Chelsea’s football club vigorously and publicly aired complaints regarding them having to play matches with a heavily – depleted team due to the COVID – 19 virus as they eventually recorded a draw at Wolverhampton. Liverpool was up in arms involving the officiating from referees in their subsequential draw versus Tottenham Hotspur.
While Manchester City just easily continued to increase their lead atop of the English Premier League. The champs cruised right by Newcastle on Sunday with a final tally of 4 to 0 following their domination of Leeds with a final score of 7 to 0 earlier last week.
Pep Guardiola’s club moved up 3 – points in front of Liverpool, who tied 2 to 2 at Tottenham Hotspur following Liverpool’s defenseman, Andrew Robertson, got sent off and were infuriated that Tottenham Hotspur’s striker, Harry Kane, didn’t also get sent off during the match.
Liverpool had already conceded their final goal when Son Heung – Min hit the equalizing goal score during the 74th – minute when Robertson was officially dismissed for a wild kicking penalty on Emerson Royal just 3 – minutes later.
Robertson’s early exit increased the focus that Kane was allowed to stay on the pitch earlier back during play in the 1st – half after a lunge against Robertson. Kane had previously put Tottenham Hotspur in front of Liverpool following him connecting with Tanguy Ndombele’s through ball and netting a score for only his 2nd – league goal of the season over the course of his 15 – matches played.
Liverpool did eventually take the lead, with Diogo Jota heading in the equalizer during the 35th – minute of the game as well as Robertson nodding in their 2nd – goal from close in during the 69th – minute of play. Although Liverpool’s goal – tender, Alisson Becker, failed on an attempt to clear the long ball of Harry Winks which led to Son’s equalizer late in the contest on an empty net.
On the other hand, Chelsea’s head coach Thomas Tuchel was outspoken and extremely critical of the English Premier League for not allowing their trip to Wolverhampton to be postponed. That match ultimately ended in a 0 to 0 draw over a weekend where 6 of the 10 games were postponed because of the COVID – 19 positive cases involving other clubs.
Chelsea was forced to play without 7 of their players due to COVID – 19 related issues as well as the Jorginho vs. Molineux match was not risked following inconclusive COVID – 19 testing results. Chelsea has now fallen 6 – points in back of Manchester City, and Liverpool is currently 3 – point behind Man City in the English Premier League table at the moment.
Media Statements
“I have no problems with any referees — only you,” Jürgen Klopp yelled at referee, Paul Tierney, following the final whistle of the match. “We can give Robbo a red card, it’s not the smartest challenge of his life, but that (from Kane) is definitely a red card,” Klopp goes on to say. “People will say his leg is in the air, but it’s pure coincidence. Harry cannot judge that, if Robbo’s leg is on the ground, it’s a broken leg.”
“It was an exciting game and we created many, many chances,” the Tottenham Hotspur head coach Antonio Conte proclaimed. “We have to be a bit disappointed with the draw. We played against a really strong team, this team is amazing and they are working for many years.”
“I am aware still of the margin that we have to be a better team,” says the head coach of Manchester City Pep Guardiola, “and we are working on that.”
“We were put in a huge risk of health and safety to the players, not just because of COVID but also physically,” the manager of Chelsea Thomas Tuchel explained. “I’m not sure if I’ll catch COVID. Hopefully I will not catch it.”
Sources:
Harris, Rob. “Man City takes advantage of Chelsea, Liverpool slip – ups”. The Associated Press. December 19, 2021.
“English Premier League Table 2021 – 22”. ESPN. December 21, 2021.