Tottenham v Newcastle controversy: Richards reacts to new MOTD angle of incident
Dejan Kulusevski could well have conceded a penalty for what he did in Tottenham Hotspur’s loss to Newcastle United on Saturday, Micah Richards has said.
Speaking on Match of the Day (4 January), Richards and Gary Lineker debated the Swede’s accidental collision with Anthony Gordon in the box, which saw Kulusevski clip the winger’s chin with his shoulder.
While Lineker acknowledged that Kulusevski did get a touch on the ball simultaneously with the challenge, Richards felt a spot-kick could indeed have gone against Spurs given the impact on Gordon.
Lineker said: “This is the other way, and that one is… oof – that was in the box.”
Richards replied: “That could have been given, because he was bleeding after this as well. Kulusevski, I know it’s accidental…”
“He did touch the ball, fractionally”, Lineker added.
Richards responded: “But he does get him. It could be given, that.”
Postecoglou complaints unfounded after Tottenham controversies
Having complained incessantly post-match that his side didn’t get the rub of the green against Newcastle, Kulusevski’s challenge on Gordon is a clear example of football being a game of fine margins.
The Australian did have worthy claims to be upset about given the nature of the Magpies’ early equaliser and Dan Burn not being shown a second yellow card, but other decisions clearly went in their favour.
Had Kulusevski been penalised for that clash with Gordon, neither he nor Postecoglou could have had many complaints, with the contact as accidental as Joelinton’s handball in the build-up to the equaliser.
Spurs could therefore have conceded an equalier, or gone behind in the second had had a spot-kick been given Newcastle’s way, leaving Postecoglou starring down the barrel of another defeat regardless.
Postecoglou has plenty to work on after a tenth defeat in just 20 Premier League games this term, but digging out referees as opposed to self-reflection on his side’s display won’t get the him anywhere.
In other Tottenham news, Spurs are looking to solve their crisis at the back with one of the Premier League’s in-form defenders.
For more Tottenham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channelfor instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.