Tottenham 1-1 Newcastle: More VAR handball controversy as injury-time penalty denies Spurs win

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Joe Krishnan27 September 2020

A controversial late penalty saw Newcastle United snatch a 1-1 draw at Tottenham to leave Jose Mourinho furious.

Lucas Moura sent Spurs into half-time 1-0 up, though in truth the hosts should have been out of sight after creating a number of chances.

And Mourinho's men were left to rue those misses as Newcastle levelled in stoppage time courtesy of another controversial handball decision.

Andy Carroll's header from point-blank range hit Eric Dier on the arm in the box and, after a delay for VAR, the spot-kick was given. Callum Wilson stepped up to score and secure Newcastle a 1-1 draw.

With less than 72 hours after their Europa League win over Shkendija in North Macedonia, Mourinho brought in Hugo Lloris and Harry Kane returning to lead the line.

Dele Alli's absence was more conspicuous when Moussa Sissoko pulled out of the 18-man squad with illness late on, only for Gedson Fernandes to take his place instead.

The home side were able to dominate possession with Newcastle sitting deep in a back five formation and it wasn't long before Karl Darlow was forced into action. First, he denied Giovani Lo Celso from a 25-yard free-kick and then made a reflex save to palm away Kane's close-range effort inside the first three minutes.

It was only a sign of things to come for the visitors as they faced a barrage of attempts on their goal. Kane again got a clear sight of goal, peeling off at the far post to connect with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's cross but Darlow punched over with a strong fist.

With their territorial advantage, it seemed inevitable Tottenham would break the door down and with 25 minutes gone, Lucas Moura delivered. Kane once again showed his ability to set up goals as well as score them, sending in a low cross and the Brazilian tucked away at the far post.

Kane thought he had doubled the lead two minutes later, bending a fine curler towards the far post only to watch an outstretched Darlow push it wide for a corner.

Spurs were beginning to become relentless in their attacking and it was Son's turn to go close, seeing his left-footed strike bounce off the woodwork and four minutes before the break crashed a shot against the crossbar.

Having offered precious little in the first half, Newcastle were still in the game with only a one-goal deficit to overturn and they were offered some relief when Son was withdrawn at the break, with Steven Bergwin coming on.

The second half was a slightly less entertaining affair, although Newcastle were beginning to show more attacking intent with a large share of possession.

But very few chances arrived for Lloris to deal with and despite the late arrival of Andy Carroll in the game - though penalty controversy struck late on as Wilson scored following a Dier handball after a lengthy VAR review.

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27 September 2020

GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Newcastle | Lucas Moura 25'

His first league goal of 2020 and it's been coming!

After Newcastle's attack breaks down, Spurs launch a counter of their own with Son, who supplies Kane.

The striker fizzes in a dangerous low cross, which evades everyone until Lucas prods home at the far post. A much-needed boost for his confidence!

 

Photo: Getty/Tottenham Hotspur FC

27 September 2020

21 mins: A rare opportunity for Newcastle to make use of the set-piece after spending the majority of this first half defending their own box.

Where's Andy Carroll when you need him? Ritchie whips in a delightful ball but it's cleared by Kane of all people.

27 September 2020

Dan Kilpatrick at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

"This game has settled into a predictable pattern, with Newcastle camped in their own half as Spurs dominate possession and look for a way through. "It's a very different challenge for Spurs than last weekend's trip to Southampton, where the hosts pushed high and pressed Mourinho's side."

27 September 2020

18 mins: More possession for Spurs, but that final pass just appears to be lacking.

You have to think that eventually, Son or Lo Celso will get one right though...

27 September 2020

13 mins: Lo Celso is trying to find the gaps to put Kane or Son in behind the defence.

But to their credit, Lascelles and Fernandez have done a stellar job in shutting down all avenues for the creative Argentinian.

Spurs are in total control of the ball and Newcastle are really struggling to keep the ball when they get it back.

27 September 2020

9 mins: Kane header saved!

Spurs have started well despite their congested schedule and it's Hojbjerg who whips in a super cross to Kane at the far post.

He tries to steer it home but once again, Darlow produces a tidy save to deny the striker.

 

Photo: PA

27 September 2020

6 mins: Spurs do appear to be playing at a higher tempo than perhaps they have done in recent weeks.

Newcastle's early setup suggests they are quite content at hitting hard on the counter today, with a back three merging into a back five when out of possession.

27 September 2020

3 mins: Fine double save from Darlow!

It's an early free-kick opportunity for Tottenham from 25 yards and Lo Celso fancies it.

It's not right in the corner and Darlow reacts late with a fingertip save, pushing it out in front of him and somehow denies Kane on the follow-up.

Nearly a perfect start for Spurs.

 

Photo: Reuters

27 September 2020

KICK-OFF!

We're underway at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium!

27 September 2020

The players are walking out onto the pitch on what is a chilly afternoon in north London and we're a few minutes away from kick-off.

Will we see the new boy Sergio Reguilon at some point today? He's on the bench.