Roberto De Zerbi left fuming as Spurs star gets sent off vs Chelsea after being on the pitch for 3 minutes

Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi was left fuming after defender Kevin Danso was sent off just three minutes after being substituted on in the Sydney Super Cup against Chelsea.

The London clubs faced off at the Accor Stadium on Saturday (August 1), with Xabi Alonso fielding several first-team players such as Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Wesley Fofana, as well as a combination of youngsters, including new right-back Marco Palestra.

Meanwhile, De Zerbi named a strong starting XI, with summer recruits Andrew Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali starting the friendly.

And it was the Italian who opened the scoring on 17 minutes with a smart strike from outside the penalty area to register his first goal since completing a £100 million move from Newcastle United.

But it took just four minutes for Chelsea to level things, with Estevao nodding past Antonín Kinský at the back post.

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At half-time, De Zerbi and Alonso made changes. Danso and Richarlison replaced Van Hecke and Solanke, while Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli replaced Romeo Lavia for Chelsea.

However, Danso’s evening lasted just three minutes as he was sent off for a challenge on Pedro.

The 27-year-old Austria international failed to control the ball as the Brazilian sprinted past him, with the defender dragging the forward down before receiving his marching orders.

Footage from Paramount+ Australia quickly cut to De Zerbi, who sat back in his seat, appearing annoyed by his player’s mistake.

Fans were quick to react to Danso's red card on social media.

One said: "RED CARD FOR SPURS! Danso fouls Joao Pedro as the last man. It is never a friendly between Chelsea and Spurs."

Another added: “I know Danso has to be sent off by the letter of the law, but it's a pre-season friendly and neither side really benefit from it in terms of their preparations. Spurs maybe get some extra fitness, but the game was being played at a decent tempo before, which was helpful all round.”

A third claimed: “Danso went from bad to worse. Came on as a substitute and within three minutes he was walking back to the dressing room.”

While a fourth commented: “I mean, just because it’s a friendly doesn’t mean the rules don’t apply. That was a stonewall red for Danso…”

Alonso made seven more changes with 10 minutes to go, with Josh Acheampong, Liam Delap, Reggie Walsh, Omari Kellyman, Tosin Adarabioyo, Reggie Watson and Mamadou Sarr introduced, while Levi Colwill, Palestra, Dario Essugo, Palmer, Jamie Gittens, Fofana and Pedro were withdrawn.

De Zerbi also made two further changes, with Kota Takai and Jamie Donley replacing Ben Davies and Tonali.

Richarlison's stoppage-time strike secured Spurs' 2-1 win with almost the last kick of the game, with the Brazilian taking advantage of a rebound after Donley’s shot hit the post.

Next up, De Zerbi’s side face Getafe in a behind-closed-doors clash on August 8 before back-to-back friendlies against Hoffenheim on August 15 and 16, ahead of their Premier League opener away at Brentford on August 22.