Gallagher shares what he heard VAR say about Fulham v Tottenham controversy
Dermot Gallagher believes that Tottenham were unlucky after controversy emerged in their 2-0 loss to Fulham on Sunday.
Scrutiny has increased on Ange Postecoglou after the result at Craven Cottage (16 March) which was Spurs’ 15th Premier League defeat this season.
They still have a chance to win a trophy and end a 17-year drought with the Europa League but it has been a dismal season domestically.
Postecoglou has had no luck this campaign and it seems like his side were on the wrong end of fortuitous circumstances once again against Marco Silva’s side.
Dermot Gallagher makes Tottenham penalty claim
Late in the contest with the game at 1-0 to the hosts, Lucas Bergvall was brought down by Calvin Bassey in the penalty area.
However, VAR did not give a penalty, judging the Fulham man to have got the ball rather than fouling the Swedish international.
Gallagher disagreed with the decision, speaking on Sky Sports (17 March, 11:12 am), he said: “When I saw the first angle, I didn’t think it was a penalty. I thought Bergvall had gone into the back of Bassey.
“But when I look at the second angle, Bassey is extremely lucky. Bergvall gets the ball, Bassey doesn’t. You have to get the ball in that situation. On the second angle, I do think it’s a penalty.
“I heard the VAR, they felt Bergvall had gone into the back of Bassey, but Bergvall got the ball.”
Postecoglou cannot catch a break at Tottenham
When results are not going your way, the last thing that a manager needs is a contentious penalty decision not going in your favour in a close match, that his side then went on to lose.
However, that is exactly what has happened to Postecoglou on this occasion, as it seems like he cannot catch a break in the Premier League lately.
| Premier League | Played | GD | Points |
| 13. Man United | 29 | -3 | 37 |
| 14. Tottenham | 29 | +12 | 34 |
| 15. Everton | 29 | -4 | 34 |
The Lilywhites sit in 14th place after a truly horrible season, which has left the 59-year-old in a very precarious position and Daniel Levy could decide to end his misery sooner rather than later.
The Australian has had to deal with a brutal injury crisis, some of which is his own making due to his intense training methods and style of play but the position that Spurs find themselves in is not good enough, regardless of who has been missing.
If the former Celtic man cannot mastermind success in the Europa League, it will surely be the end of his reign in North London and he will rue his luck and decisions that went against his side, like this one.