Moises Caicedo and Kulusevski both could've easily seen red in separate incidents, but the VAR opted not to overturn the on-field decision. Caicedo then won a penalty which Cole Palmer converted to bring the visitors level to promise a fascinating finale to the London derby.
And with a quarter of the game to go, Enzo Fernandez fired home from 18 yards to put the Blues in front for the first time. Palmer got his second from the spot late on after being fouled by Sarr.
Express Sport takes a deep dive into the Blues' performances with Chelsea player ratings.
Robert Sanchez 5
Only the Spaniard will know why he dived out of his goal to give Solanke an open goal to finish into. He was also found wanting after Kulusevski's clever reverse finish beat him at his near post.
Moises Caicedo 6
Back in the inverted role he excelled in against Aston Villa, the Ecuadorian didn't look entirely comfortable under the Spurs high press. Very lucky not to see red for his lunge on Sarr, which VAR deemed not to be worth a red. To rub salt in the wound, he won the penalty with a surging run.
Levi Colwill 6
Failed to keep Solanke goal-side for the opener and never recovered from there, leaving too much space for Spurs' attackers to float in and around the box. Kept it tight in the second half.
Benoit Badiashile 5
Caught out by Son Heung-min on a number of occasions and the Frenchman didn't paint himself in glory for the second goal either.
Marc Cucurella 4
Romeo Lavia 5
Lost the ball in his own half three times in the space of two minutes between the first and second goals. The Belgian also struggled to get out to close down Kulusevski for the second goal. Booked and hooked at the break.
Enzo Fernandez 9
The Argentinian has been in devastating form recently and he continued that here, driving his team forward and pulling the strings in midfield. His footwork for the winner was outstanding and later in the move, he fired beyond Forster. A statement performance from the Argentinian. Booked for his celebration, but he won't care.
Cole Palmer 9
A really sloppy first-half display from the 22-year-old, who misplaced passes in crucial areas of the pitch and somehow failed to find the target with an air-shot from six yards out. But he reacted well and was unlucky to be denied by a fine Forster save. When his moment came from the spot, he never looked like missing and his panenka was simply filthy.
Pedro Neto 7
Showed glimpses of his ability from the right flank and caused Udogie some problems with his runs inside. Almost sneaked an effort inside Forster's near post. Booked.
Jadon Sancho 8
What a stunning goal from the winger, who clearly has so much ability when he wants to use it. Cutting in from the left flank, he breezed past Pedro Porro and a few more defenders before firing a daisy-cutter into the bottom corner from 20 yards. Now scored in back-to-back Premier League games, then played a role in winning the penalty. His improvement from his Manchester United days has been remarkable.
Nicolas Jackson 6
Scored a hat-trick at this ground last year, but the Senegalese didn't have as much joy this time around. While he saw a lot of the ball in the first half, Jackson squandered number of promising opportunities on the break. Taken off late on.
Substitutes
Malo Gusto (on 46') 6
His introduction allowed Caicedo to move back into midfield and the Frenchman endured a busy half marking Son and getting forward at will.
Christopher Nkunku (on 76') 6
Didn't get much of a touch up front as Palmer and Fernandez scored late on.
Noni Madueke (on 86') N/A
Renato Veiga (on 90') N/A
Joao Felix (on 90') N/A