Chelsea handed early setback ahead of Leeds United trip after Antonio Conte altercation

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is facing a one-game touchline ban after being sent off following the conclusion of his side's 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

In a fiery battle at Stamford Bridge, Tuchel and his opposite number Antonio Conte came to blows twice as the London rivals shared the spoils.

Midway through the second half, after Pierre-Emile Højbjerg's equaliser cancelled out Kalidou Koulibaly's thunderous opener, the pair were seen in a war of words in the dugouts.

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Both managers were booked but that did not prevent them coming to blows at the full-time whistle after Harry Kane's late goal earned a point for Spurs.

Tuchel appeared not to let go of Conte's hand as the pair shook hands at the end of the fixture, causing a melee that spilled onto the pitch.

Referee Anthony Taylor dismissed both managers for their role in the spat, meaning the pair will serve a one-match touchline suspension if the decision is held up by the Premier League.

Explaining his actions, Tuchel said afterwards: “Nobody got insulted, nobody got hurt. We didn’t have a fist-fight and something so for me, it’s not a big deal. It was part of it today and it boiled of course, and it heated up but nothing bad and it was part of the game.

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“We both fought both for our teams and it happens. It’s so close here. It was such an intense match and both dugouts are very, very close and so it got a bit heated from both of us.”

COMING TO BLOWS: Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte clash at full time at Stamford Bridge. Picture: Getty Images.COMING TO BLOWS: Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte clash at full time at Stamford Bridge. Picture: Getty Images.
COMING TO BLOWS: Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte clash at full time at Stamford Bridge. Picture: Getty Images.

Tuchel could have been dismissed earlier after he sprinted down the touchline to celebrate Reece James restoring Chelsea's lead. Having already been yellow carded, it is a bookable offence to leave the technical area but Taylor kept his cards in his pocket on that occasion.

Reflecting on that incident on his Instagram, Conte posted: "Lucky I didn't see you...making you trip over would have been well deserved [sic]."

Leeds face Chelsea on Sunday at Elland Road, with both sides on four points from a possible six after their opening two games.

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