Spurs‘ defeat to at the hands of Leeds on Saturday lunchtime all but ended any hope left of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, but it wasn’t just the defeat that was gut-wrenching for Spurs fans, it was the performance that came along with it.
Despite plenty of chances being created and plenty of possession had in the opposition’s half, only a match sharpness-lacking Dele Alli managed to unlock the Leeds defence with a bit of craft and creativity.
His through-ball for Heung-min Son created the equaliser, and not long after, another cute pass from the English midfielder set away Harry Kane, who chipped Illan Meslier.
VAR time! 🙃
Harry Kane's goal is disallowed as his toenail pokes past the offside line ❌ pic.twitter.com/82RVpBRIjc
— GOAL (@goal) May 8, 2021
VAR, however, then ruled the goal out due to offside, despite it not even looking convincing with the 3D lines brought out, and Ryan Mason believed the decision was dubious to say the least.
“At 1-1 there was an offside decision and I’m shocked,” Spurs’ interim manager said after the game speaking to BT Sport.
“I don’t think it was right. People don’t understand momentum in football and how those decisions can affect you.
“I’ve seen it back. My first look, second look and 10th look tell me that it’s not offside. At 1-1 it’s a big moment. In my opinion they got that one wrong.”
Me trying to express my feelings on that Kane offside call pic.twitter.com/xk2n3YQKE2
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) May 8, 2021
With the scoreline at 1-1, the decision could have easily have changed the game, and at the end of the season we may be looking back on it as the reason we didn’t secure Champions League football for next season – but the sad truth is Spurs were outplayed and were far from lethal in front of goal.
“We had moments but we weren’t clinical enough at times,” said Mason. “Leeds know what they’re doing, they play a certain way and it took us a while to get into the game.
“In the second half we were the better team. The moments we had, you have to take them in these games.
🤦 “#THFC were shocking! I cannot wait for the season to end, Kane has to leave.”
😡 “I am sick of watching that poor man run for this side & get nothing back!” @Mrjamieohara1 is ‘over’ this season after Tottenham lost 3-1 to #LUFC. 👎 pic.twitter.com/YM3mL5ERvg
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 10, 2021
“Today was a massive game for us, to lose it hurts. It’s difficult to win in the Premier League but we’ve got to have our full attention on next week now.”
Wolves are the next team to stand in the way of three points for Spurs, and the game will take place on Sunday at 14:05pm at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.