MAURICIO POCHETTINO’S return to Tottenham has been nothing short of chaotic – but his Blues side have come out on top.Dejan Kulusevski’s heavily deflected strike rolled past Blues keeper Robert Sanchez to put the hosts ahead.
However, two Spurs red cards and FIVE disallowed goals later, Nicolas Jackson’s hat-trick fired the Blues to an emphatic win after Cole Palmer’s equaliser.
RESULT: Chelsea 4-1 Tottenham
Live stream: NOW TV
TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
Tottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Johnson; Son
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Caicedo, Enzo; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson
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That’s all from North London
How do you sum up a game like that? The truth is you can’t, but it doesn’t matter as it’s sure to be a match that is replayed, replayed and replayed for years to come.
And the good news about a neatly-edited highlights package is that it won’t involve a breathless blogger desperately trying to keep pace with every box-office incident taking place on the pitch.
In fact, the only person stretched to their limits more than us minute-by-minuters this evening was surely VAR official John Brooks, who had to make nine calls on this crazy night in the capital.
The history books will show a Chelsea 4-1 win, but it will need a novel the size of War and Peace to fully do justice to everything that occurred at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
We did our best though, and we appreciate you joining us for the ride.
Goodnight.
Quick hits on crazy night
Before we sign off for the night, here are a few more statistics following this evening’s classic encounter, courtesy of the nerds at Opta.
Chelsea secured their 15th Premier League away win over Tottenham, with no side enjoying more wins on the road at Spurs than the Blues (15 level with Man Utd).
Cole Palmer is the first Chelsea player to score his first three goals in the Premier League all from the penalty spot and just the eighth player from any side to do so.
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson netted three goals in this game, one more than he managed in his previous nine appearances in the Premier League. It was also his first-ever hat-trick in the big five European leagues (45th game).
Tottenham saw two of their players sent off in a home Premier League game for the first time ever and for just the fourth time in the competition at any venue (August 2001 v Everton, October 2008 v Stoke and May 2019 v Bournemouth).
Tottenham winger Dejan Kulusevski (10) is just the seventh Swedish player to hit double figures for goals in the Premier League (Ljungberg 48, Larsson 26, Elmander 19, Ibrahimovic 17, Isak 16, Alexandersson 12).
Postecoglou: we will always have a go
Ange Postecoglou has praised his players for their efforts in defeat, and defended his decision to maintain a high line and press despite being down to nine men.
In the aftermath of Tottenham’s 4-1 defeat to Chelsea, the Spurs boss has come underfire for his approach, labelled naive by some online killjoys. Not that the Australian cares one jot.
I am very proud of the players. Right to the end they were trying to create something for us. They couldn’t give any more than they did. A huge part of this game is will, effort and determination, and they showed that. It is who we are and who we will be for as long as I am here. Even if we go down to five men, we will still have a go…Ange PostecoglouSky Sports
Poch enjoys return to Spurs
It may have taken a while, and a whole heap of drama, but Mauricio Pochettino managed to mark his return to Tottenham with a win.
In doing so, the Argentine has become the fourth manager to beat Spurs in the Premier League, having previously taken charge of them.
He joins an illustrious list that includes Chris Hughton, Martin Jol and…erm… Tim Sherwood.
Only Southampton, Chelsea (both 7) and Newcastle (6) have had more former managers beat them in the Premier League.
Romero sees red (once again)
There’s no doubting that Cristian Romero is an excellent defender, but his lack of discipline evident time and time again proves he is also one of the daftest.
Since his debut season of 2021-22, the Argentine has received more red cards (4) in all competitions than any other player in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, only Craig Dawson, Lewis Dunk and Wilfred Ndidi have conceded more penalties (all 5) than the Tottenham centre-back in that period.
Ange’s unbeaten run comes to an end
The upshot of a crazy evening is that Tottenham have become the last side to lose in the Premier League this season.
It is their first defeat in 12 league games since losing another London derby – 3-1 at Brentford in May – and the first since Ange Postecoglou took charge.
And for Postecoglou, it marked a first home defeat in British football at the 43rd attempt, following an unbeaten spell in front of his own fans while at Celtic.
Match stats from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
When you devalue a thrilling night of football with some numbers.
Full time – Tottenham 1-4 Chelsea
Beaten 4-1, Tottenham’s players – those that made it to the end – depart to a standing ovation from the home fans.
It’s been that kind of night and a game that will inevitably go down as a Premier League classic.
Five goals, five disallowed, a hat-trick, a penalty, two red cards, nine yellow cards and a shedload of VAR talking points.
And even then, it doesn’t even tell half the story.
Tottenham 1-4 Chelsea
90+7. It may be one of the more bizarre hat-tricks in Premier League history, but the much-maligned Nicolas Jackson will be walking off with the matchball this evening.
It will surely act as a huge confidence boost for the striker, who even looks short on belief as he races through for his third goal.
Pondering whether to square to Mykhailo Mudryk, Jackson stumbles and then recovers to beat Guglielmo Vicario and roll into the empty net.
Will this bizarre, barmy, surreal night be the making of the Senegalese forward in the Premier League?
Hat-trick!
Tottenham 1-3 Chelsea
90+5. In a weird way, I think we may have learnt more about Tottenham this evening than Chelsea.
Either way, Mauricio Pochettino, his players and supporters will take heart from a London derby success, regardless of the events that led to it.
Tottenham 1-3 Chelsea
90+4. Two goals for Nicolas Jackson and three points for Chelsea!
It’s almost a carbon copy of their second too, this time with Conor Gallagher exposing Tottenham’s high line by bursting down the left.
The England midfielder has all the time in the world to pick out Nicolas Jackson in the middle, who buries first time beyond Guglielmo Vicario.
The nine men of Tottenham have given this a real go, but have finally been undone by some sensible Chelsea play.
Game over!
Tottenham 1-2 Chelsea
90+2. Moments after nearly wriggling free in the box, Son almost brings the house down with a wonderful solo run and shot.
Sanchez gets down low to push the ball away, and another chance – perhaps Spurs’ last one – passes.
Tottenham 1-2 Chelsea
90. There will be nine minutes of stoppage time to be played, and – this will sound insane – Chelsea are hanging on somewhat.
Tottenham 1-2 Chelsea – Mudryk yellow card
88. Now another Chelsea substitute goes into the book.
This time it’s Muydrk, who leaves a foot in on Vicario as the keeper sweeps up for the umpteenth time this evening.
Tottenham 1-2 Chelsea
86. So close! So, so close!!
Another wicked free-kick from the left has Chelsea all of a panic, and Bentancur almost punishes them at the far post.
The Uruguayan almost appeared in two minds as to whether to go with his head or his foot, and that split second delay may have cost him.
Stooping low, the midfielder bundles wide of the post with the goal gaping.
Tottenham 1-2 Chelsea – Gusto yellow card
85. Like a vulnerable person being scammed by a fraudster, Malo Gusto has just been tricked into committing the dopiest of fouls on the far touchline when there was absolutely no need.
It’s a booking for the substitute, on ten minutes ago for Reece James, and Spurs have another set-piece in a dangerous position.
Tottenham 1-2 Chelsea
83. Tottenham are committing more men forward.
Perhaps more men that they actually have left on the field.
Tottenham 1-2 Chelsea
81. It’s another long, long VAR check.
“It’s either going to be the fourth goal of the night, or the fifth to be disallowed,” ponders commentator Peter Drury, as befuddled as the rest of us.
Finally, the signal comes in that it’s the latter, and Chelsea breathe another huge sigh of relief.
Tottenham 1-2 Chelsea
79. Wow!!
Eric Dier volleys in a rocket and the nine men are level!!
But hold that thought because the offside flag is up once again.
The Tottenham centre-back drifted in around the back as a set-piece was launched towards the penalty area from the left, and then connected with a brilliant first-time effort across Robert Sanchez and into the net.
Onside in the first instance, Dier may have just been off as the delivery was flicked on, but – once again – it is very right.
Over to you, John Brooks.
Tottenham 1-2 Chelsea
77. Now, what can the nine men of Tottenham do?
Nothing, surely, but then this is Ange’s Tottenham.
Tottenham 1-2 Chelsea
75. At last!
Chelsea finally have their noses in front, and their fears of further embarrassment are over.
In the end, it’s such a simple, well-worked goal with exactly the kind of move that they should have been deploying since Tottenham had their first player sent off.
Raheem Sterling is sent down the right after holding his run on halfway, and then follows up by holding his nerve to square for Nicolas Jackson to find the empty net.
Finally!
Tottenham 1-1 Chelsea
72. Mauricio Pochettino is cutting a very frustrated figure on the touchline. More
