Former Premier League and 2016 Champions League final Matt Clattenburg believes Paul Tierney’s decision to award Tottenham a penalty was SOFT despite being technically right- I’m not sure I’d have given it ”
Tottenham took a huge step towards Europe’s premier competition with a stunning 3-0 victory over North London rivals Arsenal courtesy of Harry Kane’s brace and a Heung-min Son strike.
There could be no denying that Antonio Conte’s men were deserving of the win but the game wasn’t without controversy as more than a few Gooners still feeling a sense of injustice once the final whistle blew on a 3-0 humbling.
Clattenburg believes Tottenham’s penalty decision against Arsenal was SOFT.
Referee Paul Tierney had plenty of decisions to make, and gave Spurs a first-half penalty, converted by Harry Kane, before sending off Gunners defender Rob Holding, decisions manager Mikel Arteta did not seem to be happy with.
So, Sportsmail columnist Mark Clattenburg discusses the key officiating calls in the game, concluding Tierney got one right and one wrong.
Clattenburg believes Tottenham’s penalty decision against Arsenal was SOFT.
Reflecting on the spot-kick that opened the floodgates for Spurs, Clattenburg reflected:
“This was a defining decision in a match with so much riding on the result and I’m not sure I would have given this. Technically, Paul Tierney wasn’t wrong.” He said.
“We were shown a replay of what the referee could see from behind and it looked like a nudge in the back from Cedric Soares on Son Heung-min.”
“But if we’re going to give this as a penalty, I could find plenty of other examples when the same ‘foul’ has occurred in the box in other games.”
Same Paul Tierney. Blowing in Tottenham's favour.pic.twitter.com/4KDsV3iBVN
— AI (@nonewthing) May 13, 2022
“The inconsistency is frustrating because when this happens next week in another Premier League game, will it be given? Maybe. Maybe not. Unfortunately for Arsenal, Tierney considered it a clear foul and Harry Kane said thank you very much.”
@JoeSteggles1 . This was a foul. Correct. The type refs overlook 99% of the time. But he gave it in an important game. Holding's foul is a red. Indefensible. Kane did similar against Gabriel @ the EMS. Not even a yellow. When rules are applied inconsistently, you have a problem.
— Joseph Simiyu (@JosephS1120) May 13, 2022
.BUT HOLDING HAD TO GO
As for rob Holding’s red card, Clattenburg believes that Tierney got that right and, again, it’s hard to argue.
Although referees allow a degree of feistiness in these derbies, Tierney finally lost patience with Holding and booked him for his third foul on Son, this time for pulling back his opponent.
Given he was already on a yellow, it was therefore stupid of Holding to block Son’s run using an elevated arm.
What Arsenal fans do wonder, however, is how Son was able to throw at least two elbows at Holding without consequence.
Below are some of Arsenal fans plight on Paul Tierney’s decision during the North London Derby.
No way this is the pen LOOL pic.twitter.com/GyGYmsdlpw
— 🕊 (@Armzinnho) May 12, 2022
Watching the penalty decision, Cedric doesn’t even try to jump before barging Son.
At the very least you’re told as a FB to jump and lean into the attacker.
He doesn’t he just barges him, soft but there’s an argument to why ref gives it.
— Gilles 🇳🇬🏴 (@_Grimanditweets) May 12, 2022
https://twitter.com/_ACEINFINITE/status/1524836375819866123?t=S3Cr6-1ft1R7S7zFLzG-cw&s=19
How does that even make sense. "Technically its a penalty but I wouldnt have given it"
If the rulebook states its a penalty then its a penalty. It isnt soft because had Cedric not pushed Son, Sonny could have banged a header to score
This is whats wrong with football
— ⋆ C ⋆ | #82 (@The82Club) May 13, 2022
ADD A COMMENT