Conte’s toupee-rocking eruption was his way of embracing Spurs madness

It was an ending to provoke sympathy towards those who remain unreceptive to football’s charms.

In one corner we had the strutting Manchester City. Champions of England, runaway leaders, a team possessing a multitude of technically-brilliant droids playing under the best manager of his generation.

In the other was Tottenham Hotspur. Defeated by Southampton and Wolves in recent weeks, Spurs seemed to be winning the race with manager Antonio Conte over who would break the other first.

Especially if Conte’s comments to Sky Italia during the week were any indication.

“What happened in January was not easy,” Conte was quoted as saying by Football Italia. “We lost four players in January. Four important players for Tottenham, and we brought in only two.

“So even just in terms of numbers, rather than reinforce the squad, we on paper weakened it… I have realised now that this is the vision of the club.”

Or, in other words, less-than-ideal preparation to face arguably the best team in Europe.

And yet, as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes on a sodden Manchester evening, Spurs were winning 2-1, and deservedly so.

But, it’s still Tottenham. So, when Riyad Mahrez converted a scarcely-warranted penalty to level the scores, precisely nobody was surprised at the latest misfortune to befall the north Londoners.

Many, including the Sky commentators, were bigging up the prospect of a City winner. It seemed inevitable, like the rise of utility bills or Boris Johnson clinging onto his job.

Not this time though.

Dejan Kulusevski scampered down the right flank and dinked an unerring cross onto the head of Harry Kane.

Brilliant all match, playing with the energy of a guy rejected by his long-term crush and determined to demonstrate what she’s