Keith Hackett stunned by James Maddison controversy in Tottenham win
James Maddison thankfully escaped serious damage as Tottenham battled to a sensational win at Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday evening.
The England international was clattered by goalkeeper Kauã Santos, but VAR needed to step in to award a penalty, which was converted by Dominic Solanke.
Ange Postecoglou will have been fearing the sack in Germany, but a 1-0 win secured a 2-1 aggregate victory to reach the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Maddison controversy somehow missed
After the officials somehow missed the collision, VAR stepped in to finally reach the right call.
Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, could not believe that it took multiple replays to reach the decision, with the foul play clear.
The ex-FIFA referee admits it was a simple call that should have only taken one look.
“That was really an easy decision, and difficult to understand why the referee required VAR to intervene,” Hackett said.
“One look was sufficient to recognise the foul play by the goalkeeper.”
Postecoglou rescues Tottenham job in Germany
Wow, this was everything that Tottenham have failed to show all season.
Despite having their backs against the wall at certain points, the squad stood up and was counted, with that passion likely enough to save Postecoglou and get some people back on side.
With a favourable semi-final match-up too, the North Londoners will have their eyes on the final in Bilbao, which would be huge and a win there would secure Champions League football.
Hackett was right, though, how on earth UEFA officials, who are meant to be the best around, missed this in real time is beyond a joke.
| Eintracht Frankfurt | Tottenham |
| Maddison fouled – 41 | |
| Solanke penalty – 43 |
Maddison was forced off minutes after the collision, and thankfully, Solanke picked up the ball and slotted home, with Son Heung-min also injured.
With the Premier League finished, the only hope is not to finish 17th, which would somehow make an already shocking domestic season even more embarrassing.
Now, all eyes are on the Europa League, it’s time for Postecoglou to live up to his promise of silverware.