Roberto De Zerbi's Spurs remain a point from safety after the draw with Brighton and have a real battle on their hands to avoid relegation from the Premier League
Spurs have been told they should have been awarded a 'definite penalty' in their 2-2 draw with Brighton at the weekend. Former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd felt Roberto De Zerbi's men should have been awarded a spot kick when Destiny Udogie was bundled to the floor just ten minutes into the game.
It could be a decisive moment in the relegation battle after the Spurs defender went down in the box under the challenge of Yankuba Minteh, but no penalty was given.
Instead, referee Stuart Attwell waved away the protests and Jarred Gillet on VAR sided with the official's on-field decision, with the score level at 0-0.
Speaking to Sky Sports Ref Watch, Bothroyd said: "That is a definite penalty, if that happens in the middle of the pitch, it is a definite foul.
"It is a definite penalty, he has come across him, he has done what he is meant to do, he has got his body across and there is contact. And from when there is contact, any contact, and he goes down, it is a penalty. I do not understand why this is not given."
However, former top-flight official Dermot Gallagher explained the decision and said: "The only certainty is the VAR [Jarred Gillet] is not getting involved because whatever the referee [Stuart Attwell] gives, he will stick with.
"It was just a tangle, they felt he was going down early. If the referee gives a penalty, the VAR will still uphold it, but it is on-field call."
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Xavi Simons enjoyed one of his best displays in a Tottenham shirt, providing the opener for Pedro Porro, before a wonder-strike in the second half, which looked as though it was going to be the winner, before Georginio Rutter's late equaliser.
The penalty decision wasn't the only contentious incident in the game, with some Brighton fans questioning why Simons wasn't shown a yellow card for jumping into the crowd to celebrate with the home supporters, while also taking his top off in the celebrations.
"He's committed two offences, but they're both the same," Gallagher said. "Over-celebration of a goal. The directive to referees is try not to penalise for one offence.
"I think the referee has been very sensible. Can you imagine of he had given him a second yellow card? There would be more kick back this morning than there is now.
"In isolation, they are both yellow cards. Because it's all interlinked, there would be so much more [controversy]. I get what people are saying about the emotion. Luckily, he wasn't already on a yellow card."
Bothroyd made his feelings clear and said: "If you send him off for that, it would be ridiculous. It's a rule that should be changed.
"You're jubilant, they are where they are in the league. How can you penalise that?"
West Ham United are in action tonight against Crystal Palace in their game in hand and they could move four points clear of Spurs with a win.