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Conte and Tuchel in crazy bust up as Chelsea and Spurs share spoils, Forest claim first EPL win in 23 years

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14th August, 2022
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Rival managers Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte were both sent off after clashing following a dramatic 2-2 draw between Chelsea and Tottenham.

Spurs’ England captain Harry Kane equalised in the sixth minute of stoppage time on Sunday, reigniting the confrontation between the pair that had begun earlier in the game.

As they shook hands on the field, Tuchel seemed to not let go of his grip, intimating that Conte look him in the eyes.

Pushing and shoving ensued, just as there had been between the two managers in the technical area during the match at Stamford Bridge. 

They were then both shown red cards.

Conte had celebrated Tottenham’s first equaliser, by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the 68th minute, by barging into the chest of Tuchel, sparking a melee among the two sets of coaching staff.

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Then, after Reece James put Chelsea back in front in the 77th, Tuchel set off on a sprint past Conte and down the touchline, clenching his fist in pure delight.

Kane’s goal came in the sixth of seven added-on minutes, the striker glancing in a header that took a touch off the thigh of James before going into the net.

Kalidou Koulibaly had put Chelsea ahead in the 19th minute by meeting a deep corner from Marc Cucurella with a stunning volley that flew high into the net for his first goal since joining in the offseason from Napoli.

Tottenham, who had only come to life after the introduction of Richarlison, ended a run of five straight losses to Chelsea in all competitions but remained stuck on just one victory at Stamford Bridge since the Premier League started in 1992.

Both teams are among six to have four points from two games, with Manchester City and Arsenal leading the way on a maximum six points.

At the City Ground, Nottingham Forest rode their luck before marking their first home game in the top flight in 23 years with a 1-0 win over West Ham.

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A scrappy goal by off-season signing Taiwo Awoniyi in first-half stoppage time settled Sunday’s match played in a party atmosphere, earning Forest their first points since returning to the Premier League.

However, West Ham’s players will wonder how they left without at least a point.

Declan Rice had a 65th-minute penalty saved by on-loan Forest goalkeeper Dean Henderson, Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma both hit the underside of the crossbar with long-range shots in the second half, and Benrahma had a goal ruled out after video review late in the first half.

Then there was the stunning save by Henderson to deny Tomas Soucek and the goal-line clearance by the scrambling Neco Williams to keep out Kurt Zouma’s header in the 83rd minute as West Ham pressed relentlessly for an equaliser.

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While West Ham have now opened with back-to-back losses, Forest are off the mark after starting their first season in the Premier League since 1999 with a 2-0 loss at Newcastle last weekend.

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Forest have made 12 signings since getting promoted and two of them were involved in the only goal.

Jesse Lingard, who joined after being released by Manchester United, sent in a weak shot on goal that struck the outstretched foot of West Ham defender Ben Johnson. The ball ricocheted onto Awoniyi’s leg and bounced into the net.

The goal came five minutes after Benrahma thought he had given West Ham the lead by slotting home a finish from Rice’s through-ball only for VAR to spot Michail Antonio had bundled into Orel Mangala off the ball as he ran towards the area in support.

The second half mostly belonged to West Ham and the best chance for an equaliser fell to Rice, after a penalty was awarded following a handball by Scott McKenna as the defender dived to block Soucek’s goalbound shot.

Henderson guessed correctly, diving to his right to save Rice’s low effort, and blew a kiss to the crowd with one hand as he held the ball in the other.

© AAP

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