Every Spurs player set to miss Premier League action after chaotic Chelsea loss
Tottenham’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season was ended by Chelsea after one of the most memorable matches in recent history.
Ange Postecoglou’s side came into the clash with the chance to return to the top of the table and put themselves in command when Dejan Kulusevski opened the scoring after six minutes. But that was merely the start of the drama, Heung-min Son saw a second Spurs goal ruled out, kicking off a period of unmitigated drama.
Destiny Udogie avoided a red card for a dangerous, two-footed tackle, minutes before Raheem Sterling saw an equaliser disallowed. The England international was adjudged to have handled the ball before scoring, with Spurs defender Cristian Romero escaping a red despite kicking Levi Colwill at the other end.
Moises Caicedo was the next to believe he had levelled, only to be denied by the offside flag. However, Chelsea were given a reprieve - and a penalty - for a high tackle from Romero on Enzo Fernandes in the box.
The Argentine defender was given his marching orders, the fourth time he has seen red since arriving in the Premier League. Cole Palmer scored from the spot, and in doing so turned the tide Chelsea’s way.
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It went from bad to worse for Postecoglou before the break with two of the stars of the early Premier League season both picking up injuries. First Micky van de Ven went off with a hamstring injury, before James Maddison followed him down the tunnel.
The half-time break didn’t stop the madness either. Udogie was dismissed for a second yellow before the hour mark, with the nine men of Tottenham forced to navigate more than forty minutes with a two-man disadvantage.
Their resistance was duly broken by Nicolas Jackson in the 75th minute, with the Blues forward then scoring twice more in stoppage time to wrap up a frankly ridiculous 4-1 victory. But aside from losing their unblemished start, the loss will have serious consequences on their upcoming fixtures.
Tottenham head to Wolves on Saturday, but will arrive in the Black Country seriously shorthanded. Here’s the list of players that either will definitely miss the game, or at serious risk of doing so.
Cristian Romero saw red for a high challenge on Enzo Fernandes (PA)Cristian Romero
“He's a physical guy. It's a part of his strengths and today it was deemed he went too far and we've just got to cop it,” Postecoglou said of the defender.
Unfortunately, that kind of dismissal has become all too familiar. No player has been sent off more than Romero since he arrived in the Premier League in 2021.
He will now miss the next three league matches, with Spurs forced to cope without him against Wolves, Aston Villa and Manchester City.
Micky van de Ven
And Romero’s absence will be even more damaging with his partner at the back also set for an extended absence. Postecoglou described the Dutchman’s hamstring as “significant”, meaning he could be out even longer than Romero.
It leaves Tottenham with a dearth of options at the heart of their defence, they finished against Chelsea with a pairing of full-back Emerson Royal and unfancied Eric Dier.
Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven suffered what Ange Postecoglou branded a "significant" hamstring injury (AFP via Getty Images)Destiny Udogie
The Italian could - and possibly should - have been gone in the first half, but he finished the job in the second and will now miss the trip to Wolves. It means even more reshuffling for Spurs at a ground where Manchester City have already been beaten this season.
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James Maddison
The outlook was a bit more promising on Maddison than his teammate Van de Ven. Postecoglou said: “Madders got a knock on the ankle and we'll just have to assess him and see how it is.
"We were down one man already. It made sense to make a couple of changes at that point."
However, it’s a quick turnaround considering they are in the Saturday lunchtime kick off. That could mean the influential midfielder either misses the game completely, or at the very least, starts from the bench.
Other absentees
Manor Solomon, Ivan Perisic, Ben Davies and Ryan Sessegnon were already missing from the Tottenham squad against Chelsea. Of that quartet, only Davies will be in contention for a return any time soon.
The Welsh defender picked up a knock in training, but the indication was that his injury wasn't a serious one and he could be back in the travelling party against Wolves.
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