Antonio Conte-Thomas Tuchel screaming match ends feisty Chelsea-Tottenham thriller

The red cards finally came out at the conclusion of a spirited 2-2 draw Sunday between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel and Spurs manager Antonio Conte both were booked following a contentious handshake at the final whistle of the English Premier League match in London.

Tuchel refused to release Conte’s hand — and motioned for his opposing manager to look him in the eye — as coaches, officials and players from both sides converged on the sideline.

“I thought that when we shake hands we look into each other’s eyes, but he had other opinions,” Tuchel said after the game. “It was not necessary, but a lot of things weren’t necessary. Another bad decision from the ref.”

Tottenham star Harry Kane scored on a header in the closing seconds of added time for the equalizer for the visitors, but Tuchel argued that both Spurs goals should have been disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

Chelsea twice had one-goal leads erased. No foul was called when Tottenham’s Rodrigo Betancur brought down Kai Havertz ahead of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scoring for a 1-1 knot in the 68th minute. The two coaching staffs jawed with each other after Conte animatedly celebrated the goal.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel wouldn’t let go of Tottenham manager Antonio Conte’s hand at the end of their match on Sunday. AFP via Getty Images Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel then started screaming in each other’s faces. AFP via Getty Images Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte then had to be separated. AP

Tuchel also believed the first scoring play was offside, and that replays showed Cristian Romero clearly pulling Blues defender Marc Cucurella’s hair — an infraction worthy of ejection — moments before Kane’s equalizer.

“We were absolutely brilliant,” Tuchel said. “Both goals cannot stand. One team deserves to win: It’s us. I’m sorry for my team that they don’t get what they deserve.

“Clear foul on Kai Havertz in the build-up. Clear offside from Richarlison. He’s in the line of the shot. He goes toward the shot. And since when can we pull hair on the football field? And we check it and nothing happens? It’s ridiculous.”