Tottenham went behind against Fulham on Sunday through a close-range Harry Wilson strike, but there was some controversy over the referee’s call that could’ve disallowed the goal
Spurs conceded a controversial goal against Fulham(Image: (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images))
Tottenham Hotspur interim coach Igor Tudor cut a frustrated figure on the touchline at Craven Cottage as his side fell behind against Fulham in controversial circumstances. It took just seven minutes for the home side to take the lead, as Raul Jimenez won a header, towering over Radu Dragusin, and finding Harry Wilson.
The in-form Welshman didn’t turn down the opportunity, striking from close-range to continue his fine scoring run, and putting Spurs into another ominous position. However, the Lilywhites may have felt aggrieved for how they fell behind against Fulham, with a referee decision not going in their favour.
Jimenez appeared to push Dragusin in the back to win the header that led to the goal, but after a review from VAR, no foul was given. That left Tudor furious when he was in discussion with the fourth official, clearly gesturing a pushing motion, especially considering that Tottenham had a goal disallowed for a similar offence in the North London Derby last week.
The Premier League Match Centre explained the decision, posting on X: “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed the contact by Jiménez on Drăgușin did not meet the threshold for a foul.”
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Former Premier League goalkeeper Rob Green was on Sky Sports discussing the decision as it happened, and said: “Is it a push? There is no real foul there, I cannot see this being overturned.”
He then went on to suggest why it was different to the decision the previous week, saying: “Dragusin knows he is caught under it – Tudor is asking for consistency, but it is a completely different situation to last week.” That won’t bring much comfort to Tottenham fans, however, having felt hard done by on both occasions.
The nightmare start for Tottenham was compounded later in the half, as former Arsenal man Alex Iwobi scored with a strike from the edge of the box. It put Tudor in an awkward position in his second game in the dugout, with greater expectations after defeat last week.
It only adds to the challenge that the interim boss has already outlined, heading into the clash at Craven Cottage on Sunday. He told the press: “Yes, very tough, but it’s what I said before, I don’t change my opinion, it is how it is.
“So, daily work, focus, raising in all things we need to do, physical condition, mental confidence, performance and waiting for the players to come back. So, we need to be focused on us, what we can do, less thinking about others, that’s always good and it will be good.”
Given the absence of key players, Tottenham will be hopeful that a few of them will be available to help with the battle at the bottom of the Premier League table. Cristian Romero and Mohamed Kudus are among those likely to return soon, but it remains to be seen what impact they will have.
For now, however, Spurs will be cursing their luck as much as their own performances on the pitch.
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