X reacts as Liverpool see Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota sent off at Tottenham
- Jones' yellow card for a foul on Yves Bissouma was upgraded to a red on VAR intervention
- Son Heung-min put Spurs ahead before Cody Gakpo equalised before half-time
- Diogo Jota collected two yellow cards in as many minutes in the second half
By 90min Staff
Tottenham's recent run of results against Liverpool is the stuff of cursed legend.
Spurs have suffered Champions League final heartbreak, Jose Mourinho embarrassment and last-minute despair at the hands of the Reds. The two sides squared off on Saturday night and it provided a night where all vital decisions seemed to swing the home side's way.
The game promised to be an entertaining affair boasting football from managers Ange Postecoglou and Jurgen Klopp and the first half ended level despite a few calls going Tottenham's way.
Curtis Jones slipped over the top of the ball and caught Yves Bissouma flush on the ankle, having his yellow card upgraded to a red after VAR intervention midway through the first half.
Curtis Jones sees red after this challenge on Yves Bissouma, correct decision? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/MeY6tPDrYO
— 90min (@90min_Football) September 30, 2023
That's a red, Curtis Jones can't argue, VAR intervention, serious foul play, over the top on Bissouma. Challenge shown on the big screen, clubs doing it more, but stokes anger. Confirmed why Jones had to go. #TOTLIV
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) September 30, 2023
Gary Neville trying to argue that intention matters. It doesn't. No one believes Curtis Jones wanted to hurt Bissouma but after going over the ball, his entire weight (via his studs) goes onto Yves' leg. It was a potential leg-breaker. #TOTLIV
— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) September 30, 2023
The player advantage unsurprisingly worked to Tottenham's favour as they took the lead around ten minutes after the incident.
Richarlison raced in behind and squared to the free Son Heung-min who prodded Tottenham ahead on the scoresheet.
Son Heung Min, he is currently the best player in the world.
— B. (@InvertTheWing) September 30, 2023
Liverpool's player deficit didn't look like it was being aided by Cody Gakpo, the Dutchman limping towards the interval, but instead he drew the away side level with a brilliant finish. Gakpo collected Virgil van Dijk's header across the box, swivelled and powered a strike that Guglielmo Vicario could only get fingertips to.
Diogo Jota coming on for Liverpool Cody Gakpo was struggling badly after scoring his goal and he has gone off.
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) September 30, 2023
Liverpool still looked threatening at the start of the second half as they tried to catch Tottenham on the counter, but their job got a lot harder thanks to the misadventures of substitute Diogo Jota.
The Portugal international replaced the injured Gakpo at half time but collected two bookings in as many minutes midway through the second period to leave Liverpool with only nine players.
Liverpool are now down to NINE men after Diogo Jota saw red! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Jdo0HsXsLg
— 90min (@90min_Football) September 30, 2023
Liverpool down to 9 men, Jota shown two yellow cards for fouls on Udogie in quick succession. Klopp's post-match presser should be lively
— Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) September 30, 2023
The visitors were admirable in defence despite missing two players for most of the second half. A switch to three central defenders helped Jurgen Klopp's side limit the space available to Tottenham in the box.
However, the incessant home pressure eventually told when Pedro Porro's cross was diverted into his own net by Joel Matip.
The win takes Tottenham above Liverpool and into second, a point behind Manchester City who were surprisingly beaten away at Wolves earlier on Saturday. They are also level on points with north London rivals Arsenal.
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