Plenty to enjoy in Southampton’s 3-2 victory at Tottenham on Wednesday night: goals galore, pouring rain and the essence of modern football excitement, late Var controversy.
A less fun evening for Tottenham and especially Antonio Conte, who unspooled somewhat on the touchline as the game got away from his team.
Conte pitches up at matches looking impeccable and desperate to make this the night, finally, when he doesn’t lose his temper.
If the match can progress serenely and he can just remember his breathing techniques, perhaps this will be the first time he can go 90 minutes without ever looking like Michael Douglas in Falling Down after finding out the burger restaurant had stopped serving breakfast.
Inevitably Conte’s ruse of calmness does not last long but Wednesday night’s was a particularly fine meltdown which fell into nine clear stages.
Let us explore them.
