Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi was left fuming after defender Kevin Danso was sent off just three minutes after being substituted on in the Sydney Super Cup against Chelsea.
The London clubs faced off at the Accor Stadium on Saturday, with Xabi Alonso fielding several first-team players such as Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Wesley Fofana, as well as a combination of youngsters, including new right-back Marco Palestra.
Meanwhile, De Zerbi named a strong starting XI, with summer recruits Andrew Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali starting the friendly.
And it was the Italian who opened the scoring on 17 minutes with a smart strike from outside the penalty area to register his first goal since completing a £100 million move from Newcastle United.
But it took just four minutes for Chelsea to level things, with Estevao nodding past Antonín Kinský at the back post.
At half-time, De Zerbi and Alonso made changes. Danso and Richarlison replaced Van Hecke and Solanke, while Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli replaced Romeo Lavia for Chelsea.
However, Danso’s evening lasted just three minutes as he was sent off for a challenge on Pedro.
The 27-year-old Austria international failed to control the ball as the Brazilian sprinted past him, with the defender dragging the forward down before receiving his marching orders.
Footage from Paramount+ Australia quickly cut to De Zerbi, who sat back in his seat, appearing annoyed by his player’s mistake.
Alonso made eight more changes with 10 minutes to go, with Josh Acheampong, Liam Delap, Reggie Walsh, Omari Kellyman, Tosin Adarabioyo, Reggie Watson and Mamadou Sarr introduced, while Levi Colwill, Palestra, Dario Essugo, Palmer, Jamie Gittens, Fofana and Pedro were withdrawn.
De Zerbi also made two further changes, with Kota Takai and Jamie Donley replacing Ben Davies and Tonali.
Richarlison’s stoppage time strike secured Spurs’ 2-1 win with almost the last kick off the game.
