Hojbjerg admits Tottenham Hotspur were ‘too emotional’ vs Chelsea

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has admitted that Tottenham Hotspur were “too emotional” against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as they “lost control” of the game.

The midfielder netted Tottenham’s first equaliser on Sunday afternoon. This goal sparked a touchline melee between Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel.

Further drama ensued following the final whistle as Harry Kane made it 2-2 in stoppage time. These goals cancelled out finished from Kalidou Koulibaly and Reece James.

The battle against Spursiness is Conte’s biggest yet – and as usual he’s winning

Chelsea won three meetings in January alone to leave Conte to reflect at the time on the big gap between the clubs but Spurs have made eight signings across two transfer windows – six this summer – and, while they were not at their best at Stamford Bridge, they still left with a share of the spoils.

“If you want to be a top, top team, you have to have two players that can contribute in every position,” Hojbjerg said.

“It makes everyone stay on their toes and it’s important to keep a good mentality, know that it’s going up and down through the season, but everyone must always try to give their best to the team.

“It’s up to the manager to pick the players for each game in terms of details, the physical aspect, the emotional and technical aspect, you know? And yeah, I think we’re in a good way but, sorry without being too pessimistic, it’s difficult for me to celebrate a draw.

“But if you don’t win, they don’t win. This is something we take with us and the way we came back I thought was fantastic. Then to give the fans something to celebrate is sweet for the heart.”

Tottenham’s improved strength in depth was evident in west London with Richarlison introduced before the hour mark in a move which saw the visitors switch to a 4-2-4 formation.

It contributed towards Hojbjerg’s leveller with Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski winning the ball back inside Chelsea’s area but the hosts went back in front with 13 minutes left when James fired home after an overload situation was created on Spurs’ left-hand side.

Conte reacted by bringing on summer signings Yves Bissouma and Ivan Perisic, the latter slotting into a wing-back role and it was his corner which saw Kane nod home in the 95th-minute.

Ex-Chelsea manager Conte celebrated wildly, having done the same for Tottenham’s first goal, and would see red along with Tuchel after a hand shake between the passionate duo…