Spurs 1-4 Chelsea: Jackson bags hat-trick as hosts see red

Mauricio Pochettino’s return to Tottenham ended as a memorable one thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson.

The London derby produced yet another classic with the Blues earning a deserved win on Monday night thanks to three goals from Nicolas Jackson.

In a contest that has brought about plenty of drama in recent seasons, the home side found the perfect start with Dejan Kulusevski’s shot deflecting off Levi Colwill, leaving Robert Sanchez helpless.

The west London side looked rattled early on but had a great chance for an equaliser when Jackson was played through, cutting onto his right foot, but the striker was denied by a strong left hand from Vicario.

In an end to end game from the outset, Son Heung-Min was an inch from doubling the home teams lead, only for a close VAR call saving the Blues from going 2-0 down.

Half way through the first 45 minutes, Raheem Sterling had the ball in the back of the net, however VAR again disallowed the goal with the ball ricocheting off the attackers arm before slotting home.

Moments later and the controversial technology was called in for a fourth time when Moises Caicedo’s shot found the bottom corner, but Nicolas Jackson was deemed offside and blocking the goalkeepers view.

However in the build up play, Christian Romero’s challenge saw studs striking Enzo Fernandez leg. VAR suggested Michael Oliver change his decision and Romero was sent off. Cole Palmer slotted home a deserved leveller from the spot 35 minutes in.

12 minutes of added time were required following delays in play, including Ange Postecoglou being forced into three first half changes. James Maddison and Micky van de Ven left the field injured and Eric Dier replaced Brennan Johnson following the red card.

An enthralling first half came to an end with the scores level, Chelsea with a one man advantage and the fans fired up.

Pochettino made a change at half time, removing Colwill who had been cautioned and bringing in Marc Cucurella at left back.

The drama of the first half continued with Destiny Udogie sent packing following a rash challenge on Sterling, leading to a second yellow card and Spurs down to nine with 35 minutes to play.

Mykhailo Mudryk replaced Enzo with the away side looking hammer home the player advantage and find the space in behind.

Tottenham had goalkeeper Vicario to thank for staying in the game. The Italian put in a heroic performance, playing as a sweeper keeper and producing numerous saves to deny the Blues from going ahead.

Frustration built as the minutes ticked on and it looked as though the home side may hold out in unlikely circumstances.

Finally, with 15 minutes to play, Sterling broke the high line of Tottenham, running through on goal and squaring the ball to the waiting Jackson who tapped in to give Chelsea the lead.

Postecoglou’s men wouldn’t back down and seconds later, Eric Dier smashed home from a free kick but was given offside. VAR checked with a flick on close to coming off both Thiago Silva and Axel Disasi but confirmed the ball hit Rodrigo Bentancur.

With nine minutes of time added on, Pochettino removed Sterling with Lesley Ugochukwu for fresh legs in midfield.

Tottenham pushed to find a final opportunity and Sanchez was forced into a good save to deny Son and late leveller.

The game was sealed when Jackson scored his second and then third of the game. Firstly tapping in from close range, before moments later going one on one with Vicario and rounding the goalkeeper to score his first hat-trick – Chelsea gaining a big three points away from home.