Anthony Gordon scores controversial equaliser for Newcastle towards Tottenham – as Ange Postecoglou and Spurs teaching employees are left livid

Anthony Gordon‘s composed equaliser for Newcastle in their win over Tottenham left Ange Postecoglou and his Spurs players incensed, with the home side demanding the referee chalk it off for handball.

Dominic Solanke had given the north London side an early lead by bullying his defender and heading home from a high ball.

The visitors managed to complete a first-half comeback and hold on for a 2-1 win, courtesy of goals from Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak, but those of a Spurs persuasion were left less than impressed that the first one stood.

Lucas Bergvall seemed to strike the ball onto Joelinton’s arm in the build-up although the Brazilian appeared to know very little about it.

He then played a pass into Bruno Guimaraes, who found an on-rushing Gordon. The Englishman took one touch before firing his second home and wheeling off in a celebration in front of new Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel. 

An under-pressure Postecoglou grimaced after the goal was confirmed and his bench complained to the fourth official. 

Anthony Gordon’s equaliser for Newcastle has angered Spurs fans, coaches and players

Many thought that the goal should have been chalked off as Joelinton handled the ball

Ange Postecoglou looked furious after the goal while his coaching staff protested against it

In particular, assistant coach Matt Wells joined substitute Sergio Reguilon in voicing their anger at the call.

A few minutes later, the Premier League Match Centre official X account posted their justification of the decision, saying: ‘The referee’s call of goal was confirmed by VAR, who checked for a potential handball by Joelinton in the build-up and deemed that his arm was by his side, in a natural position and the contact was accidental.’

Meanwhile on Sky Sports, former referee Mike Dean said: ‘It’s a goal, even if it hits his hand, it’s accidental. 

‘And he hasn’t scored the goal Joelinton. It’s then gone forward to Gordon so it’s a goal.’

On TNT Sports, pundits Karen Carney and Joe Hart weighed in on the decision and there was disagreement in the studio. 

The former Arsenal and Chelsea star said: ‘[Gordon] is ruthless on the counterattack. His work ethic, his crossing is good, but I have to say I think that was a handball. I know the letter of the law. 

‘I know he was unintentional, but it’s still for me gave an advantage for Newcastle there, and I think that was a handball. 

‘I’m not saying that is the rule, but I still think it gave them an advantage. So he didn’t intentionally mean to do it, so I’m not arguing. I’m arguing with the rule basically.’

Alexander Isak went on to score a winner for Newcastle later in the second-half to inflict defeat

Karen Carney was not happy with the decision and voiced her disapproval at the game’s laws

Joe Hart on the other hand argued that Joelinton’s hand was in a ‘natural position’

Hart, meanwhile, added: ‘I like the laws. I like the clarity. I’ve got no qualms with that. It happened. All of us, all of us are having a conversation straight away.

‘Straightaway the conversation is what are the rules?

‘Because that’s the only way that we can form an opinion when it comes to this in terms of what’s going on on the pitch. We can have a discussion, Karen, Lindsay, we can all talk about what we think should happen, human element coming into it. 

‘Obviously a huge benefit to Newcastle, the fact that it did turn over, when the rules were in front of you stating, I don’t think it was in an abnormal position. It was a natural position. Ball turned over. It’s unfortunate for Spurs.’