Tottenham Hotspur fell 1-1 to Newcastle United in a heart-breaking final few minutes where they conceded a controversial VAR penalty, which Callum Wilson converted.
Jose Mourinho’s men dominated from the outset – controlling the ball, setting the tempo, and creating opportunities.
They restricted Newcastle to zero chances, and the penalty in the 97TH minute was the Magpies’ first shot on target.
Spurs opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Harry Kane got another assist to his name – his teasing ball across the box left Lucas Moura no chance but to stab home.
They had a number of opportunities to give them a cushion – but with the scores one apart, there was always an opportunity for Steve Bruce’s Men to perform a smash and grab.
In the final seconds, a floating ball from Jonjo Shelvey looked destined for Andy Carroll’s head but was of no real danger.
The striker powered the ball into Eric Dier’s arm, who was stretching and jumping backwards to try and win the battle.
VAR decided it was a penalty and the rest is destiny. However, the decision made a wave around the football world, many protesting these rules.
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NEW RULES NEW PROBLEMS
Once again, refereeing decisions took over all the talking points from the game. There were various people calling for VAR, and the handball rule to improve or be abolished.
Today was more a focus on the new handball rule rather than VAR, as they can only enforce the rules they are told.
A foul is now awarded if the ball hits a player who has made themselves "unnaturally bigger" with their arm. IFAB determines that a hand or arm above shoulder height is rarely a “natural position”. There can be exceptions, such as when a player is falling.
Leeway can also be given with ricocheted handballs when it comes off a nearby player if the player cannot see the ball.
So, by law, Dier committed a handball and it was a penalty.
But is that right? He’s got complete eyes for the ball, jumping to try and win the duel. The resulting header has smacked off Carroll’s head and into Dier’s arm from a yard away.
What is he meant to do? Jump with his hands behind his back?
Jamie Carragher, on commentary for Sky Sports, gave his opinion on the matter:
"It's an absolute disgrace. An absolute joke.
"Eric Dier jumps for the ball, has no control of where his arms are going to be, it was a header half a yard away from him, hits him on the back of his arm, he has no idea what's going on. This is a joke.
"Whether it's the Premier League, the FA, FIFA, Pierluigi Collina, whoever is involved in this, stop it, because you're ruining football for everybody. Absolute joke.
"You've got more trouble on your hands Premier League, FIFA, UEFA, whoever is involved. Change this now!"
This is a commonly shared opinion from pundits, to players, to fans, and to managers.
The exact same issue happened in yesterday's game between Everton and Crystal Palace – where manager Roy Hodgson also voiced his deep discontent with this issue.
The new rule cost Tottenham two points today, but ultimately – it’s costing a lot more than that. There is a firm belief that these new rules are destroying the game we love.
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ONE OF THOSE DAYS
The first half was one of the most free-flowing, vibrant Tottenham performances under Mourinho. They were constantly unlocking Newcastle’s deep low back and restricting them to no chances.
Kane and Heung Min-Son were their usual brilliant selves.
They somehow both didn’t get on the scoresheet.
The Korean international hit the woodwork twice, while the England captain missed chances that any other day would rustle in the back of the net.
Spurs were so dominant in the encounter that any thought of Newcastle coming back into the game would’ve been laughed off, even with the scores only one apart.
The Toon enjoyed more possession in the second half, but it was comfortable for Spurs, as they never looked like threatening the goal.
The mentality switched for Mourinho’s men, seemingly deciding they were going to slow down the gears and grind out an easy 1-0 victory.
This was well on course to happen, until the calamity of the unfortunate VAR penalty decision in the 97thminute.
It feels harsh on Tottenham to accuse them of anything more than rank misfortune but ultimately the hosts paid a dear price for their profligacy in front of the goal. They finished with 23 shots to Newcastle's six, including 12 on target.
It was just one of those days
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DELE ALLI MISSING
Dele Alli was omitted from Tottenham's Premier League matchday squad for the second week in a row amid continued transfer speculation.
When quizzed whether Alli was not selected because of squad rotation or other reasons, Mourinho said: "A bit of both."
A number of clubs, including Champions League finalist Paris Saint Germain, are interested in signing the England international midfielder in this transfer window.
Is this the ending of Dele’s time at Tottenham?
It is commonly thought that he will feature against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, but this storyline will be one to watch with a keen eye throughout the season.
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KANE EVOLVING
Since Christian Eriksen left for Inter Milan in January, filling the creative void in his Tottenham side has been one of Mourinho’s biggest challenges.
It appears they may have found their man. Not even through the transfer market, but through to their very own.
Last week, he already doubled his assist total for the whole of the 2019-20 Premier League season — it’s easy to think of this as new development.
But for England, it’s been something he’s been doing for a while, where Gareth Southgate has used Kane in more of a hybrid No 9/10 role.
He grabbed another brilliant assist again today, fizzing a fabulous ball across the face with his apparent weak foot – setting the opening goal up on a plate for Lucas.
He was unlucky to add to his already five-goal assist tally - putting Son through with a brilliant pass minutes after the goal.
The striker has been often been given connotations as an ‘old-school striker’.
He's strong, plays off his defender, and a poacher in the box.
But every sign suggests he’s become a modern hybrid of a brilliant striker, but also a creative playmaker with a brilliant passing range.
Kane moving defenders away from the penalty area and opening up space for his fellow attackers will cause most teams difficulties.
And if Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele can continue to develop, then Tottenham could start making up the creativity deficit that has dogged them since Eriksen’s departure.
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SON INJURY BLOW
Son was his usual brilliant self in the first half and was incredibly unlucky not to get on the score sheet.
The 28-year-old has become a vital part of Spurs’ setup – himself and Kane providing a large outlay of Tottenham’s goals.
The substitution at half-time for Steven Bergwijn was met with a mixed response, some dismissing it as a serious problem, considering the fixture congestion that’s approaching.
He was simply being rested, considering the game felt completely in Spurs’ control at the time. Right?
Just after the 97th-minute, life couldn’t seem to get more depressing for Spurs’ fans – their worst nightmares were revealed shortly as it turns out Son had picked up a hamstring injury that will keep him out for a long time, according to Jose Mourinho.
This is a huge loss for Tottenham – who not only have a crazy fixture congestion, but often reply on Son for a lot of their attacking moves.
Kane can do a lot of the work, but with Moura, Bergwijn, and Erik Lamela - there is a clear drop in quality compared to the world-class Son.
Gareth Bale would be the ideal replacement, and soon he will be, but the Welshman will be waiting a few more weeks for his debut return.
In the meantime, it’s a big opportunity for the remaining wingers to prove their place for Mourinho, with Son irreplicable and Bale coming soon.
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NDOMBELE SPARK
Ndombele, who seems to have worked his way into Mourinho’s plans, made a short but swift cameo.
The Frenchman replaced Lo Celso, and he was constantly playing forward passes and wanting the ball at his feet.
He showed his usual flair, providing a couple of flicks past Newcastle defenders which provided space for Tottenham.
It will be over-looked because of the overall theme of the game, but Ndombele came on and looked very tidy again.
The 23-year-old is knocking on the door to become consistent in Spurs’ midfield.