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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou fuming with decisions in his side’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been left fuming with a number of decisions in his side’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle on Saturday.

He claimed he had never been angrier in his managerial career, blaming Spurs’ loss on Newcastle’s controversial equaliser, while also insisting he was “hugely proud” of his squad hit by injury and illness.

Third-choice keeper Brandon Austin had been put in goal and with only recognised centre-back Radu Draguisin going off ill at half time after a bug hit the team.

Postecoglou took issue with Anthony Gordon’s sixth-minute equaliser after the ball struck Joelinton’s hand in the build-up, referee Andrew Madley ruled his arm was “in a natural position and the contact was accidental”.

“If it was an even playing field, we’d have won that game,” claimed the Spurs boss.

“I’m shattered the boys didn’t get the rewards they deserved because we were outstanding, our football was outstanding against a very good opponent. It was a game we deserved to win and on any other day we would have won. I take my hat off to the players. I am really, really angry – as angry as I have ever been i think in my career – that we were denied the right rewards for a fantastic performance.

“I think it’s clear. Now whether people agree with me or not whether it wasn’t handball or it was accidental, I’m just not interested in any of that discussion. What I’m saying is, on any given day with a fair and even playing field and logical thought processes we would have won that game, that’s it.”

 Postecoglou, speaking to TNT Sports: “I’m hugely proud of my players. We were outstanding considering the situation we are in. We deserved to win that game. I don’t feel hard done by – that’s the way they do things. The last thing I want is an explanation [from the match officials].

“At half-time, full-time, I’m hugely proud of my players.

“We are are disappointed because all things being equal we’d have won. You can only do things that you can control, and there were things there today that were out of or control that took the game away from us.”

Postecoglou told BBC Sport: “On the balance of play, any balance you want with all things being equal, we would have won today.

“Outstanding. I couldn’t be prouder of the players. I couldn’t ask any more. It’s a game we would have won if all things were equal.

“If all things were equal and balanced we would have won today. Things weren’t equal and balanced.”

When asked what was not equal, if it was Newcastle’s opener: “You can talk about whatever you want. You want my opinion – if all things were equal and balanced we would have won.

“We had plenty of chances. Our football was outstanding considering everything we’re going through.

“If it was an even playing field we’d have won.”

On keeper Brandon Austin: “Really good. The moments we are going through putting big tasks on players and they’re rising to occasion.

“The performance deserved a victory.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaCPOAWUPug

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe told TNT Sports: “We had to dig deep today. It was a tough win but a massive one.

“There’s no denying the ball hit Joe’s hand or arm but I’m not sure of the rules.”

On whether Dan Burn should have been sent off: “Not for me. I don’t think he warranted two yellow cards. His yellow card probably was but after that were slighy fouls.”

On Alexander Isak: “He was in the right place at the right time. That’s an art. Another good cross from Jacob. He’s be disappointed with the one he didn’t take. He’s on a hot streak, long may that continue.

“Confidence has definitely shifted, it natutrally does when you win games. It was something we were building to. Performances were good. We’re a very good team with good players. I’d like to think we can keep it going.”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, speaking to MOTD: “Based on our first half performance [we deserved to win]. I thought we were really good. The most pleasing thing is to come back from conceding an early goal away from home. We made it hard for ourselves but played really well in the end.

“On another day maybe we could have led by two at the break and then second half we had to defend really well. I’m really pleased to get over the line and win the game.

“Some of our attacking play in the first half was really strong. It was a different game in the second half. It was very stop-start in the second half, a lot of injuries. But overall I thought we defended well.”

On his side’s equaliser which Spurs were unhappy about: “For me the rules are slightly unclear. I don’t know where the cut off point is. Of course it hit his hand – I cannot deny that. But from that point onwards I thought it was a really good goal.”

On Jacob Murphy: “He’s been a really strong performer for us on this run. He’s played his part again today.”

Here’s how fans reacted with Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou fuming over the decisions in his side’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle…

@RichySouthern: Thanks for the 6 points mate.

@NUFCLC: I can’t be arsed to look but I’m pretty sure he won’t have been saying this after they beat us last year when we were absolutey crippled with one of the worst injury crisis’ we’ve ever had. Eddie Howe wouldn’t have said something as classless as this at the time either.

@Superspurs131: I’m so behind Ange… That interview there is exactly what you need from a guy that has so many injuries and absentees in his squad.. He is fully committed and very confident he can turn our poor form and luck around… Other managers would have given up by now or passed blame..

@DickoNortheast: Probably shouldn’t have took their best player off then should he. All things being equal we could have been out of sight in that first half #nufc

@sinceApril1970: Did I just hear him say “that was a stonewall penalty for the assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Gordon. Cannot believe we got away with that”

@Sandance1888: Ive just heard Ange Postecoglou on Talksort saying Spurs were the better team, deserved to win, and implying they were unfairly treated! He’s delusional??! 😂😂😂 That’s the most embarrassing post game interview from a manager I’ve heard in a very long time. #nufc #thfc

@B1g_Spence: So well spoken. Results haven’t been there recently but I can’t remember another coach in my lifetime that was this transparent and open with his thoughts while still being objective and respectful. Hell of a leader #AngeIn #COYS

@monkey1959neil: He is absolutely correct , it was an awful decision and the referee was useless the rest of the game as well

@tomace030: 13 added minutes in the 2nd half seemed more than fair, mate…

@NUFCgallowgate: Grok knows: ‘Postecoglou has faced significant pressure due to Tottenham’s performance, particularly after a series of losses. His emotional response could be linked to the frustration of not meeting expectations or the fans’ and media’s reactions to these results.’

@JonathonTaylor1: ‘Decisions are decisions: you either accept it or you don’t. If we’re going to complain about bad decisions every week what will happen is what happened today: a forensic study of every decision. That’s the way the game’s going. I don’t like it.’ Ange Postecoglu 7/11/23. #TOTNEW

@Firephilo: Big fan of big ange but he’s lost it a bit there. Tough game. His players played well and arguments for both sides about officiating but what is he going on about fair playing ground?!

@Duzman11: Newcastle should have been three goals to the good and had a penalty before Spurs even started trying to play football. Methinks Ange is feeling the pressure a bit.

@7ontheshirt: ‘I grew up to respect the referees’ claims they aren’t fair once he doesn’t get decisions?

@TheArsenal_: This the same Ange who won’t hear a bad word for referees for fear of undermining them – now talking about ‘level playing ground’? Decisions ridiculous but you mustn’t talk about them Ange. Just lap them up. It’s entertaining.

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