Tottenham came back from behind on two occasions to hold Chelsea to a 2-2 draw in a fiery London derby at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening.
Chelsea started the game as the more dominant team at home and had the first big chance when Kai Havertz forced a save from Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris. 19 minutes in, the Blues took the lead with two of their new signings combining as Marc Cucurella swung in a corner for Kalidou Koulibaly to volley home spectacularly to make it 1-0.
Tottenham could have equalised not long after but Edouard Mendy did well to stop Ryan Sessegnon from scoring. The Lilywhites started better after the half-time break, with Son Heung-min and Harry Kane combining for a chance. At the other end, Raheem Sterling had a great opportunity to double Chelsea’s lead but failed to take it. Kane then was played through on goal but the Tottenham ace missed his target.
However, Antonio Conte’s side did manage to level things up in the 68th minute when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg drove home an effort from outside the box. There was a hint of controversy about the move as Rodrigo Bentancur appeared to have fouled Kai Havertz in the buildup, but referee Anthony Taylor waved play on, with the decision leading to flared tempers on the pitch and the touchline.
Fired up by the incident, Chelsea hit back not long after as Reece James put the hosts back in front in the 77th minute. And it looked like the Englishman’s strike would be enough for the Blues to walk away with three points, but Kane had other ideas as he pulled off a last-gasp equaliser six minutes into stoppage time to salvage a point for Tottenham.
TUCHEL VS CONTE: ROUND TWO!!! ?? pic.twitter.com/XhWuOU4fwD
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 14, 2022
Once again, there was controversy leading up to the goal as Cristian Romero had grabbed at Cucurella’s hair in the buildup, but the goal was allowed to stand. It led to a huge altercation between Conte and Thomas Tuchel on the sidelines after the final whistle, with both managers being shown red cards. The win sees Tottenham move to fourth place while Chelsea find themselves in seventh place after two matches.
Chelsea Player Ratings
Edouard Mendy: 6/10
The Chelsea goalkeeper made an important stop to deny Sessegnon in the first half and another late in the game to thwart Ben Davies. Not a lot he could have done to stop Tottenham’s goals. Booked for time wasting.
Reece James: 8/10
Moved into the right-sided centre-back role, James excelled in the position as he managed to completely mark Son Heung-min out of the game. At the same time, he also charged forward down the right flank, choosing his moments smartly and scored the all-important second goal that almost won it for Chelsea.
Reece James has more Premier League goal involvements than any other defender since the start of last season ? pic.twitter.com/MVuQ7soa3v
— GOAL (@goal) August 14, 2022
Thiago Silva: 6/10
The Brazilian was composed and assured as always with the ball and helped keep things ticking along. Was not troubled a great deal defensively by Kane or Son on the evening.
Kalidou Koulibaly: 8/10
A home debut to remember for Kalidou Koulibaly as he got the ball rolling for Chelsea with a stunning strike in the first half. He was in a confident mood and attempted an overhead kick not long after. The Senegalese defender was resolute defensively and assured with the ball at his feet.
Cucurella assist ✅
Koulibaly goal ✅??????? Stamford Bridge debuts. ? pic.twitter.com/mmG1yKYwWI
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) August 14, 2022
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: 7/10
A surprise starter at right wing-back, the move worked out well for Tuchel and Chelsea. Loftus-Cheek chose his moments well to stay out wide or drift in centrally to allow James space to push forward. Made a darting run and set Sterling up for a chance in the second half.
N’Golo Kante: 8/10
A top performance from Chelsea’s big-game player as he helped the Blues stay in control for most of the contest. Kante was his energetic self in midfield, making vital interceptions, and cutting out passing lanes. At the same time, he was not shy about driving forward with the ball and even helped create a few chances. Unfortunately, had to go off with an injury.
Jorginho: 6/10
A strong first-half display from the Italian international helped Chelsea stay on top of their opposition. He continued his good work even after the break until the mistake that led to the first equaliser as he gave away the ball cheaply in his own box.
Marc Cucurella: 7/10
Cucurella in the 9th minute on Romero's knee pic.twitter.com/g3HLy49P3c
— The Spurs Web (@thespursweb) August 14, 2022
Making his full debut for Chelsea, Cucurella enjoyed a solid game. He kept Dejan Kulusevski quiet and was also a presence going forward. The Spaniard also got the assist for the opening goal with a well-taken corner. Ben Chilwell has his task cut out.
Mason Mount: 6.5/10
Energetic and hard-working, Mount led the Chelsea press from the front and made good movements that helped create space for others. However, he was not much of a goal threat, nor did he help create any dangerous chances. Should have done better with a chance in the first half.
Kai Havertz: 6/10
The German international had some nice moments of link-up play with his fellow forwards and even drew a save from Lloris in the first half. However, Havertz missed a sitter minutes before James’ goal. Needs to be more clinical.
Raheem Sterling: 7/10
Fans were unreal today ? pic.twitter.com/MnkdjdJsH4
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) August 14, 2022
Chelsea’s new signing is starting to show signs of improved understanding with his fellow attackers. He set Havertz up for the chance in the first period and got the assist for James’ goal in the second. However, Sterling should have done better with his chance around the hour mark.
SUBSTITUTES
Cesar Azpilicueta: 6/10
On for Jorginho in the 73rd minute. Allowed James to move to the wing-back slot.
Conor Gallagher: N/A
Replaced the injured Kante in the 85th minute.
Christian Pulisic: N/A
On for Sterling with five minutes of normal time left.
Armando Broja: N/A
A late substitute for Havertz.
Tottenham Player Ratings
Hugo Lloris: 5/10
The Tottenham captain made a good save to stop Havertz in the first half but had no chance against Koulibaly’s strike. However, he should have done better against James’ effort as he dove under the ball instead of staying big.
Cristian Romero: 6/10
Romero PULLED Cucurella’s hair until he was on the floor & VAR said no foul? Disgrace. Referees in this country are corrupt. pic.twitter.com/W2NlFlgOSE
— Adeyemi (@adelove2100) August 14, 2022
Strong and aggressive as usual, Romero made some important challenges, although there were occasions when he was caught out of position. Grabbed and pulled Cucurella’s hair right before Kane scored the equaliser and fortunately for him and Spurs, he went unpunished.
Eric Dier: 6/10
Solid at the back as the England ace helped keep Chelsea at bay even though there were a few iffy moments on the ball here and there.
Ben Davies: 5.5/10
The Welshman did not look all too comfortable defensively on occasions as Chelsea targeted the left flank frequently and he was left exposed for the Blues’ second goal. However, he did get the assist for Hojbjerg’s equaliser and won the corner from which Kane scored the late leveller.
Emerson Royal: 4/10
The former Barcelona ace should have done a better job of marking Koulibaly for the opening goal but left the Chelsea defender free to score. He hardly offered anything going forward on the evening either. With Matt Doherty and Djed Spence waiting in the wings, he could be axed soon.
Rodrigo Bentancur: 5/10
I can’t believe chelsea fans are still crying. How can they say this is a foul? How can they say Bentancur has not touched the ball? He clearly does ??
They’re so but hurt it’s mad. And Richarlison was offside yes but not interfering with play or blocking Mendy’s view. pic.twitter.com/S1udtcb1Jk
— Alex (@mralexthfc) August 14, 2022
The Tottenham midfielder looked off pace and struggled to cope with the intensity of his Chelsea counterparts in the first half. Showed some improvement after the break before being involved in a contentious moment in the buildup to Hojbjerg’s goal.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 6/10
Like Bentancur, Hojbjerg too struggled to get a foothold into the game in the first half, with Chelsea in control. Got better as the game wore on and created a fine chance for Kane before scoring the equaliser.
Ryan Sessegnon: 4/10
A difficult outing for the youngster as he was overran on his flank for most of the game. Chelsea created a lot of threat from his side while Sessegnon also missed Tottenham’s best chance to score in the first half, failing to beat Mendy.
Dejan Kulusevski: 5/10
Should have done better to set Son up for a chance but did win the ball in the buildup to Spurs’ first equaliser of the evening. However, Kulusevski failed to muster up any major attacking threat.
Harry Kane: 6/10
Harry Kane is now LEVEL with Sergio Aguero in the list of Premier League all-time leading goalscorers. ⚽? pic.twitter.com/aVcw2ZPAia
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 14, 2022
A quiet first half for the England captain as he failed to get involved meaningfully in the proceedings. Things started to look up for Kane after the break but he missed a great chance after being played in by Hojbjerg. However, he redeemed himself by scoring the equaliser deep in stoppage time to rescue a point for Spurs.
Son Heung-min: 4/10
Apart from a scuffed effort at goal in the second half, Son Heung-min hardly produced anything of note on Sunday as Reece James got the better of him. His control was off in the early stages and the South Korean never really got going.
SUBSTITUTES
Richarlison: 6/10
Replaced Sessegnon just before the hour mark to make his debut, with Spurs changing their formation. Added more intensity and purpose to the attacking unit.
Yves Bissouma: N/A
On for Bentancur in the 79th minute, perhaps Conte should have made the swap much earlier
Ivan Perisic: N/A
On for Son in the 79th minute. Set up a chance for Davies with a corner before assisting Kane for the late leveller.
Lucas Moura: N/A
Replaced Emerson in the 82nd minute.
