Liverpool pair Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota were both sent off in a dramatic game in against Tottenham before a stoppage-time own goal from Joel Matip gave Spurs a dramatic victory.
Jones was given his marching orders in the 26th minute after a foul on Spurs midfielder Yves Bissouma. The 22-year-old was initially shown a yellow card by referee Simon Hooper, but this was later upgraded to red following a VAR check.
Goals from Son Heung-min and Cody Gakpo meant it was 1-1 at the break. Liverpool's task became tougher in the second half, though, as substitute Diogo Jota was sent off for two yellow cards moments apart.
It was backs-against-the-wall stuff for Liverpool, who were given six added minutes to survive after the regulation 90 They almost got there, only for Matip to stick out a leg and send the ball beyond Alisson.
Both of these teams had created and scored plenty in their first six league games, and that showed in the early goings. Spurs keeper Vicario kept his team level with an important double-save, while Postecoglou's team threatened with the speed of their breaks.
The 10 men of Liverpool briefly thought they had the lead, only for Luis Diaz to have strayed narrowly offside before beating Guglielmo Vicario. Moments later they ere behind, though, with intricate build-up from the home side ending up with Richarlison providing Son Heung-min with a tap-in to open the scoring, but Cody Gakpo levelled on the stroke of half-time only to injure himself while doing so.
There might have been a fear that the red card could tame an energeti game, but that wasn't the case. Instead, both teams continued to get forward and make their opponents work, and Richarlison was the width of a post away from doubling Spurs' lead before the break.
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Spurs thought they had the lead again through a near carbon copy of their opener, but Richarlison had strayed offside in the build-up. A second Liverpool red was a further boost to them, though, allowing the London side to push for a late second
Ultimately, though, they needed a helping hand from Liverpool and their defender Matip. Here, Mirror Football looks at the big talking points from a pulsating game between two of the Premier League's most in-form teams.
1. Liverpool's red card woes continue
Jones' red card was the third shown to a Liverpool player in seven Premier League games, but one of those was later rescinded. Alexis Mac Allister avoided a ban after his dismissal against Bournemouth, and some Reds fans may feel Jones deserves a similar reprieve.
Gary Neville certainly felt the midfielder was hard done by. The former Man Utd defender, on co-commentary duties, believed there was no malice in Jones' challenge as his boot skidded off the top of the ball and caught Bissouma.
Liverpool can't have as many complaints about their second red card, though. Jota was already on a booking when a needless lunge left referee Hooper with no option but to give the Portugal forward his marching orders.
2. Vicario showing Spurs made the right call
It can be tough to decide when the right time is to replace a long-serving player, but Tottenham can't be faulted in the goalkeeper department. Hugo Lloris was club captain last season and is technically still on Spurs' books, but Gugliemo Vicario has already established himself as a clear number one.
There were some nervy moments for the Italian on his Premier League debut against Brentford, but he appears to have put those behind him. With the scores level at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Italian came up big to deny first Cody Gakpo and then Andy Robertson.
Spurs fans could be forgiven for still having nightmares over Lloris' late error against Liverpool in 2019, as well as some more recent slip-ups. While Vicario hasn't been perfect this season, he has shown the time was right to make the change.
3. Maddison looking at home
Even before he made his Spurs debut, James Maddison indicated he was at the right club for his qualities. Just seven games into the season, the former Leicester man looks to have been justified in his optimism.
“There’s a little window for me at Tottenham Hotspur, a creative player that they’ve always had, maybe not had in recent years," Maddison said in August. "I could definitely see myself, when making the decision, playing for Tottenham in that kit in that stadium and being the creative player I know I can be.”
The last player to consistently fill that role for Spurs was Christian Eriksen. With his eye-of-the-needle through-ball in the lead-up to Spurs' opener, Maddison evoked the best of the Danish playmaker - not for the first time.
It wasn't the last time, either, with a similar ball looking to have put the hosts back in front shortly before Jota's red. On that occasion, though, an offside flag came to Liverpool's rescue.
4. Postecoglou's Richarlison approach pays off
Spurs forward Richarlison spoke about his plans to speak to a psychologist after being shown in tears during the international break, and manager Postecoglou publicly backed the forward, and the upshot has been an impressive run of form for player and club.
“We'll provide all the support he needs and guide him to be in a place where he's happy about himself," the manager said ahead of Spurs' game against Sheffield United. "But he'll be involved. Absolutely.”
Richarlison added a goal and an assist in that game as Spurs mounted a late comeback, and kept a cool head to lay on Son's opener against Liverpool. He might have only started due to Brennan Johnson's injury, but he was more than ready to seize his opportunity.
5. Gakpo blow comes at bad time
With 11 games to come in October and November, Liverpool will want as many squad members as possible available to Jurgen Klopp. Naturally, they won't have been delighted to see Cody Gakpo go down moments after bringing the Reds level.
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The goal itself was a well-taken one, with the Dutchman beating Vicario for power with his effort on the turn. He was down in pain almost immediately, though, and hopes of a miraculous recovery during the half-time break were dashed when he didn't emerge for the second half.
Jota's red card won't help, with the former Wolves man now out of the next league game. They'll want to wrap their remaining forwards in cotton wool now.
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