'Utter disgrace': Fans up in arms over Arsenal penalty controversy
Jose Mourinho was left the bemoan the performance of officials and the VAR after his Tottenham side went down to Arsenal in an incident-packed north London derby in the Premier League.
Alexandre Lacazette's controversial second-half penalty proved decisive as Arsenal beat Tottenham 2-1 to dent the top-four hopes of their fierce rivals, who were reduced to 10-men after Erik Lamela followed up his extraordinary goal with a second yellow card.
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Arsenal's preparations for the game were by no means ideal as Mikel Arteta revealed pre-match that captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had been dropped for disciplinary reasons, reportedly relating to tardiness.
Yet his Gunners side were superior from start to finish and took away what many felt was a deserved three points from the clash.
However, Mourinho was less than impressed when addressing the refereeing in his post-match interview.
The Tottenham manager's anger seemed to centre around Lacazette's second half penalty, awarded after Spurs defender Davinson Sanchez clattered into the Arsenal striker.
The collision came after Lacazette's poor attempted shot that saw him fail to connect with the ball after an embarrassing air-swing.
Referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot and VAR saw no reason to overturn the decision, with Lacazette blasting in the resulting penalty.
“No post-match interviews for referees? It’s a pity," Mourinho said after the match, before offering his take on the penalty drama.
“A big question for Michael [Oliver] to answer and probably Paul Tierney, too, in VAR, but according to [fourth officla] Kevin Friend the referee had as clear vision and the VAR did not rule against.”
You can't have a derby without controversy 👀
Lacazette scores from the spot, but was it even a penalty? 🤔
Watch LIVE, or later on demand 📺 https://t.co/NEjpRUdpIV#OptusSport | #PL | #ARSTOT pic.twitter.com/tF9aWkpVsm— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) March 14, 2021
The manager then delved into classic 'Mourinho mode' after being asked whether the scuffed shot negated the contact from Sanchez that resulted in the penalty.
“If somebody has a different opinion, it has to be one of the big Arsenal fans with the season tickets in one of these chairs,” he said.
“That is the only one I would accept a different view because it’s the passion speaking. It’s too obvious.”
Fans also took to social media to express similar frustrations to the Spurs manager.
I didn’t think it was a pen at the time & the more I see replays the more I’m convinced it weren’t a penalty, Sanchez never impeded him getting a shot away, he went to block the shot & contact was made, that don’t make it a pen imo
— COCKNEY YIDDO (@cockney_yid) March 14, 2021
If Lacazette doesn’t slice the ball, Sanchez blocks it, never a penalty
— niki williams (@nikiwilliams10) March 14, 2021
I'm the biggest critic of Sanchez but he was the best defender of the lot of them. That pen decision was an utter disgrace there would be 50 penalties a weekend if those were given as the norm.
— Cames Junningham (@Jamas180) March 14, 2021
So lacazette just boots Sanchez and thats a penalty - disgraceful
— Tom Craske (@CraskieTheClown) March 14, 2021
Having looked at the penalty again and he’s had a swing at it and missed it, kicked Sanchez and then screamed the place down. Never a pen! As I said we probably didn’t deserve a point but that’s a shocking decision. Any striker worth his salt scores that!! Stop bloody screaming!!
— Rob Groves (@RobGroves78) March 14, 2021
That was a shocking penalty decision. The Spurs fans that say "it was a penalty" makes me sick. Completely missed the ball with his kick and falls onto Sanchez who didn't even tackle - was only attempting to block the shot.
— Toothless (@toothyplays_) March 14, 2021
Agreed mate. It definitely shouldn't have been a pen 😬
— Jo Mac (@Jomacjomac) March 14, 2021
Not good enough from Tottenham today. Set up all wrong from the start. Even with VAR they can’t get decisions right, never a penalty in a million years Sanchez has committed to the challenge he’s had a fresh air shot and kicked Sanchez. Baffling 🤷🏼♂️
— Brian Kenny (@THFC29) March 14, 2021
Arsenal rally to secure vital derby win
Mourinho's men took a surprise first half lead against the run of play courtesy of Lamela's breathtaking rabona.
But Martin Odegaard restored parity on the stroke of halftime and Lacazette completed the turnaround from the spot in the second period to move Arsenal back to within four points of their seventh-placed rivals.
Lamela's dismissal 14 minutes from time hampered Spurs in their late rally.
It seemed a long time since his magnificent opener. Lucas Moura teed up Lamela to produce the 'rabona' that went through Thomas Partey's legs and found the bottom-right corner.
A deserved equaliser did arrive just before the break when Odegaard turned in Kieran Tierney's cross with the aid of a deflection.
Lacazette's penalty ultimately proved decisive, with Spurs soon reduced to 10-men when Lamela caught Tierney in the face with a stray arm to earn a second yellow card.
Arsenal held on to end their five-match winless run in the derby.
with AAP
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