Todd Boehly’s Chelsea buy could also be strictly enterprise however the American acquired the full-on Premier League expertise as he regarded down on his costly new acquisition from on excessive at Stamford Bridge.
Boehly was all smiles earlier than kick-off, a very seen presence within the searing warmth and humidity of west London as he settled again to take in what was by no means going to be a quiet afternoon when his new post-Roman Abramovich Chelsea met Tottenham.
Chelsea and Spurs don’t do quiet. There is long-standing antipathy and when a recreation of excessive controversy, sizzling tempers and two managers seemingly intent on getting proper up one another’s nostril had concluded, Boehly most likely wanted a lengthy, cool drink to relax together with everybody else.
It was quick, frenzied and excellent leisure, though there shall be lots who is not going to approve of the common crowd scenes that enveloped the technical space, with Chelsea supervisor Thomas Tuchel and Spurs counterpart Antonio Conte the central figures.
The last rating of 2-2 solely scratches the floor of a thunderous recreation and if Boehly purchased into Chelsea for a contact of field workplace then he will definitely get it if that is something to go by.
The backside line is Chelsea deserved to win and they’re going to curse the very fact they didn’t. They have been higher than Spurs and mustn’t have given them the chance to come again twice.
Chelsea’s new signings Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella joined forces for his or her first aim, slammed in by the previous Napoli powerhouse on the volley from a nook.
Things have been already ticking on the touchline between the 2 flamable managers, however actually took off after 68 minutes when referee Anthony Taylor determined Rodrigo Bentancur had not fouled Kai Havertz. Chelsea’s complaints have been ongoing when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg despatched a low shot previous Edouard Mendy.
Conte turned the brand new logic of refusing to have fun towards a former membership – keep in mind he gained the Premier League and FA Cup at Stamford Bridge – on its head by stalking menacingly in direction of the enraged Tuchel with a snarl of celebration and the pair ending face to face and surrounded by what regarded like a solid of hundreds.
Two yellow playing cards. Other colors would comply with.
Reece James put Chelsea again in entrance, Tuchel recreating the previous Jose Mourinho celebration by sprinting alongside the touchline, pointedly ignoring Conte as he went.
All over? Not fairly.
Harry Kane’s header within the sixth minute of stoppage time noticed honours even, however Tuchel and Conte solely heard the bell to come out for the ultimate spherical, the German seemingly holding on to the post-match handshake too lengthy, seemingly suggesting eye contact was being averted.
Cue one other crowd scene and extra playing cards. This time pink.
Boehly may have regarded on with a combination of disappointment and fascination. So that is what the Premier League is all about?
Cut away the confrontation and Chelsea confirmed they’ll nonetheless be a power to be reckoned with this season, not less than within the context of the highest 4.
Boehly appears decided to give Tuchel much more new faces earlier than the switch deadline, with Everton rejecting Chelsea’s £40m bid for Anthony Gordon, however those that have arrived already demonstrated their price on this Stamford Bridge hothouse.
Koulibaly confirmed why he has been one of many recreation’s most coveted defenders for therefore lengthy, whereas Cucurella was busy at each ends of the sector – goalscorer and creator.
Raheem Sterling missed one massive likelihood however was composed sufficient to arrange James for the second and Tuchel is aware of what the England ahead will deliver.
Chelsea regarded extra compact than for a while, urgent from the entrance extra successfully, Romelu Lukaku proving unsuitable for that function in his one ill-starred season again at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel may barely include his anger at officialdom after the sport. But he could really feel extra glad with this efficiency, regardless that it solely introduced one level, towards a higher group in Spurs, than three from a quite scratchy, laboured effort in victory at Everton on the opening weekend.
It will all be overshadowed by the touchline antics of Tuchel and Conte, however when the mud settles the Chelsea supervisor may be pleased with what he noticed – and Boehly may have a higher concept of precisely what he has purchased into.
