Sunday 19th December 2021
Tuchel angry about the league
Wild exchange of blows for Klopp’s Liverpool
The corona virus is causing chaos in the Premier League. Coach Thomas Tuchel prefers not to play with his Chelsea FC, but has to compete – and promptly awards points. His colleague Jürgen Klopp is also not happy with this matchday, even receiving yellow himself. Manchester City is the big winner.
The top clubs Chelsea and Liverpool, which are plagued by numerous corona cases, botched in the English Premier League title race. Chelsea and team manager Thomas Tuchel at Wolverhampton Wanderers couldn’t get past a 0-0, coach Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool played 2-2 (1-1) at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Tuchel team remains in third place with 38 points, but is already six points behind leaders Manchester City. Before the game, the Londoners had asked for a move due to numerous corona cases, which was rejected by the league. “It’s hard to understand. I thought we had a strong argument with the safety and health of the players,” the German coach told the BBC, explaining: “We have requested not to play and to get the situation under control, and that was rejected. ” The former Dortmund and Mainz coach confirmed seven corona cases in his team, including Timo Werner. Tuchel also did without slightly ill Kai Havertz and European champion Jorginho, although tests were negative.
At the game in Wolverhampton there were only four outfield players on the bench. “In the end we have players who play after injuries and we take the risk,” said the 48-year-old. Accordingly, it was difficult for the Blues to get a chance. Former Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic missed the best opportunity for Chelsea in the 77th minute.
City is the winner of the match day
Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool FC did not win at Tottenham Hotspur either. Harry Kane met the hosts in the 13th minute after a two-week Corona break. After the 1-1 draw by Diogo Jota (35th), Andrew Robertson (69th) turned the game for Liverpool. But Heung-Min Son ensured the 2-2 equalizer five minutes later after a mistake by the previously outstanding Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
Goalscorer Robertson saw a red card after a harsh foul in the 78th minute. There were a total of nine yellow cards in the game, including one for Klopp. The Reds had to do without Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Curtis Jones, who had corona.
The big winner of the matchday is Manchester City. The defending champion easily won 4-0 (2-0) at relegation candidate Newcastle United and is now three points ahead of Liverpool. Ruben Dias (5th), Joao Cancelo (27th), Riyad Mahrez (64th) and Raheem Sterling (87th) scored for coach Pep Guardiola’s team.
The highly contagious Omicron variant is spreading rapidly in Great Britain. With almost 90,000 new infections within 24 hours, the corona numbers are at a record level. The highest English league has long been recorded. Of ten games planned on the 18th matchday, only four could be played.