Recap as Spurs’ late goal beat their London rivals 2-1 in the Sydney Super Cup.
Chelsea 1-2 Tottenham — Reaction
Tottenham Hotspur beat London rivals Chelsea 2-1 in a dramatic pre-season friendly in Sydney, Australia today.
Sandro Tonali scored first for Spurs, sweeping in from the edge of the box via a deflection, before Estevao nodded home Jamie Gittens’ cross to equalise before half-time.
Kevin Danso, brought on at the break, was sent off four minutes into the second half after dragging down Joao Pedro as the striker, set to sign a new deal, raced through on goal.
Antonin Kinsky denied Estevao and Joao Pedro superbly as Spurs dug in, before Richarlison tapped in the winner for the 10 men in added time after Jamie Donley hit the post.
Join the conversation or email us with reaction: live@theathletic.com
Chelsea 1 Tottenham 2 – The Briefing
How did Spurs look with eleven men?
Is Chelsea winger Estevao already back…?
How is Sandro Tonali settling in at Spurs?
Is Joao Pedro still Chelsea’s main man up front?
The Athletic’s Simon Johnson and Elias Burke assess the action from Accor Stadium, below.
GO FURTHER
Chelsea 1 Tottenham 2 – Spurs overcome rare friendly red card to win in Sydney
And next up for Chelsea?
After leaving Sydney, Australia, Chelsea’s next pre-season matches are across Asia.
On Wednesday they tackle Italian giants Juventus in Hong Kong. They then play Milan in Indonesia, and Johor Darul Ta'zim in Malaysia on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Their return to the UK follows, where they will face Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on August 15.
That’s around a week before their first Premier League match of the 2026-27 campaign against west London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage on August 24.
What’s next for Tottenham?
Tottenham’s pre-season continues with a match against Spanish side Getafe a week today at their training ground.
The following weekend sees two more friendlies in back-to-back days against German team Hoffenheim.
Their Premier League opener is at Brentford on August 22.
De Zerbi ready to work on ‘everything’
Here is some of what Roberto De Zerbi had to about that friendly win tonight for Tottenham — and how much he is looking forward to what comes next after leaving Australia.
💬 “Very happy, especially for the first half because we played very well. The red card was no good for us, but also (not) for Chelsea because with the condition of the pitch, all players behind the line of the ball, it was tough for them.
“We won a good game, a good test. I’m sorry because in the second half, we didn’t play like we are working for (because of) a stupid red card for a friendly game. OK, red card but maybe a substitution because it’s not important, the result today.
“Now I look forward to working with Senesi, Bentancur, Pape Sarr, with Kudus — and then we have to complete the transfer market, we have to increase the physical condition, we have to improve the quality of the play. Everything.”
Patient Alonso coy on signings
Despite the gifts, jokes and humour, it’s pretty clear Xabi Alonso is disappointed with how tonight played out. Here are the key bits from his chat to Paramount+.
💬 “It was a really competitive game, for sure. Second half was really tight, after the red card we had a few very good chances to score. We missed them and at the end, very silly to concede that late goal, but that has been a good test for everyone.
“We are still missing a few important players. They will play an important role, but it’s good that the ones we are working with, a few of the things with the ball, against the ball, how to do it, at the end with the young ones … it’s a process and we are still early days.”
And more signings for him when he arrives in Hong Kong next? Alonso doesn’t want to answer that one! He simply laughs:
💬 “Time will tell.”
Red card or substitution?
Roberto De Zerbi also suggests that rather than a red card being dished out, Kevin Danso should have been substituted so both sides could’ve continued to work through what they were trying to do with XI men.
After all, it is only a friendly and pre-season preparations. De Zerbi adds that the red card wasn’t good news for Chelsea, as well as his Spurs side.
Makes you think, doesn’t it. If the referee had come over at the time, would Xabi Alonso have agreed to that? I doubt it.
Yeah, but what about the pitch!
Roberto De Zerbi also speaking to Paramount+ and asked about how much he’s enjoyed his time in Australia — which is a lot, and he wants to come back.
But he makes the final point that the quality of the pitch was borderline disrespectful for two Premier League teams.
That has left a rather awkward feeling to it all.
Gifts for Alonso
Xabi Alonso just carrying out his post-match duties with Australian broadcaster Paramount+ here — we will have his quotes shortly.
But more importantly, they’ve just handed the Chelsea boss a present of TimTams (think the best chocolate biscuits in the world in my humble opinion) and a jar of Vegemite (like Marmite, but with an even more distinctive taste).
Both are an Australian delicacy, of sorts. And in fairness to Alonso, he makes sure he actually leaves the interview with his gifts.
He says he’s never sampled either before, so he is in for quite the treat.
He is also warned not to have them together, which avoids him having another sickening experience tonight.
Kinsky proud of Spurs effort
What a night for Antonin Kinsky, whose rehabilitation into a reliable, elite goalkeeper is looking pretty good right now.
There were some super saves tonight — especially in that second half — and this is what he had to say about it all on the pitch to Paramount+ following the final whistle.
💬 “I have to say, it’s great because if you see these 80,000 people, to make something like this … it’s preseason and the league will come, but yeah, it’s a game against Chelsea.
“We want to win everything. Today was tough for us because the second half we played one man less, but we showed a good mentality. We were hungry. We were active. We didn’t want just to defend. We were still playing.
“Big appreciation for the boys because it was difficult. We are after a tour here in Australia, which was great but exhausting because of all the travel. So we are very happy for this result.”
Joao Pedro set to sign new Chelsea contract
Some breaking news on The Athletic ... Chelsea forward Joao Pedro is in line to be rewarded with a new contract.
The 24-year-old forward joined Chelsea from Brighton 12 months ago for a deal in excess of £50million and signed a seven-year contract that runs until 2032.
The Brazil international is now set to be rewarded with extended terms, according to sources briefed on the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships.
The Athletic reported in June that Joao Pedro had been highlighted as a player Barcelona liked. Chelsea have been aware of interest from other clubs, and have made him one of their players they consider not for sale this summer.
Joao Pedro scored 23 goals and provided nine assists in 53 appearances during his debut season at Chelsea, establishing himself as the club’s first-choice striker‚ albeit he then missed out on a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad.
GO FURTHER
Joao Pedro set to sign new Chelsea contract
I know that didn’t end very well for Chelsea — but there was some good news that broke back in the UK during that second half …
Timing is everything
Xabi Alonso becomes a rare breed as Chelsea manager — by losing a game to Tottenham.
But if you are going to do so, better it be a pre-season friendly in Sydney when it does not matter.
A clear worry for Chelsea
On the flip side of that, Chelsea’s defensive frailties have been there for all to see so far in pre-season — and again, I really don’t know how they’ve lost that.
Right now, the way they’re playing really doesn’t seem to be secure enough.
Still plenty of time for Xabi Alonso to work on that, but he definitely will need to work on it with his new team.
Scenes in Sydney!
FULL TIME: All over, Spurs win!
FT: Chelsea 1-1 Tottenham
And that’s the final whistle. Tottenham win it and we are saved from the shootout drama.
What a finish!
How Richarlison surely won it!
Jamie Donley dribbles forward, then dribbles a shot that comes back off the inside of the post, and there is Richarlison to side-foot into the empty net.
What a moment!
GOAL: SPURS WIN IT!
GOOOAAAAALLLLLL! Richarlison didn’t want penalties! He’s scored the winner, surely!
Kyerematen limps out
Ah, this is a shame. Rio Kyerematen is down and it looks like he’s coming off already. Tyler Tingey, just 17, is coming on in his place.
We could have a few young penalty takers here tonight.
One added minute to come.