Chelsea 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
A late leveller headed home by Harry Kane gave Spurs a priceless point and denied Chelsea their habitual win over Tottenham.
A full crowd at Stamford Bridge made for an electric atmosphere in the first ‘Big Six’ clash of the 2022/23 Premier League season and a stunning volley from Kalidou Koulibaly sent the home fans into raptures, and the Blues in to half time with a 1-0 lead. But a second half leveller from Pierre Emile Hojbjerg caused a row on the touchline which only calmed down when James popped up with Chelsea’s second.
The hosts were favourites at SBOTOP odds of 2.21 and they deserved the three points after dominating for much of the match, but football is a cruel game sometimes and this weekend’s other Premier League 2022 results, with Manchester City and Arsenal both picking up second wins, mean Chelsea and Spurs are both two points off the pace.
Highlights of the game
Chelsea were ruthless in their opening day win over Everton last week and they started this match in the same mood, dominating play in the first 15 minutes as Mason Mount ran the midfield, allowing Spurs little time to settle. And it was one of the debutants who played so well at Goodison Park who lifted the roof off Stamford Bridge with a superb volley. It was Marc Cucurella the provider and he found Kalidou Koulibaly, 15 yards out with a beautifully delivered corner which the France defender smashed first time into the net.
Antonio Rudiger didn’t score goals like that!
The goal sparked a response from Tottenham and when Harry Kane took a quick free kick he found Ryan Sessegnon who hit his shot from a tight angle which Edouard Mendy saved brilliantly. And then, as the game swung back to the other end Koulibaly sent an acrobatic effort into the stands. Chelsea remained on top though and, after good work from Raheem Sterling, Mount curled an effort inches wide with Hugo Lloris beaten.
Kane and Heung-Min Son have been a lethal partnership over the years and the two combined in the first action of the second half as Kane lobbed a ball over for the South Korean and Mendy reacted well to block. And then Chelsea had a great chance to double their lead on the hour after a quick passing move, but Sterling’s effort flew over the bar.
As Chelsea pushed for a second Spurs were dangerous on the break and Kane had a golden opportunity with a one on one but he shanked his effort wide. And then the equaliser came from an unexpected source. Hojbjerg finished clinically, but the drama was at the other end of the pitch where Rodrigo Bentancur fouled Kai Havertz but play was waved on, leading to the Spurs leveller.
The tow head coaches, Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel, squared up on the touchline as tempers erupted both on and off the pitch.
Havertz missed a sitter moments later; but Chelsea went ahead again when James latched on to a through ball from Sterling and slid the ball cooly home.
But more drama was to come.
Ivan Perisic’s 96th minute corner was swung in and Kane showed all his determination and guile to head home the leveller.
A small section of Stamford Bridge celebrated; but it wasn’t Blue.
Key statistics
Spurs came into this game with five losses and a draw in the last six meetings with Chelsea and, with seconds on the clock there was another defeat on the way.
It’s a big point for Tottenham, who have still won only one of the 31 visits to Stamford Bridge, but it was a blow to Tuchel who had won all of his previous seven games in management against Tottenham.
What’s next?
The early season Premier League 2022 betting odds say that both these teams will finish in the top four and on this evidence they probably will.
The Blues’ dominance and Spurs’ resilience both deserved something.
Chelsea are away to Leeds next week before returning home to Stamford Bridge to face Leicester City. Jesse Marsch’s Whites have made a good start with a home win over Wolves and then a draw in Southampton, while the Foxes are yet to win, with just a point against Brentford to show for their efforts.
Spurs are at home to Wolves, who also have just one point so far, before they go on their travels again to face Steve Coopers Nottingham Forest, who won their first Premier League match this century with a dramatic 1-0 victory over West Ham United on Sunday.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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