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Tottenham star labels the Premier League a 'zoo' and 'boring to watch' with its heavy focus on set pieces - as rivals Arsenal sit top of the table

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Tottenham star labels the Premier League a 'zoo' and 'boring to watch' with its heavy focus on set pieces - as rivals Arsenal sit top of the table - Daily Mail
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The Premier League has come under criticism from one of its own players amid the current trend of set-piece importance.

Dominant league leaders Arsenal have come under-fire from outsiders for their set-piece focus - with Mikel Arteta's side having scored 19 goals directly from this (corners, free-kicks and/or throw-ins).

That tally is the most in the English top-flight this season with Newcastle second on the list, having scored five fewer set-pieces.

Tottenham are among a cluster of teams who have scored 13 set-pieces this season, but their forward Mathys Tel is not a fan of the style of football.

Speaking on the Zack Nani Foot & Live podcast, Tel didn't hold back - brandishing the Premier League as a 'zoo'.

'I'll tell you the truth, yes, it's [the Premier League] not a spectacle,' he said. 'It's boring to watch; it's really just a clash between two teams with their own ideas.

'There's less flair, no Vinicius pulling off a sombrero flick, no dribbling, no Kylian (Mbappe) unleashing a burst of speed.

'I'd say it's more structured, perhaps too much so, with clear strategies, all those set pieces, little details that can sometimes make the difference. But sometimes, you might think it's just too much.'

'The scuffles in the box in front of the goalkeepers? I told the assistant coach in charge of set pieces: "Don't put me on the marking". Because it's a zoo!

'We're all stuck together, everyone's pushing each other, throwing each other to the ground, holding on… Forget it. The goalkeeper can't get out, he can't see.'

Thankfully for Tel, Tottenham's next match isn't in the Premier League as they travel to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night.

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Tim Sherwood tears into 'lost' Igor Tudor: Ex-Spurs star warns club WILL be relegated unless stubborn interim boss changes his ways and questions his style as fears of the drop grow

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Tim Sherwood tears into 'lost' Igor Tudor: Ex-Spurs star warns club WILL be relegated unless stubborn interim boss changes his ways and questions his style as fears of the drop grow - Daily Mail
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Tim Sherwood believes the reality of the Premier League has 'slapped' Tottenham interim boss Igor Tudor 'in the face', following a catastrophic start to his temporary stint at the helm.

The former Juventus boss was appointed Spurs boss until the end of the season in early February, with the north London club sitting just five points above the relegation zone.

However, hopes of a new manager bounce have failed to come to fruition. Tottenham have lost all three of their league matches under Tudor since his arrival, and are hovering just one point above West Ham, who sit 18th in the top flight.

Alarm bells are now very much ringing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium amid fears of relegation, and Sherwood has taken issue with Tudor's disappointing start.

'I think he's been slapped straight in the face by the competition in the Premier League,' Sherwood told Sky Sports.

'It ain't easy. This is a tough competition. He looks lost at times on the touchline; he knew nothing about it.'

Spurs have nine games left to avoid the unthinkable and battle off the resurgent Nottingham Forest and West Ham, who have both gained momentum in the relegation fight in the past week.

And with Tottenham spiralling toward the drop, Sherwood believes Tudor needs to change his authoritarian approach and adopt a more gentle touch.

He added: 'He's gone from, "I 100 per cent guarantee we spend next season in the Premier League", to, "the players are not fit enough, we're not good in attack, we're not good in the middle, we're not good at the back, we need our injured players back to fitness".

'You've got to get on with what you've got. Forget all that nonsense. Concentrate on the players who are fit at the moment and try and give them a lift.

'You don't get that [new manager] bounce by having a stick and whacking them with it. Not if the downside looks like relegation.

'You have to give them a cuddle. You have to find the best solution. You have to give them an easy solution to how we're going to play. This is how we play.'

If things are to go even further south for Spurs than they already are, then club legend Glenn Hoddle has thrown his hat into the ring to save Tottenham by returning to the dugout.

Speaking on Could It Be Magic, the FA Cup podcast sponsored by Carling, before the Palace defeat, the 68-year-old was asked if returning to management appealed to him.

'I think it would actually,' he said. 'Particularly with Tottenham, as that's my club. I've supported them since I was eight years of age. So they were a massive part of my life.'

Hoddle was previously in charge of Spurs between 2001 and 2003, having already coached England and Chelsea. Though he enjoyed a couple of cup runs, mid-table finishes in the top flight led to his sacking.

'I managed them probably at the wrong time, I've got to say,' he added. 'Let's put it that way.

'Politically and financially, there wasn't money there. Certainly, it wasn't what they told me I was going into.'

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Furious Tottenham fans slam club for selling 'Spursy' t-shirts in official shop - as club battle against relegation from Premier League

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Furious Tottenham fans slam club for selling 'Spursy' t-shirts in official shop - as club battle against relegation from Premier League - Daily Mail
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Tottenham fans have accused the ownership of disrespecting the club by selling t-shirts with the word 'Spursy' emblazoned on the front.

The white top with the 'Spursy' label and Nike branding is available for £30 from the club's official store.

Rival supporters often use 'Spursy' as a term to insult Tottenham, particularly after crumbling in high-pressure situations such as the Champions League final.

But the club actually brought out the shirt in the summer to reclaim the term after winning the Europa League, and even James Maddison has enjoyed wearing it.

Now, fans are reacting negatively to it as the club are in genuine threat of being relegated - perhaps one of the Spursiest things imaginable after a £145million summer net spend.

'It seems like the owners and the hierarchy don't actually respect the club,' a Tottenham fan called James told Daily Mail Sport.

'Imagine Arsenal making a shirt that had "bottlers" on it.

'The game's gone.'

Meanwhile, a Spurs supporter told The Sun: 'That T-shirt’s self-sabotage.'

'I’m fuming. It’s the kind of thing you’d see in Arsenal’s shop.'

Another added: 'It makes fun of the supporters, club and team and that’s not right.'

Daily Mail Sport has made contact with other Tottenham fans in a bid to ascertain their views.

Last year, a Swedish politician wielded the 'Spursy' term in a bizarre parliamentary speech.

Mikael Damberg said Sweden have 'squandered opportunities' for their economy to prosper, despite having the perfect conditions to deliver success - much like Spurs, in the politician's view.

The north Londoners found themselves deep in a relegation battle last season, despite boasting a stunning new stadium and arguably the best training facilities in world football.

'I naturally think of Tottenham Hotspur, also known as Spurs, it is one of England's most distinguished and rich clubs with an enormous stadium, dedicated and large supporter base - everything to be considered a "top team,"' he told the Swedish chamber.

'Despite this, Tottenham find themselves in crisis. They are fighting at the bottom of the table, just a few points above the relegation zone. Not because they lack resources or benefits, but because they have squandered opportunities.

'Due to making wrong decisions, general jerkiness and thinking in the short-term, they have lost their direction and stability.'

'The club have been given the name 'Spursy', [which is] when you have opportunities but get no results. Madame Speaker that is precisely how the Minister of Finance is handling the Swedish economy.

'Sweden has the power, ability and resources. We have the companies, workforce and innovation capabilities. Conditions exist for the Swedish economy to prosper.'

He added: 'The government risks making Sweden 'Spursy'. That won't do. Sweden cannot perform like Tottenham.'

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Jamie O'Hara WALKS OFF his radio show set as Tottenham fans are relentlessly mocked while plunging towards Premier League relegation with a string of memes and jokes

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Jamie O'Hara WALKS OFF his radio show set as Tottenham fans are relentlessly mocked while plunging towards Premier League relegation with a string of memes and jokes - Daily Mail
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Tottenham have been ruthlessly and gleefully mocked online, with talkSPORT presenter and ex-Spurs man Jamie O'Hara savagely feeling the heat.

Crystal Palace's 3-1 win at Spurs, plunging the north London club deeper into their relegation crisis was a new nadir for the club on Thursday night.

Opposition supporters wasted absolutely no time in mercilessly teasing the embattled club and while most were able to turn off their TV and scream into the abyss, O'Hara had to front up on his radio show.

Co-host and Chelsea fan Jason Cundy, wearing an Ange Postecoglou mask even managed to push O'Hara's buttons to the point of him walking out of the studio.

O'Hara said: 'I know you're laughing and joking mate but seriously...'

Cundy probed: 'Tudor has had three games, give him time on the training ground, it's not his fault is it?'

O'Hara asked: 'Do you think he's good enough?'

When Cundy replied in the affirmative and quipped that he'd 'seen signs', his irritated colleague and friend said it was 'pointless' doing a show with him, called him an 'idiot' and walked off set.

Fellow talkSPORT pundit and former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor also had a pop online.

He posted the viral clip of O'Hara's appearance on an American dating show in which his identity as a former footballer had been concealed until the big reveal with a woman.

Agbonlahor captioned it: 'Spurs players on holiday in the summer trying to explain playing in the Championship next season. LOL!!!!'

The video shows O'Hara telling his love interest: 'Actually, I'm a really famous soccer player from England.'

The taunting was not just limited to O'Hara, however, with plenty of opposition supporters sticking the knife in online and Paddy Power also taunting Spurs.

Replying to a 2023 post from a Spurs account on X talking up signing Guglielmo Vicario over David Raya, they wrote: 'Aged like milk in a sauna.'

Another from the bookmaker went: 'The cameraman picking out miserable Spurs fans in the crowd deserves an Oscar.'

Football influencer Expressions, who is a Spurs fan and live streams his reaction to games, joined in the misery, calling Haringey Council's Social Services to report the 'child abuse' of the fans.

The TNT Sport cameramen repeatedly picked out Spurs fans looking disconsolate in the stands, much to the enjoyment of rival supporters tuning in out of morbid fascination.

One was picked out at the end of the game sitting in isolation after most had long since departed.

When he saw himself appear on camera he immediately stuck up a middle finger.

Another fan posted a clip of 'one of our best set-pieces of the season, showing Xavi Simons lining it up before inexplicably passing the ball to a Crystal Palace player.

Another replied to the news of next season's Championship changing the play-offs from four to six teams next season.

They joked: 'Finally some good news for Spurs.'

Championship-related gags were a running theme, with another user sharing a clip of Keir Starmer speaking after Labour won the election, saying: 'What a night they had in Plymouth and then Stoke,' in reference to the unglamorous away days Spurs might have to encounter next term.

'Man who thought he'd lost all hope loses last additional bit of hope he didn't even know he still had,' was another meme shared.

Spurs are now just one point above the relegation zone with nine games remaining this season.

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Tottenham 1-3 Crystal Palace: Spurs serve a masterclass in self-destruction to plunge deeper into relegation crisis, writes MATT BARLOW - Igor Tudor has made north Londoners MORE shambolic and his day

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Tottenham 1-3 Crystal Palace: Spurs serve a masterclass in self-destruction to plunge deeper into relegation crisis, writes MATT BARLOW - Igor Tudor has made north Londoners MORE shambolic and his days may be numbered - Daily Mail
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These being Tudor times they will demand more heads must roll. Only three games in charge and the interim boss appears to have made Tottenham more shambolic than they were before.

Three games, three defeats. Having lost to rivals from the north and west of London it was the turn of the south, with Crystal Palace kicking Spurs further towards relegation trouble.

Oliver Glasner's team were grateful for three points, but they did not have to work too hard because this was a masterclass in self-destruction by the home team.

Looking back from half time it was hard to believe Spurs had taken the lead in the 34th minute. Dominic Solanke found the net from a low cross by Archie Gray soon after a VAR escape and the noise levels were off the scale inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Four minutes later, Micky van de Ven was sent off for pulling back Ismaila Sarr when he was through on goal. Sarr equalised from the penalty spot and panic took hold.

Interim boss Igor Tudor could only look on from the touchline with a glazed expression. No doubt wondering what on earth he had walked into. There certainly appears to be little he can do to arrest this slide.

The question is, is there anyone who can? Harry Redknapp to the rescue? Well, it can hardly get much worse.

Palace toyed with Spurs for the rest of the first half. Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada dominated the midfield. Those in white played as if petrified. Think England against Iceland when paralysed by fear.

Mathys Tel, who had started the game well, played a loose pass to Pape Matar Sarr, enabling Evan Guessand to win the ball. Guessand moved it quickly to Wharton, who threaded it into the feet of Jorgen Strang Larsen, and he scored.

Spurs needed the interval at this point, but Palace struck again as eight minutes of stoppage time was added on.

Again, a goal of staggering simplicity against a back three of Pedro Porro, Ken Danso and Joao Palhinha.

Wharton the supplier, Palace's Sarr scored his second. It would have been a first half hat trick but for a marginal offside call when the contest was still goalless.

Sarr had sped onto a Guessand pass and his low shot from an angle spun high off Porro as he made a desperate attempt at a block, over stranded goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and dropped inside the far post.

There was a long VAR stoppage as Palace fans sang, 'It's not football anymore' and it was hard to disagree when referee Andy Madley ruled out the goal, and an image came up on the big screen.

Both Sarr's feet were behind the ball, but he was leaning forward and his forehead had broken the animated offside line.

It seemed like an escape when Gray and Solanke, two players who did come out with a modicum of credit, combined to score, but Van de Ven's red card, similar to the one shown to Palace's Maxence Lacroix at Manchester United on Sunday, was the catalyst for the great unravelling.

As the half time whistle sounded there were few Spurs fans left in their seats. Some did not return. Those who remained booed the players down the tunnel. Some in the West Stand vented their anger at chief executive Vinai Venkatesham in the directors' box.

Tudor had come into the game wielding his axe again. There were four changes to the team he accused of 'lacking' in all areas at Fulham on Sunday.

There was another change of shape, abandoning the 4-4-2 and returning to the back three deployed in his first game with a defensive line set extremely deep.

The anxiety of the occasion, with West Ham's win at Fulham and Nottingham Forest's unexpected point at Manchester City reeling Spurs towards the bottom three. It bled into the football. The first half hour was terribly disjointed albeit with Palace on top. Wharton tested Vicario within a minute.

Souza, making his first start since signing from Santos in January, suffered a torrid first 10 minutes until his awful late tackle left Daniel Munoz in a heap.

Munoz tried to continue but had injured his shoulder in the fall and struggled off down the tunnel with less than a quarter of an hour played. His exit brought respite for Souza until he was substituted before half time as Tudor reshuffled after the Van de Ven red card.

Spurs were more competitive when they returned. Tudor it seemed had got some sort of message through to them. They fought and won corners and put the visitors under some pressure.

Palace's depleted and inexperienced back three resisted where Spurs could not. When they got through, Henderson stood firm. The England goalkeeper made a fine save from Solanke when a goal would have recharged the home crowd.

As it was, the fans in the away end were the only ones having fun, taunting Spurs with the songs about relegation and the prospect of a trip to Millwall. If Millwall don't get promoted, that is.

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Tottenham vs Crystal Palace - Premier League LIVE: Latest score and updates as Jorgen Strand Larsen puts visitors ahead in chaotic first half to deepen crisis for Igor Tudor

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Tottenham vs Crystal Palace - Premier League LIVE: Latest score and updates as Jorgen Strand Larsen puts... - Daily Mail
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Follow Daily Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Tottenham host Crystal Palace at the Tottenham Stadium in the Premier League, with Matt Barlow reporting from the grounds.

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Furious Tottenham fans abandon team BEFORE half-time after disastrous opening 45 minutes sees Igor Tudor's side ship THREE goals and reduced to ten men as relegation crisis deepens

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Furious Tottenham fans abandon team BEFORE half-time after disastrous opening 45 minutes sees Igor Tudor's side ship THREE goals and reduced to ten men as relegation crisis deepens - Daily Mail
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Angry Spurs fans voted with their feet as thousands walked out after their struggling side shipped three goals and were reduced to 10 men in a calamitous first half against Crystal Palace.

TV footage showed hordes of supporters heading for the exits at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with their team losing 3-1 as Igor Tudor's relegation-threatened team plumbed new depths.

Dominic Solanke put Spurs ahead before the match took a turn for the worse for the majority of fans inside the ground four minutes later.

Micky van de Ven was shown a straight red card after pulling back Ismaila Sarr, who converted the resulting penalty to level for the visitors.

Palace then took full advantage of having the extra man as Jorgen Strand Larsen gave Oliver Glasner's men a 2-1 lead before Sarr scored again in stoppage time.

Spurs will be just one point clear of the relegation zone if they go on to lose to Palace after West Ham beat Fulham and Nottingham Forest held Manchester City to a draw on Wednesday.

Tudor sent his Spurs players back out for the second half early but they were greeted by thousands of empty seats vacated by fans who had seen enough.

Tottenham only survived going behind early on when Sarr was narrowly adjudged to have been offside before his strike looped up and over Guglielmo Vicario.

Their hopes of securing a huge win in their battle to avoid the embarrassment of dropping into the Championship were given a boost when Solanke converted at the near post after 34 minutes.

But it was to prove a fleeting moment of joy for Spurs as Van de Ven was given a straight red for his challenge on Sarr when the Palace star appeared to be clean through on goal.

Strand Larsen, a £45million signing from Wolves in January, put Palace in front with a clever finish before Sarr latched on to Adam Wharton's pinpoint pass and nudged the ball beyond Vicario to give the visitors a two-goal advantage.

Spurs' 2-1 defeat at Fulham stretched their dismal run to 10 without a win and they are yet to record a victory in 2026.

The club sacked Thomas Frank in February after two wins in 17 Premier League games left them 16th in the table, with Tudor replacing the Dane as head coach until the end of the season.

Spurs face Forest, Leeds and Championship-bound Wolves in their last nine matches but also travel to Liverpool, Aston Villa and Chelsea.

They have enjoyed success in the Champions League despite their domestic issues and travel to Spain to face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday.

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Relegation fears mount as 7/5 favourites Tottenham face Crystal Palace in a high-stakes clash

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Relegation fears mount as 7/5 favourites Tottenham face Crystal Palace in a high-stakes clash - Daily Mail
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Tottenham Hotspur go into tonight’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace in a surprisingly tense situation - fighting to avoid being dragged deeper into the relegation battle.

Sitting just one point above the drop zone, every match now carries huge importance for the north London side if they are to secure their top-flight status.

Despite their struggles, Spurs are tipped to claim a much-needed victory on home soil, while the hosts are priced at 7/5 according to Sky Bet.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are slight outsiders at 15/8, with the draw available at 12/5.

Spurs edged the reverse fixture earlier this season, when a goal from Archie Gray secured a narrow 1–0 victory at Selhurst Park back in December.

In addition to the head-to-head odds outlined above, Sky Bet are offering four Price Boosts for this contest.

They include Ismaila Sarr to have a shot on target at 1/1, Jorgen Strand Larsen to score 1+ goals at 15/8, Radu Dragusin to commit 2+ fouls at 3/1, and each team to have 6+ shots on target at 9/1.

Sarr has had six shots on target in his last six Premier League matches, while Strand Larsen has scored two goals in his last three games.

Additionally, Dragusin has committed seven fouls in his last three league matches.

Sky Bet odds in Full-time Result market for Tottenham vs Crystal Palace:

Tottenham 7/5

Crystal Palace 15/8

Draw 12/5

Sky Bet Price Boosts for Tottenham vs Crystal Palace:

Ismaila Sarr to have a shot on target WAS 8/11 NOW 1/1

Jorgen Strand Larsen to score 1+ goals WAS 7/4 NOW 15/8

Radu Dragusin to commit 2+ fouls WAS 9/4 NOW 3/1

Each team to have 6+ shots on target WAS 15/2 NOW 9/1

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Premier League boss considering new deal in blow to Spurs and Crystal Palace after insisting he is 'very happy' at current club

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Premier League boss considering new deal in blow to Spurs and Crystal Palace after insisting he is 'very happy' at current club - Daily Mail
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Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is contemplating signing a new contract at the club.

The 43-year-old's current deal runs out this summer and Bournemouth have been keen to tie the Spaniard down as he continues to help them punch above their weight in the Premier League.

Crystal Palace and Tottenham are among a long list of admirers from the Premier League and abroad who would consider the Basque tactician this summer as they weigh up candidates for their managerial position.

However, it is understood Iraola is leaning towards extending his stay as Bournemouth's hierarchy continue attempts to persuade him.

Although they have raised over £300million in player sales, Bournemouth have also invested £390m over the past three seasons and are continuing attempts to keep their squad competitive and match Iraola's ambitions. They are also spending £50m to expand the Vitality Stadium.

Talking earlier this week, he said: 'I'm very happy here, not just now but since the beginning of my stay here. I always say I come to work with a smile and that is very important to me.

'I have a great relationship not only with the players but with the club, with the staff. Everyone is very helpful. I'm really happy.

'The other is a matter of talking to the club. Sooner or later we will have to make a decision, yes.'

Bournemouth were considered in a relegation battle in early January but their form has improved, despite the sale of key forward Antoine Semenyo, with a nine-game unbeaten run leaving them ninth in the Premier League and eight points off Liverpool in fifth, keeping hopes of European qualification alive.

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Tottenham launch official complaint over 'inconsistent refereeing' as incensed relegation-threatened strugglers bemoan controversial decisions

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Tottenham launch official complaint over 'inconsistent refereeing' as incensed relegation-threatened strugglers bemoan controversial decisions - Daily Mail
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Tottenham have contacted the head of refereeing governing body Howard Webb over perceived inconsistencies in officiating in the Premier League that the north London club feel have hampered them as they prepare for a relegation battle.

As per BBC Sport, the club are believed to have reached out with a message that speaks to their belief that Spurs are being judged differently over similar offences in the six-yard box.

In the north London derby last month, Randal Kolo Muani's goal which would have made it 2-2 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was ruled out when a VAR review found that the striker had pushed Gabriel Magalhaes in the back.

But on Sunday, as Spurs lost 2-1 to Fulham, Harry Wilson's opener was allowed to stand despite jostling in the box which saw Raul Jimenez fell Radu Dragusin with a similar two-handed push.

The contact between the two players was deemed not to have met the necessary threshold for a foul, which would have ruled the goal out, with a comparison between the incident believed to have been cited by Spurs.

Spurs are said to have included referee Peter Bankes' words, broadcast in Match Officials Mic'd Up, on the incident between Kolo Muani and Gabriel, where the official explained: 'Once you see two hands in live play, it looks like a push, a clear push. I was more than happy that the two hands on the back had enough impact and was an offence'.

The club are also thought to have included the example of Nick Woltemade's goal against Arsenal last year, which saw the German forward tussle with Gabriel in the build-up to a goal, which was allowed to stand.

Spurs' interim head coach Igor Tudor was incensed by the officiating on Sunday, labelling Jimenez a 'cheat' as he stressed after the final whistle that 'of course' the wrong decision had been made for Fulham's opener.

'Sometimes they don’t understand even small contact is enough if it gives you advantage to score the goal,' Tudor continued.

'It’s not a normal duel when he’s soft. He pushes with the hands and doesn’t watch the ball. Sometimes it’s just easy to get advantage. So, this is ridiculous to not give the foul, because the consequence is too big. It’s not a small foul in the middle of the pitch, it is a goal after.

'Let’s play strong in the duels, fantastic, I like it, but he takes an advantage, he is not thinking about football, not thinking about the ball, he was thinking how to cheat.

'So, he cheated by pushing and they scored the goal. So, it’s logic, he is cheating and there’s the foul.'

Marginal officiating controversies could in turn have seismic consequences for Spurs, as last year's Europa League winners prepare to fight to stay in the Premier League next season.

Spurs sit in 16th place, but just four points above West Ham in 18th.

Appointed following the sacking of Thomas Frank, Tudor has suffered back-to-back defeats to begin his time in north London, but will look to pick up important points against Crystal Palace at home on Thursday.

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