Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte fought all throughout, and then after, Chelsea and Tottenham’s action-packed 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Both coaches were red carded at full time after their post-game handshake inevitably devolved into another headed confrontation.
The action on the pitch was plenty entertaining on its own but on the sidelines, the German and Italian had it out in a three-round affair.
Round One
Tottenham’s 68th-minute equalizer through Pierre-Emile Højbjerg was highly controversial, as it appeared that Rodrigo Bentancur fouled Kai Havertz in the build-up. After the goal stood, Tuchel and Conte had their first clash of the afternoon and were both yellow carded.
To the tape!
Take a look at the goal, the potential foul on Havertz and Conte & Tuchel getting face to face. 👀
📺: @USA_Network & @Telemundo #MyPLMorning | #CHETOT pic.twitter.com/CLEbo4BQH7
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 14, 2022
Round Two
Chelsea appeared to have won the match in the 77th minute when Reece James scored, and Tuchel made sure his counterpart knew how elated he was by sprinting past Conte along the touchline.
Reece James with the first time finish and Chelsea are back in the lead! #CFC
📺: @USA_Network & @Telemundo #MyPLMorning | #CHETOT pic.twitter.com/7M9EV03ZXW
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 14, 2022
Round Three
After Harry Kane equalized with a dramatic stoppage-time header, Tuchel and Conte decided that, despite their previous issues throughout the match, that the traditional post-game handshake was still in order.
We all knew how this would turn out.
Fireworks after the final whistle between Tuchel and Conte!#MyPLMorning | #CHETOT pic.twitter.com/CuakP2XH0F
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 14, 2022
The aftermath
“I thought when we shake hands you look in each other’s eyes, Antonio had a different opinion,” Tuchel told Sky Sports after the game.
The Chelsea manager also pointed out his belief that Richarlison was offside on Tottenham’s first goal and also fumed over what he felt was a missed call on Cristian Romero for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair.
“There was a clear foul on Kai Havertz and the situation goes on and on. Richarlison was offside and when can you pull hair on a football field?”
Conte, for his part, tried to play down the clash with Tuchel.
“I don’t want to comment on the [Tuchel] situation, this is not the most important thing,” he told Sky Sports. “If there’s a problem, it’s between me and him.”
[lawrence-related id=6019,6006,5983]