Roberto De Zerbi said referee Jarred Gillett was “not calm” in Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United, after VAR decisions dominated the headlines following West Ham’s game.
Leeds were awarded a penalty after VAR advised Gillett to review Mathys Tel’s high boot that caught Ethan Ampadu in the head.
After a lengthy on-field check, Gillett overturned his initial decision and pointed to the spot.
“I think they were not calm today, maybe they suffered the pressure of yesterday’s Arsenal game,” De Zerbi said.
“For sure we suffered the pressure today. We didn’t play with passion with the ball, too frenetic.
But also the referee was not calm today.
“I can’t understand the polemic about yesterday’s VAR because it was 200 per cent a foul, not 100 per cent, 200 per cent.”
And when Tel put the hosts ahead with a spectacular finish, Spurs looked on course to open up a four-point gap that would have moved them close to safety.
Instead, Tel’s reckless attempt at an overhead kick in his own penalty area gave away a needless penalty, which Calvert-Lewin put away emphatically.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s penalty cancelled out Tel’s opener at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Also read: SACKED! Why Tottenham Axed Thomas Frank After Spurs Results Sink
Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher said De Zerbi would have to park any frustration with Tel, given the youngster’s impact since the new head coach arrived.
“De Zerbi will be furious, but he’s got to remember he’s a young attacking player who has actually made a massive difference to Spurs right now,” Carragher said.
With two games left, Spurs sit 2 points above the relegation zone.
They are battling West Ham for survival but hold a significantly better goal difference.
