Premier League put out statement to clear up controversial scenes in Tottenham vs Newcastle
The officials were once again at the centre of a Tottenham clash, as Spurs were handed a lifeline in the first half against Newcastle.
Ex-Arsenal man Joe Willock thought he had found the opener for Newcastle in the 44th minute, before an extremely tight offside would keep the scores level at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Malick Thiaw would open the scoring on the stroke of half-time for the visitors, before Archie Gray’s second-half equaliser was cancelled out by a Jacob Ramsey effort – seeing Newcastle beat Tottenham 2-1.
Tottenham remain winless in eight Premier League outings, leaving Thomas Frank’s side languishing above the bottom three.
Following the disallowed Willock opener, the Premier League offered an explanation on the tight decision.
Premier League offer insight on disallowed Joe Willock goal vs Tottenham
As is often the case in the modern Premier League, VAR was at the heart of proceedings once again in North London, with Joe Willock’s 44th-minute opener disallowed.
Showing the footage from the automated offside technology, the Premier League said via its Match Centre account on X: “VAR checked the referee’s call of goal – and established that Willock was in an offside position and recommended that the goal was disallowed.”
Though, not even a VAR lifeline could help Spurs, as they fell to yet another defeat under Frank.
- Read more: Julian Warren amazed at what Mike Dean told him about Tottenham vs Newcastle controversy – ‘Wow’
VAR lifeline couldn’t save Tottenham as rotten run continues
It goes without saying that the campaign has been a dismal one for Tottenham.
Following Tottenham’s Europa League triumph under Ange Postecoglou last term, the current season was supposed to be one of progression for the Lilywhites.
That has been far from the case, with Tottenham completely misfiring.
Even against an out-of-form Newcastle side, Spurs were well under par. And after being on the wrong side of a decision at the weekend, with Cristian Romero’s red card against Manchester United, they failed to capitalise after being handed a lifeline this time out.