Tottenham fullback Djed Spence took to X to question one major refereeing decision after Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Tottenham Hotspur needed just one point against Chelsea to guarantee their Premier League survival after 18th-placed West Ham failed to win earlier in the weekend.
Instead, Spurs suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge, extending their miserable winless run there to eight years.
Despite the result, Tottenham were arguably the better side for large spells, finishing with more possession, a higher expected goals tally and more chances created.
However, missed opportunities and costly individual mistakes once again proved decisive, meaning Spurs’ relegation fight now heads into the final day of the season.
Another major source of frustration for Tottenham was the officiating. Supporters have voiced concerns over inconsistent refereeing decisions not only in this particular game but also throughout the campaign, and many now believe those moments have played a significant role in Spurs finding themselves in this position.
Now, even the players appear to be losing patience.
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Djed Spence reacts after Liam Delap avoids red card against Tottenham
One of the most controversial moments of the game came late on with Tottenham chasing an equaliser. With just minutes remaining, Chelsea striker Liam Delap challenged Djed Spence while both players were competing for a loose aerial ball during a counter-attack.
Delap appeared to swing an outstretched forearm into Spence’s face despite seemingly having little focus on the ball itself.
The incident immediately angered Tottenham players and supporters, many of whom believed the challenge warranted a straight red card rather than the yellow card shown by referee Stuart Attwell.
Spurs fans argued that the lack of intent to play the ball, combined with the use of the arm to the face, made the decision difficult to understand regardless of the force involved.
Following the match, Djed Spence reacted to the incident on social media by posting slowed-down footage of the challenge alongside a caption filled with laughing emojis, seemingly expressing his disbelief at the decision.
James Maddison also frustrated by Tottenham refereeing decisions
The Delap incident was not the only refereeing flashpoint that left Tottenham furious during the match.
Just minutes earlier, Spurs were denied what many believed was a clear penalty after Marc Cucurella wrestled Micky Van de Ven to the floor inside the Chelsea box during a corner.
Although Cucurella received a yellow card, the referee ordered the corner to be retaken after ruling that the ball was not yet in play when the foul occurred.
That explanation has since been heavily debated, especially after new images emerged appearing to show the ball had already entered play.
James Maddison later admitted his frustration after the game, insisting Tottenham should have been awarded a penalty.
For Spurs supporters, these moments have become part of a wider pattern across the season. Had Tottenham received the penalty against Chelsea, they could have equalised, and the possibility of facing ten men shortly after may have completely changed the outcome of the match.
Instead, Spurs now head into a final-day showdown against Everton still needing a point to secure their Premier League status.