Cristian Romero faces a three-match ban after a red card for a dangerous tackle, while two of Spurs’ key performers – James Maddison and Micky van de Ven – were lost to injury, the latter appearing to sustain a significant hamstring tear.

Just 10 minutes into the second half, Tottenham were reduced to nine men when Destiny Udogie was sent off for a second yellow card.

Here, Vodacom Soccer looks at how the madness that unfolded in the absorbing Premier League clash.

13 minutes: Leading 1-0 through Dejan Kulusevski’s sixth-minute deflected goal, unbeaten leaders Tottenham are denied a second via Son Heung-min after VAR ruled the goal offside.

18: Udogie is fortunate to be only shown only a yellow card for a two-footed challenge on Raheem Sterling.

21: Romero escapes punishment for kicking out at Levi Colwill off the ball. However, with play continuing Sterling thinks he has equalised – only for VAR to rule it out for a handball.

28: Chelsea have a goal ruled out for offside by VAR as Nicolas Jackson is adjudged to be interfering when Moises Caicedo drills home from 25 yards. But VAR is not finished and goes back to a Romero challenge seconds before the disallowed goal and the Argentinian’s follow-through on Enzo Fernandez is deemed worthy of a red card and a penalty.

35: After a seven-minute delay for the numerous reviews, Cole Palmer slots home from the spot.

37: Sterling is played through by Fernandez and squares for Jackson to score but he is flagged offside again.

44: With Tottenham temporarily down to nine with Maddison off the field receiving treatment, Van de Ven pulls up as he chases Jackson and has to be replaced by Emerson Royal. To add insult to injury, the Chelsea player is flagged offside.

45+1: Maddison is forced off with a foot injury and is replaced by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

45+10: Pape Sarr and Colwill become embroiled in a shoving match after Jackson fouled the former, resulting in yellow cards for both.

READ MORE: Tottenham's Ange Postecoglou calls for referee respect amid VAR controversy

55: Udogie is sent off for a foul on Sterling with Chelsea on a three-on-two break.

75: Tottenham continue to play a high defensive line despite being down to nine men and eventually pay for it when Sterling breaks and crosses for Jackson to make it 2-1.

79: Eric Dier sidefoots home a volley, only to be flagged offside.

90+4: Jackson converts Conor Gallagher’s cross from 10 yards to make the game safe just seconds after Son missed a chance to equalise.

90+7: Jackson completes an unlikely hat-trick and another break past the high defensive line to make it 4-1.

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Tottenham v Chelsea timeline: How the madness unfolded in Spurs’ 4-1 defeat