Premier League make official statement on Tottenham v Newcastle controversy
The Premier League have released an official statement after Newcastle United scored a controversial first-half goal against Tottenham on Saturday.
Ange Postecoglou was forced to name a weakened team for the Premier League clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday (4 January). This didn’t seem to matter much in the early stages as Dominic Solanke put the home side ahead after just three minutes.
However, the Spurs fragilities were quickly exposed as Newcastle equalised just a matter of minutes later through Anthony Gordon, the Englishman once again causing Postecoglou’s side problems, although the goal wasn’t without a bit of controversy, as the ball appeared to strike Joelinton on the arm in the build-up.
As per a statement released via PLMatchCentre on X (4 January), “The referee’s call of goal was confirmed by VAR, who checked for a potential handball by Joelinton in the build-up and deemed that his arm was by his side, in a natural position and the contact was accidental.”
Tottenham will feel hard done by after controversy v Newcastle
When it rains, it pours in North London.
With all the injury issues the club are being forced to contend with, which has caused plenty of frustration, nobody gave Spurs a chance before kick-off against Newcastle, with calls even being made for the game to be forfeited.
However, against the odds, Spurs took the lead.
As a result, Postecoglou would have no doubt been delighted. However, the lead didn’t last long, although it wouldn’t be hard to blame any Spurs fans for feeling aggrieved about the nature of the equalising goal, despite Mike Dean disgareeing with any calls for the gall to be chalked off.
The handball rule appears to be confusing many, and it is hard to know what is allowed and what is not in the modern game.
However, with the way things are going, Postecoglou is unlikely to be surprised that this decision has gone aginst his side, who now have work to do in the second half after Alexander Isak put the Magpies ahead.
In other Tottenham news, Mike Dean has commented on a controversial moment against Newcastle United.
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