The managers of Tottenham and Brighton, Cristian Stellini and Roberto De Zerbi, were both sent off during their sides' clash in north London, after squaring up to one another on the touchline.

The two coaches and their staff were caught up in a pitch side tussle before referee Stuart Attwell handed them both red cards and sent them down the tunnel at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Stellini kept his distance from the main fray and was aggrieved to receive a card, but Attwell stood firm in his decision.

Before the match, the managers shook hands but their greetings quickly soured as pictures showed De Zerbi pointing his finger at Stellini and the Spurs manager growing increasingly angry with what his counterpart had to say.

The Italian managers have met before as players, clashing on the pitch during the 2008-09 Serie B season during their respective spells with Bari and Avellino.

But rumors of lingering bad blood between the pair were discussed by Jeff Stelling on Soccer Saturday.

Stelling explained that the Spurs manager is said to believe that 'De Zerbi simply benefitted from Graham Potter's great work at Brighton.'

Speaking ahead of the match, however, Stellini acknowledged that De Zerbi was an 'aggressive' character, but praised his success this season with Brighton.

'He improved a lot. He has a great personality like a manager and he arrived here in a new country and quickly he put his sign on his team.

'That is not easy for everyone and De Zerbi show also in England, in the Premier League he is a great manager.

'For sure his results were every time good. He gave his team good characteristics. He's very strong in the way he wants to play.'..