Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte are the recipients of the first red card of the 2022-2023 Premier League season. The duo had to be separated twice on the touchline as the game climaxes in goals and counter goals.
Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte have become the first casualties of a new Premier League rule which permits the referee to sanction any match official that assaults or violates another official or player even after the final whistle.
The two top Premier League managers had to be separated twice as tensions heightened in the first London derby of the 2022-2023 season between Chelsea and Tottenham.
The referee first warned them with a yellow card after they clashed earlier in the game. The second clash attracted a straight red card; the two coaches are now banished from the touchline in their next Premier League fixtures.
If Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur decide not to appeal against the red card, Antonio Conte would not be on the sidelines when Tottenham Hotspur take on Wolves on August 20 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. While Thomas Tuchel will not be on the sidelines when Chelsea take on Leeds United on August 21 at Elland Road.
A Tensed Clash At Stamford Bridge
Before the clash at Stamford Bridge, Conte has admitted that he expects a tough and challenging game with the Tuchel-led club. The two Premier League giants had kicked off their 2022-2023 Premier League campaign with winning starts. The Blues flew to Goodison Park and salvaged a 1-0 win against a stubborn Everton. The Lilywhites sat back at the White Hart Lane to demolish a shambolic Southampton 4-1. Both clubs locked horns as they aimed for a second successive victory.
However, Thomas went into the game with far superior head-to-head stats; the last time Chelsea lost to Tottenham at Stamford Bridge was on April 1, 2018. The Lilywhites won 3-1, Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli scored the goals. It was the first time in 24 years that Chelsea had suffered defeat in the hands of their North London neighbors. Hence, ahead of the clash, the odds against Antonio Conte were high.
In January, Thomas Tuchel had completed a triple against Antonio Conte, beating Tottenham 3 times in a row and completing a perfect record against the Lilywhites. He made it 7/7 with six clean sheets and scoring 14 goals. Hence, Antonio Conte went into the match with his full chest to defy the record and prove a point.
The Antonio Conte-led team started the game with clinical and brilliant touches as the shaky Chelsea team lost possession cheaply. A few minutes later, the Blues picked up their game and sent the visitors to defense with a good ball play.
Hugo Lloris came under intense pressure. Kai Havertz’s thunderbolt strike was parried by the Frenchman. It was Marc Cucurella’s corner kick that was the curtain-raiser. Koulibaly completed a perfect volley from the corner kick to put the hosts in front. It was a beautiful home debut for the new signing but a nightmare for Antonio Conte at the touchlines.
The first hint of a possible clash was observed when Tuchel flew into a wild celebration, stepping off his technical area to celebrate the goal. Chelsea went into the break with the lead.
Halfway into the second half, Tottenham pulled a dramatic equalizer to bring the scoreline to 1-1, courtesy of Hojbjerg’s 68th-minute strike. Conte mimicked Tuchel and went into an exuberant celebration directed at Tuchel. The two coaches nearly clashed after Tottenham’s 68th-minute equalizer. They were warned with a yellow card from the referee.
Chelsea restored dominance and pushed for a second goal. Reece James powered in a 77th-minute strike to restore the lead. Tuchel again jumped into celebration as he streaked past a glumly-looking Conte.
The Blues were just seconds away from completing a successive win over their London neighbors before Kane headed in a 96th-minute equalizer.
Tempers flared at the touchlines as the final whistle blew. Regular end-of-game handshakes between the two managers turned into a bitter and heated struggle as Tuchel could be seen firmly grabbing the hand of his Italian counterpart in anger.
The two coaches slipped into a brawl before other officials, and the players rushed to the scene to separate them. The rivalry on the pitch had spilled into the touchlines. The referee issued a red card for the duo, making them the first managers to be sanctioned in the 2022-2023 Premier League campaign.
