Spurs hang precariously above relegation zone after being held by Leeds
Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored an equaliser from the penalty spot against Spurs. Pic: John Walton/PA Wire.
ANOTHER day, another VAR controversy, this time with Arsenal's rivals Tottenham on the wrong end of a decision that could spell the end of their Premier League tenure.
With Spurs and Leeds locked at 1-1, with a Dominic Calvert-Lewin penalty having equalised Mathys Tel's spectacular opener for Spurs, referee Jarred Gillett turned down a huge call for a Tottenham penalty deep in stoppage time.
James Maddison, on as a substitute for his first game since knee surgery in the close season, looked to have been tripped by Leeds substitute Lukas Nmechi, but Gillett said no penalty and Spurs had to settle for a point, which leaves them precariously placed above West Ham, who are 18th.
With two games to go, Tottenham are two points ahead of their London rivals but cannot afford another slip up.
There was much discussion beforehand about whether the Leeds players would be 'on the beach' after their Premier League safety was secured on Sunday by West Ham's defeat to Arsenal.
But Daniel Farke's side are not the sort to take any game easy, and having lost only one of their previous eight games, are even eyeing an unlikely place in Europe.
Their fans were in good voice, singing “We are staying up” from the start of a game that was cagey and took time to get into gear. Pedro Porro played Richarlison in for an early run at goal, but his former Tottenham team-mate Joe Rodon got between him and the ball. The Brazilian put an overhead kick wide of the far post, and then headed wide following one of many corners and long throws Spurs launched into the Leeds penalty area.
Richarlison also had a shot saved comfortably by Karl Darlow, while at the other end, Antonin Kinsky did well to hold a powerful header from Rodon. Spurs continued to threaten more, with Tel looking dangerous on the left and Randal Kolo Muani putting himself about on the right, but Richarlison looked off the pace.
Leeds were reduced to counter-attack, led by their excellent midfield pairing of Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu, who went on a rampaging run to set up a chance for Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The former Everton forward felt he should have had a penalty when Destiny Udogie bundled him over as they went for a cross shortly before half-time, but an offside flag was upheld by a VAR review.
The first half ended even, and a nervousness spread around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But the second half was barely five minutes old when Tel lit up the night with a superb goal to put Spurs ahead. Pedro Porro floated a corner from the right, Jaka Bijol's glanced header reached Tel on the edge of the penalty area, and the Frenchman took one touch to control the ball before curling it with precision and power into the far corner of goal.
The home supporters roared in delight, and Spurs suddenly had a spring in their step. Richarlison had a run on goal but again ran out of steam, and then volleyed high over the bar after a smart bit of control and cutback from Kolo Muani.
Farke sent on substitutes Nmecha and Wilfried Gnonto and Leeds sensed there might be something in it for them. And so it proved, when Tel tried an overhead clearance following a corner, and caught Ampadu in the head. Referee Gillett initially waved play on, but after being prompted by VAR to review the incident on a pitchside monitor, and awarded a penalty. Calvert-Lewin smashed it past Kinsky and Leeds were level.
Spurs looked nervous again now, and needed a last-ditch tackle from Micky van de Ven to deny Nmecha.
With time running out, Roberto De Zerbi turned to his own subs' bench for inspiration and sent on James Maddison to huge roars from home supporters.
The England midfielder had been out of action for almost a year, and his recovery was disrupted by a second knee injury in pre-season.
Maddison added some much-needed creativity as Spurs went in search of the winner that could take them four points clear of West Ham in 18th. There was widespread disbelief when the fourth official held up a board indicating 13 minutes of stoppage time.
Both teams had chances to win it. Sean Longstaff hit the underside of the Spurs crossbar with a an angled shot, the ball rebounding out, while Lucas Bergvall hit a looping shot on top of the Leeds net.
But the biggest drama – and most controversial moment – was yet to come. With seconds ticking away, Maddison went to go past Nmecha, the Leeds man stuck out a foot to take him down and Spurs fans roared in vain for a penalty. Even VAR could not persuade Gillett to change his mind, and Tottenham's last chance had gone. Now they face Chelsea away and Everton at home on the final day of the season knowing they can barely afford a slip if West Ham win both their final games.
Kinsky 7; Porro 7, Danso 7, Van de Ven 7, Udogie 6; Palhinha 8, Bentancur 7 (Bergvall 81); Kolo Muani 6, Gallagher 7, Tel 7 (Maddison 85); Richarlison 4.
Darlow 6; Bijol 6, Rodon 7, Struijk 6 (Bornauw); James 6 (Gnonto 63), Stach 6, Ampadu 9, Tanaka 8 (Longstaff 90+4), Justin 6; Calvert-Lewin 6, Aaronson 6 (Nmecha 63)
Jarred Gillett 4/10
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