MY ACCOUNT
Kalidou Koulibaly’s first goal in a Chelsea shirt was overshadowed as tempers flared at Stamford Bridge — but the towering centre-back will never forget it.
The £33million summer signing volleyed the Blues into the lead against Tottenham during a pulsating first half in West London.
His sensational 19th-minute strike from Marc Cucurella’s corner was eventually cancelled out by a drive from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, before Reece James was teed up by Raheem Sterling to restore the lead after 77 minutes.
But after an ill-tempered affair had boiled over on the pitch and the touchline, Harry Kane nodded home a last-gasp equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
Koulibaly, 31, said: “I was feeling amazing to score with my second shot at Stamford Bridge, it was really beautiful.
“I didn’t expect it but I was really happy to do it in front of our supporters.
“It was an amazing atmosphere and when everybody shouted my name I was really happy. I hope it will not be the last time, I want to feel this the next time.”
With all hell breaking loose in the technical area, it would be easy to forget the dominant display Chelsea served up against their much-fancied rivals.
But while Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte claimed the headlines for their skirmishes, which were punctuated by a physical clash at full-time, Koulibaly preferred to focus on events on the pitch.
And the Senegalese international was pleased with the commitment and effort produced by the home side — even if having to share the spoils left a bitter taste.
He added: “I think we deserved more and we have to keep on believing in us because we know we are a great team and can do better.
“It was very difficult to concede that goal in the last minute, it hurt a bit, but I think we did a good game, a great game.
“We saw the beautiful face of Chelsea and this is the most important thing and you have to keep on going after this draw.
“We didn’t deserve it because we made a lot of good things and to draw at the last minute, of course it felt a bit like a defeat. But we have to keep on working and try to win the next game.
“So it was a good day for the Chelsea fans and the Chelsea team for 90 minutes, but at the end they got this goal and we have to work on it.”
The Blues are back in action at Leeds on Sunday but they will have to do without Tuchel’s presence on the bench.
Both the German and Conte were shown red cards following yesterday’s match for an ugly bust-up that was apparently sparked by the Spurs boss not looking his counterpart in the eyes when they shook hands.
And that means they must now each serve a one-match touchline ban.
