TOTTENHAM suffered an incredible double blow – to peak a nightmare end to the first half against Chelsea.
Star playmaker James Maddison and centre-back Micky van de Ven hobbled off injured in Monday’s dramatic Prem clash.
Spurs‘ blitzing start saw Dejan Kulusevski fire a deflected opener.
But the contest turned on Cristian Romero’s red card for a reckless challenge on 33 minutes – leading to Cole Palmer‘s penalty equaliser.
Then came the misfortune with injuries – topping off an incident-packed first period that needed 12 added minutes.
Maddison went down trying to cross the ball into the box.
And although he got up, and eventually was able to walk off the pitch unaided, Emerson Royal came on to replace him.
Meanwhile, Van de Ven pulled up, clutching his hamstring in apparent agony, as he chased back to cover.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg came on for the Dutchman in a Spurs defence now being stretched.
Those two substitutions, both coming a minute into the extended stoppage time, underlined the fierce nature of a game Spurs needed to win to go top.
But any sympathy that neutrals might feel for Spurs was reduced by that flash-point involving Romero.
The defender flew in on fellow Argentinian Enzo Fernandez.
Romero might feel he got the ball first but it was a dangerous tackle.
