Tottenham – Chelsea 2-0
In extra time in the first half, things boiled over in London. Firstly, Richarlison stirred himself up after being tackled by Hakim Ziyech. Several players lunged, and after some commotion, Emerson pushed Royal Ziyech in the back. The Moroccan was furious and whipped Royale with what can only be described as a combination of shoving and punching.
The referee initially gave Chelsea’s Atwell a red, but after a VAR check, the card was converted to a yellow.
– Well done by the referee. I think it was the right decision because I think he wanted to shove him in the shoulder and also slapped his hand across his face. But Ziyech is very lucky, says former Chelsea player Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the Sky Sports studio.
Hakim Ziyech was shown red at first, but the referee overturned the decision after looking at the VAR screen. Photo: Paul Childs
Royal and Kai Havertz also received yellow cards in the chaotic minutes.
In the BBC studio, former Tottenham player Paul Robinson was completely different.
– It’s a very strange decision. Ziyech weakens against Royal. He missed and hit his shoulder, but he made the attempt so I think it’s red.
Christian Stellini, who managed Tottenham in Antonio Conte’s absence due to illness, had nothing to complain about with the referee.
The referee was good and explained the situation to us. The substitute tells the BBC that the VAR needed time to find out which player it was, and to check whether it was violent behaviour.
Tottenham settled in the second half
At the start of the first half, Thiago Silva had to change due to injury. The veteran appeared to have a problem with his knee.
Just 20 seconds into the second half, Tottenham took the lead anyway. First, Kepa gave a simple comeback and Enzo Fernandez followed it up with a weak shot at the feet of Oliver Skip. The Tottenham player snatched the ball into the goal across the crossbar to make it 1-0. It was his first goal for the club.
Oliver Skip celebrates with Dejan Kulusevski after his beautiful 1-0 goal. Photo: Dylan Martinez
After 81 minutes, the hosts doubled their lead. The corner kick ended in Harry Kane, who was allowed to stand alone at the back post and score 2-0. Eric Dier, who sent the ball to Kane, climbed onto Mason Mount’s back, but referee Atwell did not consider it a free kick.
Thus, Tottenham won 2-0. The Whites are now fourth, four points behind Newcastle United, who have played two games less.
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Out-of-fit Chelsea remain in 10th place after a terrible 2023 so far. Graham Potter’s men have scored just six goals in their last 12 Premier League matches.
– It’s a form of landing, says Hasselbaink in the Sky Sports studio.
Potter does not hide that the pressure is great.
– I know responsibility. That’s not good enough for this club. I take full responsibility for the results. He’s not good enough for Chelsea. I know the character and quality of the team. It’s a difficult period. Self-confidence is not at its peak, Potter tells Sky Sports.
Chelsea owner Todd Boyle was in attendance during Sunday’s London derby. Chelsea boss Graham Potter is under intense pressure after poor results in 2023. Photo: Mike Egerton
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