Chelsea ended nine-man Tottenham’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season as Nicolas Jackson’s hat-trick inspired a 4-1 win in a chaotic clash filled with VAR drama on Monday night.
Chelsea manager, Mauricio Pochettino, was able to savour a sweet victory over Tottenham on his first return to the club since his sacking in 2019.
But the Argentine’s revenge mission was overshadowed by an incredible litany of controversial incidents, including red cards for Tottenham duo Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie.
Dejan Kulusevski had given Tottenham an early lead, but Romero was dismissed for a foul that led to Cole Palmer’s equaliser from the penalty spot before half-time.
Referee Michael Oliver and the over-worked VAR officials sent off Udogie soon after the break for his second booking.
Both teams had goals disallowed by VAR, while Tottenham’s misfortune also included losing England playmaker, James Maddison, and Dutch defender, Micky van de Ven, to first-half injuries.
Chelsea finally made the most of their numerical advantage when Senegal striker, Jackson, netted three times in the closing stages to hand Tottenham their first defeat in 11 league games.
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Ange Postecoglou’s team remain in second place, one point behind leaders Manchester City, while Chelsea moved up to 10th place after their first win in three league games.
Speaking after the game, Postecoglou said: “There will be a forensic study of every decision out there, I think that is the way the game is going and I don’t like it.
“If you look at all that standing around we did today, maybe people enjoy that sort of thing but I’d rather see us playing football.”
On his part, Pochettino said: “The technology is there and we need to accept. Many things happen on the pitch and you need to verify and check.
“We deserve the credit. Tottenham are doing fantastic but tonight we were the better team.”
Tottenham next travel to Wolves on Saturday.
They are then are back in action after the international break when Aston Villa visit north London on November 26.
Chelsea, on the other hand, face a tricky test in champions Manchester City at Stamford Bridge next Sunday.
They then visit Newcastle after the international break on November 25.
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