Nine-man Spurs implode against Chelsea in wildest game of the year | OneFootball

There was a blockbuster clash in the Premier League on Monday as Chelsea beat London rivals Tottenham 4-1.

Scorers: Kulusevski 6′; Palmer 34′, Jackon 75′, 90+3′, 90+7′. Red cards: Romero 33′, Udogie 55′

A derby always delivers, but nobody could have expected Tottenham’s unbeaten run in the Premier League to end at home in this fashion.

The hosts grabbed the lead when James Maddison’s slick through ball found Dejan Kulusevski. The Sweden international’s shot deflected off Levi Colwill, wrong-footing Robert Sánchez.

Then it all popped off with not one but five huge VAR calls in the first half alone.

Spurs thought they went up by two, but Son Heung-min was deemed marginally offside. Another big call saw Destiny Udogie avoid a red card for a two-footed challenge on Raheem Sterling.

Chelsea later had the ball in the net twice, but goals from the England international and Moises Caicedo were ruled out (handball and the other offside).

However, VAR insisted a review of Cristian Romero’s dangerous challenge on Enzo Fernandez in the build-up to Caicedo’s goal was needed, and he was shown a straight red.

Cole Palmer scored the equaliser from the penalty spot before injuries piled more misery on Ange Postecoglou’s side. Both Maddison (ankle) and Micky van de Ven (hamstring) were forced off.

Reece James then became the centre of attention after he avoided a red card of his own for an elbow on Udogie during 12 minutes of added time.

The drama then continued after the break with another Spurs ace sent walking, and the hosts were down to nine men. Udogie made a second rash challenge on Sterling and immediately knew it was the wrong decision.

With a two-man advantage, Chelsea dominated control of the game but somehow struggled to find a second goal. Guglielmo Vicario made a handful of diving saves to deny various visiting stars.

That was until a late run from Sterling teed up Nicolas Jackson and the outstretched Vicario could do nothing but watch the ball trickle in at the back post.

VAR was called into action once again when Eric Dier thought he equalised with a smashing volley, but it was yet another goal ruled offside. The match finished with nine VAR calls total.

Rodrigo Bentancur later missed an open net before Son saw an effort of his own also saved. But two late goals on the break secured Jackson a hat-trick and ensured Chelsea held on to all three points.

The Blues now sit 10th in the table while Tottenham missed a chance to leapfrog leaders Manchester City with their first loss of the season.