Tottenham 1-4 Chelsea (Kulusevski 6′, Romero sent off 33′, Udogie sent off 55′ | Palmer pen 35′, Jackson 75′, 90’+4, 90’+7)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM — The VARs are going to need VARs at this rate.
In a wild, often confusing, endlessly chaotic match, Chelsea, aided by a late Nicolas Jackson hat-trick, beat nine-man Tottenham, but the result paled in comparison to the confusion and chaos that came before.
It felt like more of the match’s duration was consumed by officials monitoring replays in Stockley Park than by the football. So much slow-motion, so many stills.
Where to start? Perhaps with the visiting Chelsea fans who started up a chant of “F**k VAR!” after half-an-hour spent mainly staring at the stadium’s giant monitors waiting for the ruling to be decreed by the large letters. If there is to be a Black Mirror episode written about football, it will be based on this game.
There was, at least, no question about Tottenham’s sixth-minute opening goal which included a delicious pass by James Maddison from his own half that bypassed Chelsea’s entire midfield.
If there was extraordinary fortune to the strike – Dejan Kulusevski’s shot took a heavy defelction off Levi Colwill – it only served to reward the supreme beauty of the pass that created it.
SPURS AHEAD INSIDE SIX MINUTES!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 6, 2023pic.twitter.com/QTNItzXdC7
Then the madness. Destiny Udogie flew into a tackle on Raheem Sterling – two-footed, both feet off the ground. Had Sterling not seen it coming and got well out the way, bones could have been broken. As it was, Udogie saw only a yellow card. The VAR decided to check it, and didn’t even recommend that referee Michael Oliver check his monitor.
"Udogie should be OFF!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 6, 2023
"Romero is a LUCKY BOY!"@GNev2 watches two HUGE decisions in London!
pic.twitter.com/dHbCeO02wn
From Chelsea’s bench Malo Gusto may have pondered why he had just served a three-game ban for an arguably softer foul against Aston Villa that was re-refereed. Liverpool fans may also feel a touch aggrieved.
The bar set pretty high for hefty tackles, Cristian Romero decided to test the bounds to breaking point. First an off-the-ball kick at the back of Colwill’s calf.
It was uncertain if the VAR checked it out because Chelsea raced up the other end and Sterling scored, and they were busy checking the validity of the goal and suspicion of handball in the build-up.
This was the point Stockley Park could have done with a team of video assistant referees elsewhere (Bletchley Park, maybe?) to help check on all the fires breaking out around the pitch that until recent years a traditional team of officials actually in a football stadium have been, by and large, able to douse.
Sterling’s goal ruled out (it was a clear handball), there was barely a chance to catch breath when the VARs were at it again, animatedly reloading and poring over footage of Tottenham’s penalty area. Moises Caicedo had scored with a low shot from outside the area that seemed without fault, but of course it needed to be looked at. And good job too, because they spotted Jackson was in the goalkeeper’s line of sight and millimetres offside.
That, fairly lengthy, check over, some iffy challenges in the build-up also had to be checked, extending the delay even further, including another meaty one from Romero who crunched Enzo Fernandez’s ankle inside the box, with what looked a clear red card and, by extension, a penalty.
Fans stared at the giant monitors. This time Oliver was recommended to check the monitor. Fans stared at Oliver checking the monitor. This time he realised his error, showed Romero a red card and Cole Palmer swept in the resultant penalty.
"AMID FRENZY AND FURY!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 6, 2023
Cole Palmer levels for Chelsea as Cristian Romero sees red!pic.twitter.com/1oULwk1uOP
Tottenham suffered when Maddison injured his foot while trying to press Reece James, before Micky van de Ven pulled up in a sprint with Jackson. Spurs were suddenly without three of their most crucial players.
The first half lasted for what felt like a lifetime – 56 minutes in which the ball was in play for only 41 per cent of it. What drama – or is it insanity?
Pochettino replaced Colwill during the interval, but Postecoglou kept on his cautioned full-back and it proved costly.
Udogie lunged in on Sterling and Oliver produced a second yellow card, which meant Spurs faced at least 35 minutes with nine men.
Substitute Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg somehow diverted Jackson’s close-range header over, before Vicario bravely dived at Marc Cucurella’s feet to deny Chelsea again.
But the Italian had no answers with 15 minutes left. James released Sterling down the right and he squared for Jackson to tap home for his fourth goal since his summer switch.
"FINALLY THEY CRACK THE CODE!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 6, 2023
Jackson gives Chelsea the lead!pic.twitter.com/ytmHjkxPdv
After VAR produced a relatively rare quick check, it was needed again three minutes later when Dier volleyed home from a flick on by sub Rodrigo Bentancur. Tottenham’s celebrations were ended this time by the offside flag.
There was still time for Bentancur to head wide from six yards and Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez to save from Son before Jackson scored twice more from Palmer and Conor Gallagher passes to settle the game.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/5CKXg76
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