Conte’s Catenaccio kept it close and stole the point at the end, courtesy of their Number 9 (as you point out). You couldn’t have drawn it up any better! And you’ll probably see that playbook a few more times against the top sides. But you have to wonder about VAR 🥴 Tuchel is probably correct in giving his opinion and taking the card in order to get more calls going forward.
great article and insight again. I was watching at a local Tottenham bar and was so nervous for the entire game. I think they outplayed us and we were lucky at the end. I thought there wasn’t any creativity in our squad. Conte and Tuchel were more than hilarious. Thanks.
Frankly, the buildup to Spurs first goal should never have happened due to an obvious yet missed foul - which is supposedly why VAR exists. (And frankly, where was the assistant on that sideline?)
And the second was immediately after a Chelsea defender got pulled to the ground by his hair (!), another clear and obvious foul. Again, where was VAR?
But then I heard the VAR ref was Mike Dean, and I understood completely.
Sure a lot of whining about officiating and yet nothing said about inability to finish opportunities. But there was a team on the pitch that refused to quit even as they were clearly outplayed much of the game. As regards to the Havertz "foul"; Taylor was no more than ten yards from play and clearly signaled to the players there was no foul. One angle from the countless replays left a possibility of a clean tackle. Play on. As for tussling in the box during corner kick; long hair affords no additional consideration given the physical play. Everyone grabs arms, hips, shoulders in EPL. The EPL is known and loved for physical play. Play on.
As for Conte Tuchel drama; get the assistants out of the technical area. I thought Tuchel acted like an ass jerking Conte around during what should have been a routine quick handshake.
The best PL match of the season. As a long time Chelsea FAN, I have to say while the scoreboard didn't do justice because of awful officiating, I agree Chelsea surprised me in the way they handled the press from Spurs. They pretty much neutralized their press and so effective in their attack and progression. Credit to Spurs defense. They did an amazing job slowing down a tough offensive squad. It was one of the most entertaining match i have seen this season as I watched seating on the tip of my couch. Just brilliant match overall by both teams. Still believe Chelsea should have won. It would have been fun to watch both these egotistic managers getting into the ring though LOL.
1. I started watching Chelsea because of Pulisic. I’m now feeling like the parent upset with the coach for benching my child. I really thought they could’ve used his fresh legs late.
2. Tuchel had PLENTY to be pissed off about. They probably should’ve won 2-0. No idea why Conte was so mad. Dude was looking the gift horse and shoulda been muy contento.
EPL has a huge officiating problem, especially if Taylor is considered to be one of its top referees. Spurs cannot afford to sleep walk through large periods of a match the way they did today. That they came away with a point resulted from three factors — their own grit, poor officiating and some luck.
You can already tell that Spurs look like a team that is going to keep coming at you all year. Chelsea so dominant for large stretches but they look indecisive once in the box, first half only having 1 goal felt unkind.
Both Spurms goals should have been called off: the first on the pitch for a yellow-card foul by Bentancur on Havertz (VAR couldn't intervene anymore); the second on the pitch or via VAR for a red card foul by Romero pulling the hair of Cucurella. Poor performance from Anthony Taylor. I think that the EPL should look into it post match and issue the appropriate ban.
I can only imagine Tuchel doing it to Conte, and finding himself holding a squirrel in his hand. As you and I know - no hair, no problems!
Regardless, as an Arsenal fan I'm very please with the two points lost by two of our rivals, and even more pleased with how poorly Spurms played. Chelsea looked better than I thought they would (unfortunately...). Kante was fantastic, James was superb, Jorginho was masterful, and Sterling was very involved.
I hope that Conte and Tuchel get a very long ban for that very enjoyable kerfuffle...
Conte’s Catenaccio kept it close and stole the point at the end, courtesy of their Number 9 (as you point out). You couldn’t have drawn it up any better! And you’ll probably see that playbook a few more times against the top sides. But you have to wonder about VAR 🥴 Tuchel is probably correct in giving his opinion and taking the card in order to get more calls going forward.
great article and insight again. I was watching at a local Tottenham bar and was so nervous for the entire game. I think they outplayed us and we were lucky at the end. I thought there wasn’t any creativity in our squad. Conte and Tuchel were more than hilarious. Thanks.
The center ref was Anthony Taylor
Frankly, the buildup to Spurs first goal should never have happened due to an obvious yet missed foul - which is supposedly why VAR exists. (And frankly, where was the assistant on that sideline?)
And the second was immediately after a Chelsea defender got pulled to the ground by his hair (!), another clear and obvious foul. Again, where was VAR?
But then I heard the VAR ref was Mike Dean, and I understood completely.
Sure a lot of whining about officiating and yet nothing said about inability to finish opportunities. But there was a team on the pitch that refused to quit even as they were clearly outplayed much of the game. As regards to the Havertz "foul"; Taylor was no more than ten yards from play and clearly signaled to the players there was no foul. One angle from the countless replays left a possibility of a clean tackle. Play on. As for tussling in the box during corner kick; long hair affords no additional consideration given the physical play. Everyone grabs arms, hips, shoulders in EPL. The EPL is known and loved for physical play. Play on.
As for Conte Tuchel drama; get the assistants out of the technical area. I thought Tuchel acted like an ass jerking Conte around during what should have been a routine quick handshake.
Arsenal seems way more likely than Tottenham my challenge top 2
Tuchel is insecure. So is Conte. Tuchel has better talent. Conte has better mojo. Edge: Spurs.
The best PL match of the season. As a long time Chelsea FAN, I have to say while the scoreboard didn't do justice because of awful officiating, I agree Chelsea surprised me in the way they handled the press from Spurs. They pretty much neutralized their press and so effective in their attack and progression. Credit to Spurs defense. They did an amazing job slowing down a tough offensive squad. It was one of the most entertaining match i have seen this season as I watched seating on the tip of my couch. Just brilliant match overall by both teams. Still believe Chelsea should have won. It would have been fun to watch both these egotistic managers getting into the ring though LOL.
Two things:
1. I started watching Chelsea because of Pulisic. I’m now feeling like the parent upset with the coach for benching my child. I really thought they could’ve used his fresh legs late.
2. Tuchel had PLENTY to be pissed off about. They probably should’ve won 2-0. No idea why Conte was so mad. Dude was looking the gift horse and shoulda been muy contento.
EPL has a huge officiating problem, especially if Taylor is considered to be one of its top referees. Spurs cannot afford to sleep walk through large periods of a match the way they did today. That they came away with a point resulted from three factors — their own grit, poor officiating and some luck.
You can already tell that Spurs look like a team that is going to keep coming at you all year. Chelsea so dominant for large stretches but they look indecisive once in the box, first half only having 1 goal felt unkind.
Both Spurms goals should have been called off: the first on the pitch for a yellow-card foul by Bentancur on Havertz (VAR couldn't intervene anymore); the second on the pitch or via VAR for a red card foul by Romero pulling the hair of Cucurella. Poor performance from Anthony Taylor. I think that the EPL should look into it post match and issue the appropriate ban.
I can only imagine Tuchel doing it to Conte, and finding himself holding a squirrel in his hand. As you and I know - no hair, no problems!
Regardless, as an Arsenal fan I'm very please with the two points lost by two of our rivals, and even more pleased with how poorly Spurms played. Chelsea looked better than I thought they would (unfortunately...). Kante was fantastic, James was superb, Jorginho was masterful, and Sterling was very involved.
I hope that Conte and Tuchel get a very long ban for that very enjoyable kerfuffle...
game had everything you could want as a neutral. Goals, drama, coaches getting fired up! Been impressed with Sterling's touch and passing up front.
Most American soccer fans want your opinion and advice to the bench warming Pulisic. He needs to play. What say you Grant.