The Tottenham boss insists he was proud of his players after their 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle, whose equaliser came after the ball struck the arm of Joelinton
Furious Ange Postecoglou claimed he had never been angrier in his career after blaming Tottenham ’s latest defeat on Newcastle ’s controversial equaliser. “If it was an even playing field, we’d have won that game,” claimed the Spurs boss.
The emotional Aussie insisted he was “hugely proud” of his Spurs squad hit by injury and illness. Third-choice keeper Brandon Austin started in goal and the only recognised centre-back Radu Draguisin went off ill at half-time after a bug hit the squad.
But Postecoglou was left sick by Anthony Gordon’s sixth-minute equaliser after the ball hit Joelinton ’s hand in the build-up and referee Andrew Madley ruled his arm was “in a natural position and the contact was accidental”.
The Tottenham boss seethed: “I’m shattered the boys didn’t get the rewards they deserved because we were outstanding, our football was outstanding against a very good opponent. It was a game we deserved to win and on any other day we would have won. I take my hat off to the players. I am really, really angry – as angry as I have ever been i think in my career – that we were denied the right rewards for a fantastic performance
“I think it’s clear. Now whether people agree with me or not whether it wasn’t handball or it was accidental, I’m just not interested in any of that discussion. What I’m saying is, on any given day with a fair and even playing field and logical thought processes we would have won that game, that’s it.
Eddie Howe said: “There’s no denying the ball hit Joe’s hand or arm but I’m not sure of the rules. I believe his arm was down and ref and VAR have followed the protocol in place. I have just got to concentrate on us. I thought we were dominant in the first half today.”
Newcastle have now won three consecutive Premier League away games after victories at Ipswich and Manchester United – and return to North London to face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday.
“We had to dig deep today,” said Howe. “It was a tough win but a massive one.”
Swedish striker Alexander Isak netted his ninth goal in seven Premier League games for the first-half winner. “He was in the right place at the right time,” added Howe. That’s an art. He’s on a hot streak, long may that continue.”
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