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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jonathan Gorrie

Cristian Romero celebrates in Reece James’ face as Tottenham snatch fiery draw from Chelsea

Cristian Romero played a major role in Tottenham’s thrilling 2-2 draw with rivals Chelsea.

The Argentine has become a fan favourite in north London, emerging as one of the best defenders in the Premier League and was involved in a number of flashpoints throughout the game.

Locked in a running battle with Kai Havertz during a fiery contest to have seen Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel clash both before and after the full-time whistle, Romero also appeared to pull Marc Cucurella by the hair before Harry Kane’s last-gasp equaliser.

Tuchel has since raged about the decision to allow a second corner after Romero’s foul, with that directly leading to Kane’s goal and depriving Chelsea of three points and the fallout has continued.

Fresh from pulling Cucurella’s hair, an alternative angle has shown the extent to which the Argentina international went to celebrate Kane’s header.

Marked by Reece James for the corner, Romero is seen celebrating in the England international’s face, in scenes reminiscent of his antics at Old Trafford last season, where he did something similar to Harry Maguire after the Manchester United defender had scored an own goal.

Asked during a post-match interview whether or his players were now showing the same kind of passion Conte has become famous for, the Italian said: “Yeah, but you have to show every time passion because the result can be positive or negative but I think the passion is very important.

“In every job that people do. You have to love your job, you have to love your work and to show the passion.

“If the people understand this and the fans see this it’s good, it’s good. And you can take big achievement if you have big passion in your job. “

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