Mark Clattenburg has his say on Tottenham Hotspur’s first goal against West Ham

Tottenham picked up their first win in eight matches in all competitions on Tuesday, defeating London rivals West Ham United 2-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

A vital result in the race for the top four, Tottenham took the lead through a Tomas Soucek’s own goal in the second half, before Harry Kane rounded off the win, finishing with composure in a one-on-one situation.

A good win no doubt, but there was a tinge of controversy surrounding Spurs’ first goal on the night. In the buildup to Soucek’s own goal, the ball seemed to have struck the arm of our defender Davinson Sanchez who was in the box. The referee failed to spot it, while the VAR also allowed it to stand.

However, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has claimed that the goal shouldn’t have stood. In his column for the Daily Mail, he wrote:

“West Ham can count themselves unlucky that this own goal by Tomas Soucek stood with VAR failing to rule it out for a Tottenham handball. We may have felt it harsh to disallow but that’s the law, and West Ham will feel hard done by. “

There was another incident prior to that where the VAR was called upon. In the first-half Son Heung-min found the back of the net. But the goal was chalked off for offside. Clattenburg, claiming that while it was a tight call, said the right decision was made. (h/t Daily Mail)

“For Son Heung-min’s disallowed goal, it was tight, but it was a good offside call.”

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West Ham manager David Moyes was furious after the game over the call made by VAR, David Coote.

Nevertheless, the three points means Tottenham are now within just six points of Chelsea in fourth place, who will be facing Manchester City next.