Tottenham Hotspur moved into fourth place in the Premier League table after their 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Over the weekend, the Premier League has seen some big talking points and some very controversial calls.
Wolves’ 2-1 defeat to West Ham United was filled with abject refereeing decisions and it followed on during the final game of the weekend.
Tottenham could probably count themselves lucky that their game against Nottingham Forest didn’t turn on its head at 1-1, because it should have done, with the home side going on to win the contest 3-1.
Not only did Chris Wood miss a guilt-edge chance from yards out, which smacked the post, to make it 2-1, but James Maddison was also lucky not to see a red card.
Forest boss Nuno Espírito Santo, who was returning to Hotspur Way, felt that the English playmaker should have seen red for punching Ryan Yates in the stomach.
The player himself, whilst sitting on the floor, signalled for VAR and the officials to look at the incident on a replay.
Despite that check, no action was taken, to the surprise of the Forest player and the bench.
Wayne Rooney feels Maddison was a lucky boy and he was ‘very surprised’ VAR didn’t overturn the on-field call, as he told Premier League Productions (07/04/24 at 6:55 pm).
On the other hand, Michael Owen disagreed and wasn’t too fussed that he wasn’t given his marching orders, even though he wouldn’t have complained about the call if it had been given.
James Maddison’s punch on Ryan Yates
“I don’t think there is loads in it,” said Owen. “He certainly throws his arms slightly. I think it’s quite soft – I wouldn’t have complained if it was. Maddison has got away with it.”
Rooney interrupted: “I think with some of the red cards we have seen, I think it’s a red card – If you are the manager against, then you are asking for a red card. If you are James Maddison’s manager, then you are saying it’s soft.
“I think it’s a red. I know he hasn’t put much power into the punch, but you can see from the reaction, he has brought his arm back, his fist is clenched and he has hit him in the stomach, so for me, it’s a red card. I am very surprised VAR didn’t overturn that.”
Tottenham will take the points
In the first half, if Spurs were down to ten men and fell 2-1 behind, then not many could have complained because the signs were there of it happening.
But it wasn’t the case and Ange Postecoglou was pro-active in his calls at the break, which proved to make a difference.
Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg were introduced into the action and they helped change the tide of the game.
Spurs controlled the match better, scored two wonderful goals through Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro, then sealed the points and moved into fourth spot.
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