In a game where Tottenham Hotspur should have been out of sight before the halftime whistle could even sound, a VAR intervention gave Steve Bruce and Newcastle United a point against the run of play. The controversial handball rule reappeared to deny Spurs all three points as Eric Dier’s unintentional handball led to a Callum Wilson equaliser from the spot late on.
VAR Deny Spurs Win Late On
Dominant Tottenham
In the first 45 minutes, Tottenham Hotspur looked to continue where they left off at Southampton last weekend. Newcastle United set up defensively and looked to contain Spurs. Spurs were energetic and the passing from the first whistle was slick and mostly precise. Giovani Lo Celso was lively in the middle of the park with Harry Winks and Pierre-Emile Hojberg breaking up play and stepping onto the front foot.
Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min are developing an almost telepathic understanding. Some of the one touch football was sublime. Son hit the post and the bar in the first half before forcing Karl Darlow into making a string of superb saves to frustrate the North London club.
It was in the 24th minute that the Spurs dominance was rightfully rewarded. Harry Kane became provider again as he hit a low cross into the path of Lucas Moura who scored his first Premier League goal in 2020.
When the half time whistle blew, Steve Bruce must have been relieved. Tottenham could have, and probably should have, been well ahead at the break.
Newcastle United Grasp Point
In the first half, Newcastle were determined not to lose this match. Callum Wilson was up front on his own and Hugo Lloris spent most of his time as a spectator.
Newcastle looked as lacklustre in the first half as they had at home to Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend. In the second half they had more energy but it was the introduction of Andy Carroll that caused Spurs the most problems. Long balls and set pieces were all sent up to Carroll and it was that combination that led to the controversial penalty.
Carroll won his header from a free kick and as the ball and Eric Dier were landing, the ball caught the back of Dier’s hand. Dier was not facing the ball. Tottenham had already gone up the other end and won a corner before VAR made the intervention and a penalty was called. Callum Wilson kept his cool to give Newcastle an unlikely and hardly deserved point.
Whilst the handball rule will continue to cause controversy, Tottenham Hotspur did take their foot off the gas in the second half and will now rue the chances that went begging. When the opposition keeper is man of the match, you know you have been the better team.
Jose Mourinho Keeps His Council Over Penalty
If everyone was waiting for Jose Mourinho to give an explosive post match interview they were disappointed. He wanted to praise his teams performance and told Sky Sports News;
”If I want to give money away I will give it to charity, not the FA” as he looked to avoid speaking at of terms, and, therefore, avoid an inevitable fine.
Steve Bruce Calls Handball Rule ‘ A Total Nonsense’
Despite being grateful for the point, the Newcastle manager agreed that the handball rule is nonsense as he told BBC Sport;
”It is a total nonsense. We have to get together as managers and say this must stop”
VAR and its intervention has once again has taken centre stage and the conversations about the rule will rumble long into the night. One thing seems to be certain and that is the managers are all in agreement that the rule is hurting football and the rule makers need to act before football loses its integrity and excitement once and for all.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
