It was a day to savour for the Tottenham fanbase as an emphatic display on Sunday saw them take back to London all three points with a 3-0 score against Man United.
United’s chances of making any kind of comeback in the game were further thrashed when their captain and foremost creative outlet, Bruno Fernandes, was sent off in the 42nd minute for a rash challenge.
After the game, it was revealed that one Tottenham did not exactly agree with the decision.
James Maddison told Bruno Fernandes he shouldn’t have been sent off
After the game, Man United captain Bruno Fernandes told the media that James Maddison did not agree with his red card decision.
“Part of slipping, I don’t take him as everyone wants to see it, I didn’t hit him with my studs, it was my ankle. It’s a clear fall but never a red card, Maddison when he gets up… he said it a foul but it’s never a red card.
“In the eyes of everyone, you can see it’s never a red card. If it is, we have to look at many other incidents, even when I get kicked and everything and I’ve never seen something so quick as a red card. I think it’s never a red card.
“For me, it’s a fall. Even if he wants to give a yellow because even the contact is not that strong. If he wants to give me a yellow for a counter attack then I agree but I don’t understand why VAR doesn’t call the referee to the screen. For me, it’s just not a good decision.”
Fernandes revealing what Maddison told him after the red card, as quoted by Football London.
United’s defeat puts their manager Erik ten Hag under further pressure. The Dutchman is now one of the first picks of the bookmakers for the sack.
For Spurs and Ange Postecoglou, meanwhile, the last couple results have alleviated a lot of pressure in the lead-up to the next international break.
Tottenham face Ferencváros in the Europa League in mid-week before facing Brighton away on Sunday.
Actions have consequences
Fernandes’ challenge was unquestionably a harsh one. If you’re a United fan, you’d be prime to be inclined towards feeling it was not harsh enough, and if you’re a Spurs fan you’d say it was more than harsh.
“We’ve seen them given,” as the saying goes.
It is hard to argue whether United could have actually mounted a comeback if Fernandes remained on the pitch. It is a nice whimsical what-if to ponder on, but based on what we saw last night, it is unlikely.
For Spurs, their woes aren’t exactly over, but at least they can breathe a little more easily for the time being.
