Ange Postecoglou responds to Jordan Ayew handball shouts in Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur were cruising to a clean sheet and a well-deserved 2-0 win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Friday.
An own goal from Joel Ward and a 66th-minute strike from Son Heung-min to score his eighth goal of the season set us on our way. The defence already played pretty well.
But a stoppage-time goal from Jordan Ayew spoilt the Spurs’ fans mood to some extent. Ayew seemed to have used his hand when controlling a lofted pass into the box.
On first look, and on replays, there was a feeling that he may have touched it with his hand but the referees all agreed that the goal should stand. And it did, taking a clean sheet away from Tottenham’s defence.
Hard luck for Spurs
Ange Postecoglou was asked to give his verdict on the incident after the game. The Australian-Greek manager said that he preferred not to say anything as he was confused as to what the handball rule really meant.
He told BBC MOTD:
“I am not going to talk about handball. I have no idea what is a handball.”
A clean sheet is a tangible way for the defenders and the goalkeepers to take something away from the game for their efforts. The decision would have been even more controversial had it cost us points.
But at the end of the day, all that mattered was a win. Goal difference, though, is an important thing and it could be down to fine margins come the end of the season.
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But there is a bit of luck involved in every game of football. As long as we won the game, that too in a daunting away ground, it shouldn’t bother us too much. We are five points clear at the top after 10 games, and that should now be the point of discussion.
