Thomas Tuchel was left frustrated by Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur after Harry Kane’s stoppage time equaliser denied the hosts all three points.
Chelsea were moments away from maintaining their 100 per cent start to the 2022/23 Premier League season after goals from Kalidou Koulibaly and Reece James cancelled out Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s leveller shortly after the hour mark in west London.
Tuchel’s side felt that there was a foul on Kai Havertz in the build-up to the first equaliser, as well as Richarlison - who was in an offside position - blocking Edouard Mendy’s sighting of the shot.
In stoppage time, Marc Cucurella was dragged down by Cristian Romero but Anthony Taylor and VAR didn’t see anything wrong with the incident which led to Kane to head past Mendy to send the away section into jubilation and clinch a 2-2 draw.
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It got heated on the touchline at multiple points between the managers as they expressed their emotions, both positively and negatively, with scuffles breaking out between the two dugouts.
Despite the draw, it was a performance that pleased the Chelsea head coach as they were forced to be frustrated with refereeing decisions which they believed cost them the three points.
"We were absolutely brilliant,” Tuchel told Sky Sports at full-time.
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“I have to say both (Spurs) goals cannot stand. It’s only one team that deserved to win and that was us. I’m sorry for my team they don’t get what they deserve.
"It was a clear foul on Havertz in the build-up, a clear foul. We had one tactical foul from James which got a yellow. I don’t know how many tactical fouls Hojbjerg and Bentancur did today.
“The situation went on and on, and it was a clear offside on Richarlison. He is in line of the shot. He even goes to the ball, so Mendy can’t see the ball. The check it, it is a clear offside.
"And when can you pull hair on the football field? When is that? So we check and nothing happens, so we don’t need to check no more. It’s ridiculous.
“That is the only frustration. I am the happiest coach on earth as we played a fantastic match.
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"We dominated for 90 minutes, we were sharp and hungry in all areas of the pitch.
“It was a top, top, top performance. I’m sorry for my players.”
The Chelsea boss added: "Hopefully in the season we will steal some points at the last minute. This can happen.
"But it can't happen when we have VAR that goals are allowed that should not be goals. This is unacceptable.
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"We were so sharp, fully on, and played a brilliant match. What a step up for us from the first game against Everton."
Topics: Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League, Football
Matthew Debono