certain to celebrate victory when Mendy cleared Ben Davies’ header from a corner in the fourth minute of added time and thought they might even have finished a player to the good when the VAR flagged the set-piece, showing quite clearly that Cristian Romero had pulled Marc Cucurella by the hair as he was sent in. He was not to be punished and, when Ivan Perisic sent in from the right, Kane headed home with a little assist from a combination of James and Koulibaly. He was down one-on-one at 1-0 and was otherwise stifled, but it’s always dangerous to assume an off day from his side. Tuchel’s argument was that Perisic’s corner should never have been taken. it was hard not to sympathize. It was less easy to feel generous with a coach until it was over, but perhaps anyone who expected this opportunity to go quietly was just naive. Neither had let the weather faze them as they tirelessly roamed the technical areas from the start, with a flurry from Tuchel on Havertz confirming he was suitably locked down. When he reviews the football itself, Tuchel will feel his side didn’t get too angry: Koulibaly’s goal from a deep Cucurella corner came just after a Havertz near-miss and Chelsea kept their grip for the most part of the race. On another day, though possibly an oversight by different managers, he would even deserve a very effective outing at right wing-back from Ruben Loftus-Cheek. But this league demands more and more ticket sales from its managers and here, tasteful or not, they oblige. Even if the handshake made heads shake, this was as exciting as it gets.
