Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports that Kevin Friend said that on-field referee Michael Olivier had a ‘clear vision’ of the penalty that was awarded to Arsenal against Tottenham and VAR ‘didn’t want to’ or ‘couldn’t go against him’.
It was Arsenal who won the bragging rights in North London yesterday, with Alexandre Lacazette scoring the decisive yet controversial spot-kick which sealed the points for the Gunners.
Whilst a selection of Spurs fans will we annoyed with the penalty that was awarded, in truth, it was a performance not worthy enough for a derby match.
Mourinho shared his thoughts on the incident yesterday and what he thought himself from the bench when the penalty was confirmed.
“A question, an impossible one as they don’t speak, for Michael [Oliver] to answer,” said Mourinho. “And probably Paul Tierney too, the VAR.
“But according to Kevin Friend [fourth official] the referee said he had a clear vision and the VAR couldn’t or didn’t want to go against him.
“From the bench, I have a feeling, but I am 40-50 metres away. I watched it immediately on the iPad. The referees have a difficult job sometimes. I didn’t complain but when I watched it on the iPad – it is what it is.
“It’s a mistake by Michael Oliver, players get tired with so many matches, coaches get tired maybe referees get tired?
“He had a game midweek in Europe, maybe he’s tired. Usually, I’m very unlucky as my record with him on penalties is astonishing – with Chelsea, Man Utd, Tottenham, it doesn’t matter. I’m just very, very unlucky with such a good referee.”
It would have been interesting to see what decision would have been made had Lacazette got his shot away because he sliced his effort before he kicked Davinson Sanchez’s boot and the Spurs defender proceeded by doing the same.
It’s perhaps one of those decisions that if it goes your way then you aren’t complaining but if it’s against you then you are having a moan.
Either way, Arsenal were the better side for the majority of the game, aside from the final 15 minutes when Mikel Arteta and Co. were handed a scare.
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