Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel BLAMES Spurs’ Antonio Conte ducking his handshake for angry full-time row

An incandescent Thomas Tuchel has insisted Antonio Conte was at fault for their angry full-time row. 

Conte’s Tottenham controversially rescued a 2-2 draw against Tuchel’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon amid furious scenes which saw both managers sent off in the London derby.

At the final whistle, the two squared up following their post-match handshake, with Tuchel blasting the Italian in his post-match press conference.

Incandescent Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel (right) has insisted Tottenham boss Antonio Conte (left) was at fault for their angry full-time row after a bitter London derby on Sunday

Conte seemed to take exception to Tuchel's handshake after the full time whistle in London

Conte seemed to take exception to Tuchel’s handshake after the full time whistle in London

The two squared off for a second time, with things getting even more physical than previously

The two squared off for a second time, with things getting even more physical than previously

Discussing his red card, he said: ‘I thought when you shake hands you look into each other’s eyes. Antonio (Conte) had other ideas. Another poor decision from the referee today.’

The German – seemingly more unhappy with referee Anthony Taylor than Conte – went on to blast the official’s decisions regarding the Tottenham goals, adding: ‘Both goals should not stand. Only one team deserved to win, that was us. 

‘I don’t know how many tactical fouls Hojbjerg and Bentancur did today. Since when can we pull hair in a football match? They checked and nothing happened, absolutely ridiculous.

‘I can’t understand. The whole dressing room can’t understand it. I am frustrated the players don’t get the rewards they deserve. It’s down to these incredible decisions. Maybe it would be better (if Taylor doesn’t referee Chelsea). But we have VAR.’ 

Conte responded: ‘In my opinion it is better to talk about the game. I don’t want to comment on the situation, if there is a problem that is between me and him (Tuchel) and not anyone else. The referee showed me the red card but he didn’t understand the dynamic of what happened. It’s okay, I have to accept it. It’s not a big problem.’

The two managers squared off following Pierre-Emile Hojberg’s equaliser after Tuchel suggested Kai Havertz was fouled by Rodrigo Bentancur in the build-up, before distasteful scenes could be seen after the full time whistle.

Tuchel first complained about a potential foul on Kai Havertz in the build-up to the equaliser

Tuchel first complained about a potential foul on Kai Havertz in the build-up to the equaliser

Tuchel ran past Conte, who was head in hands, after Reece James scored minutes later

Tuchel ran past Conte, who was head in hands, after Reece James scored minutes later

Both managers and one member of each side’s coaching staff were shown a yellow card for the incident. 

After Tuchel had sprinted past Conte on his way to celebrate Chelsea’s second goal, Tottenham secured another equaliser, this time in the last minute, and the battle was on again off the pitch.

Following an attempted handshake, things again kicked off with the two once again squaring up, each in the other’s face before they were once more separated and received their marching orders.

Jamie Carragher, who was on co-commentary for the game on Sky, revelled in the fight. On the clash after the first goal, he said: ‘People say they don’t like scenes like that, but I must say, I love that, watching that. I want more of it!’

The goal was checked on VAR, but the foul was adjudged to have taken place in a previous phase of play.  There were also debates of whether Richarlison was offside. ‘He is offside, but it’s whether he’s interfering with play,’ Carragher added.

‘The ball goes past his foot but it doesn’t block the goalkeeper’s view – that’s a goal, rightly so. It’s not even the next phase, it looked five or six phases back. I think it was definitely one they’d be frustrated about in normal time in the game. 

The two managers got physical again after full time, and both were ultimately sent off

The two managers got physical again after full time, and both were ultimately sent off

The German and Italian went head-to-head in more ways than one at Stamford Bridge

The German and Italian went head-to-head in more ways than one at Stamford Bridge

A melee followed and both managers will not have to serve a suspension in the coming games

A melee followed and both managers will not have to serve a suspension in the coming games

Harry Kane netted a last-minute equaliser for Tottenham after they had twice trailed

Harry Kane netted a last-minute equaliser for Tottenham after they had twice trailed

‘He gets a touch of the ball but he has to go through the side of the ankle initially, which I felt he did.’ 

Chelsea re-took the lead just minutes later, with Reece James scoring, and Tuchel reacted by sprinting down the touchline to celebrate, passing a glum Conte on the way, who was head in hands.

He added: ‘In the middle I thought I should not do this but sometimes a match gets you and this one really sucked me in. It was pure joy, it may offend our opponents but they did the same.’  

However the worst was yet to come, with the two clashing once again following the full time whistle. 

Both were ambushed by staff and players in an attempt to prevent things going over the top, but that didn’t stop both being given a red.

Carragher added at the end: ‘What a league we’ve got. That just sums up the Premier League on and off the pitch. Absolutely fantastic, can’t take your eyes off it for a minute.’ 

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