Danny Rose says he did not realise just how much Chelsea hated Tottenham until the infamous ‘battle of the bridge’ in 2016.

Tottenham were chasing Leicester City for the title that season and had already lost a lot of ground to the Foxes heading into the clash at Stamford Bridge, which the Lilywhites had to win to keep the title race alive.

Ahead of the game, a couple of the Chelsea players had said that they were keen to ensure that Spurs would not beat the Foxes to the title (Sky Sports).

What followed was one of the most fiercely contested (and some would say the dirtiest) games of modern times, with players from both sides flying into tackles and with several fights breaking out, including one after the full-time whistle.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 07: Chelsea Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino poses for the photographer after holding a Press Conference at Stamford Bridge on July 07, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Danny Rose can’t believe Pochettino went to Chelsea

Rose has now opened up about his experiences of the game and admitted that he was extremely surprised to see Mauricio Pochettino, who was in the away dugout in that game, take over at Chelsea, given the rivalry between the clubs.

Watch what the former Tottenham man told talkSPORT about the infamous game in 2016:

Spurs Web Opinion

Tottenham had effectively lost the title ahead of that game, owing to their failure to beat West Brom at White Hart Lane in the match before.

The game at Stamford Bridge effectively became about the two sets of players making a point to one another. It is quite unbelievable that there was no red card shown as there could have easily been three or four.

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