Ange Postecoglou unhappy with handball decision in Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League loss to Newcastle United
Tottenham Hotspur suffered a frustrating 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle United in the Premier League, a loss overshadowed by a controversial handball decision that allowed Newcastle’s first goal to stand.
Despite missing several key players through injury and suspension, Tottenham showed resilience and created numerous opportunities, but ultimately fell short against the in-form Magpies.
The turning point of the match came when Newcastle scored their equalizer. The ball struck Joelinton’s arm in the build-up, but the goal was allowed to stand after a VAR review deemed the contact accidental. This decision left Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou visibly frustrated.
“I’m hugely proud of my players,” Postecoglou said after the match. “We were outstanding considering the situation we are in. We deserved to win that game. I don’t feel hard done by – that’s the way they do things. The last thing I want is an explanation [from the match officials.”
Postecoglou emphasized that despite the controversial decision and the challenging circumstances, his team deserved to win the game. He acknowledged the significant impact of injuries and suspensions on his squad, limiting his options and making it difficult to field his strongest possible lineup.
Newcastle, riding a wave of momentum with six consecutive league victories, capitalized on Tottenham’s misfortune. Alexander Isak continued his impressive scoring run, netting his seventh goal in as many Premier League games.
The defeat leaves Tottenham struggling for consistency and facing a crucial period in their season. They currently sit 12th in the Premier League table and need to find a way to improve their form quickly to maintain their hopes of achieving their goals this season.
The controversial handball decision added another layer of frustration to Tottenham’s afternoon. While Postecoglou emphasized the need to focus on their own performance, the decision undoubtedly played a significant role in the outcome of the match.
In response to the goalkeeping crisis caused by Guglielmo Vicario’s injury, Tottenham are reportedly close to signing Slavia Prague goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky. The 21-year-old Czech Republic international has impressed this season, keeping 14 clean sheets in 29 appearances for his club.
Kinsky’s arrival would provide much-needed depth and competition within the Tottenham squad. Postecoglou, along with technical director Johan Lange, is actively working to strengthen the team during the January transfer window to address the challenges posed by the ongoing injury crisis.
The defeat to Newcastle serves as a reminder of the challenges facing Tottenham this season. However, despite these setbacks, Postecoglou and his team remain determined to improve and climb the Premier League table. The club will need to find a way to overcome these challenges and rediscover their winning form to achieve their goals this season.
