Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou admits his side had a lucky escape thanks to a controversial late decision in their 3-3 draw with Manchester City.
City’s players were outraged when referee Simon Hooper pulled back play to award a free-kick for a foul rather than let the game run just as Erling Haaland had sent Jack Grealish through on goal. The decision stopped a dangerous City attack late in the game with the score tied at 3-3, and Postecoglou feels his team were rather lucky.
Asked if his team “got away with one” at the end of the game, the Australian said: “Yeah, I guess so mate”.
He added to BBC Match of the Day: “It doesn’t affect me at all. I don’t think that is the story of the game today, there are better storylines from that fantastic game of football than one refereeing decision.”
The referee’s call brought a tense end to a thrilling Premier League encounter. Spurs took the lead through Son Heung-min early on but lost it almost immediately afterwards when the Korean scored an own goal.
Phil Foden put the home side in the lead, only for Giovani Lo Celso to pull Tottenham level again. After Jack Grealish thought he had won it after 81 minutes, Dejan Kulusevski headed in the final equalier in the 90th minute.
It was after the Swede’s goal that Hooper made the decisive call, awarding a foul after initially waving play on. City star Erling Haaland raged at the referee and then took to social media to share his anger, writing “Wtf” as he shared a clip of the incident.
The draw leaves Spurs sitting fifth in the Premier League table, three points behind City, who are in third place. The north London side, now four games without a win, are in action again against West Ham on Thursday.