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Chelsea's Marc Cucurella during the 1-0 win against Everton in the Premier League Goodison Park. August 6, 2022.

Watch: Cristian Romero pulls Marc Cucurella’s hair but avoids red card

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was left fuming after Tottenham‘s Cristian Romero got away with pulling Marc Cucurella by his hair.

Cucurella, who was making his Chelsea home debut, set up Kalidou Koulibaly’s opening goal in the 19th minute with a brilliant corner. 

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg then netted a controversial equaliser as Chelsea fans felt that Rodrigo Bentancur fouled Kai Havertz in the build up and Richarlison appeared to be in an offside position.

Hojbjerg’s goal also led to a confrontation between Tuchel and Antonio Conte on the touchline.

The Blues restored their lead in the 77th minute Reece James recieved the ball from Raheem Sterling and fired past Hugo Lloris.

Conte’s side had a series of corners in the closing stages and Romero decided to pull Cucurella to the ground by grabbing his hair. While VAR looked at the incident, they ultimately decided to take no further action against the centre-back. 

After the referee allowed play to restart, Ivan Perisic whipped in a corner and Harry Kane headed home to make it 2-2.

“We were absolutely brilliant,” Tuchel told Sky Sports after the game. “Sorry I have to say but both goals cannot stand, absolutely cannot stand, there’s only one team that deserves to win, that’s us, we were absolutely brilliant. I’m sorry for my team that they don’t get what they deserve.

“First of all it’s a clear foul on Kai Havertz in the build up, a clear foul. We had one tactical foul from Reece James that got a straight yellow, I don’t know how many tactical fouls Hojberg and Bentancur did today, nothing happened.

“Clear foul on Havertz, the situation goes on and on, then it’s a clear offside from Richarlison. He’s in the line of the shot, he even goes to the ball, he does not touch the ball but Edou cannot see the ball. They check it, it’s a clear offside.

“And since when can we pull hair on a football field? We check it and nothing happens. We don’t need to check anymore, it’s ridiculous.

“That’s the only frustration. I’m the happiest coach on earth because we played a fantastic match, we were absolutely brilliant, dominated 90 minutes. Sharp, hungry in all areas of the pitch disciplined and so full of quality. top, top, top performance and I’m sorry for my players.”


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