There was little indication this was a friendly in the opening exchanges, with neither side holding back and several strong challenges made.

The deadlock was broken in the 17th minute when Sandro Tonali found the net with a deflected effort from the edge of the penalty area. But Alonso's side responded quickly as Estevao Willian escaped the attention of Andrew Robertson to head home at the back post.

An early second-half red card for Tottenham defender Kevin Danso changed the complexion of the game, with the Blues dominating the contest and creating several chances. Yet we were consistently denied by Antonin Kinsky in the Spurs goal.

And, having made several late changes, we were caught out in the final minute as Richarlison stabbed home from close range to win the game for Tottenham.

A rivalry renewed

The starting XI named by Alonso was one of experience. Teddy Sharman-Lowe began in goal; the back four consisted of Marco Palestra, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, who captained the Blues, and Jorrel Hato; Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo were in midfield; Estevao, Cole Palmer, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro started in attack.

Given the history and rivalry between the two sides, it was no surprise there was a genuine edge to the contest. Tackles not ordinarily seen in pre-season were made, one of which led to a yellow card for former Blue Conor Gallagher after just ten minutes.

Chances proved harder to carve out, with both teams dropping into their respective defence shapes when the other had possession. An early header glanced wide was the best either side offered in the opening exchanges.

Quick-fire goals

However, the deadlock was broken in the 17th minute. There was an element of fortune to the Tottenham goal, as a Tonali strike from the edge of the penalty area struck Colwill, wrong-footed Sharman-Lowe, and ended in the Chelsea net.

Alonso would have wanted a response from his side. It came quickly.

Good work from Lavia enabled him to progress the ball upfield to Gittens, and the Blues winger produced a cross that looped off Ben Davies to the back post. Estevao escaped the attention of Robertson to head home for his first goal of pre-season.

As the half progressed, Tottenham took control of possession. Yet the Blues defended well, with Sharman-Lowe's goal well protected.

Joao Pedro, again impressive, was our biggest threat and he was unfortunate to skew an opportunity wide while under pressure from inside the Spurs penalty area.

The final opportunity of the opening period was fashioned by Mathys Tel, who drove beyond three challenges and looked to beat Sharman-Lowe at his near post. But the Blues goalkeeper reacted well to save and the sides went in level at the break.

Unexpected red

One change was made by Alonso at half time: Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuili replaced Lavia. Tottenham made two, one of which was the introduction of Danso. The defender lasted four minutes.

There was little pressure when Archie Gray played a pass to the centre-back, but he let the ball run through his legs and Joao Pedro reacted quickly to break clear. The Blues' No.20 was brought down; it was a clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

Few expected a dismissal given this was a pre-season game. However, referee Alex King went to his pocket and pulled out a red card. Danso was off.

Pushing for a winner

Palmer whipped the resultant free-kick narrowly wide, but the pattern of the second half was set. Chelsea attacked, Tottenham defended, and Kinsky denied the Blues with a string of fine saves.

The first was an excellent reaction stop to deny Estevao, who drilled a shot goalward after good work from Joao Pedro. Colwill then sliced the rebound over.

Our Brazilian winger was thwarted again minutes later. After the Blues reclaimed the ball in Tottenham's defensive third, Nicoll-Jazuli slipped Estevao in on goal, but Kinsky saved his low attempt.

Palmer was next to be left frustrated – he had a shot from inside the penalty area blocked – and Kinsky again came to Tottenham's rescue, saving a close-range effort from Joao Pedro after an attempted back pass from Robertson.

With ten minutes to play, Alonso made a raft of changes. Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Mamadou Sarr, Reggie Watson, Reggie Walsh, Omari Kellyman and Liam Delap were all introduced, and added to the entrances of Aaron Anselmino and Dastan Satpayev earlier in the half.

Tottenham's threat was minimal in the second period, but they did almost fashion a winner as a run forward from Spurs full-back Rio Kyerematen ended with the 21-year-old curling a shot against the crossbar.

There did prove to be a late sting for the Blues, though. As the game entered its final seconds, Jamie Donley struck the post for Spurs and Richarlison reacted quickest to poke home and seal victory.

What comes next...

It's on to Hong Kong for the Blues as we face Serie A side Juventus at Kai Tak Sports Park. General admission tickets and Club Chelsea’s VIP passes are available to buy now, so don't miss out!

The teams

Chelsea: Sharman-Lowe; Palestra (Acheampong 80), Fofana (Tosin 80), Colwill (Sarr 80), Hato (Anselmino 62); Essugo (Watson 80), Lavia (Nicoll-Jazuli 46); Estevao (Satpayev 69), Palmer (Walsh 80), Gittens (Kellyman 80); Joao Pedro (Delap 80)
Chelsea substitutes: Curd, Subuloye, Emenalo, Kavuma-McQueen
Goalscorers: Estevao 21

Tottenham Hotspur: Kinsky; Gray, van Hecke (Danso 46), Davies (Takai 81), Robertson (Kyerematen 72); Bergvall (Hall 72), Tonali (Donley 82), Gallagher (Hardy 54); Solomon (Moore 67), Solanke (Richarlison 46), Tel (Williams-Barnett 76
Tottenham Hotspur substitutes: Dubravka, Hall, Russell-Denny, Ajayi, Melia, Byrne, Tingey, Scarlett, Min-Hyeok
Goalscorers: Tonali 17, Richarlison 90+1
Booked: Gallagher 10
Sent off: Danso 49

Attendance: 80,363