ROBERTO DE ZEBRI RAGES OVER 'NOT CALM' REFEREE AS TOTTENHAM BOSS QUESTIONS CRUTIAL VAR CALLS IN LEEDS DRAW

 

Getty Images Sport

Tottenham Hotspur missed a golden opportunity to pull away from the Premier League relegation zone after being held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds United. Following a game defined by spectacular goals and controversial VAR interventions, head coach Roberto De Zerbi suggested the officiating was influenced by the high-stakes nature of the survival battle.

Tel goes from hero to villain

Tottenham appeared set to move four points clear of 18th-placed West Ham when Mathys Tel opened the scoring with a sublime 20-yard curling effort shortly after half-time. However, the young Frenchman's afternoon soured when a reckless attempted bicycle kick inside his own area caught Ethan Ampadu, leading to a penalty after a VAR review. Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted the spot-kick to earn Leeds a point, while Spurs were ultimately indebted to goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky for a stunning late save that prevented a total collapse.

Getty Images Sport

De Zerbi questions officials

De Zerbi was clearly irked by the officiating, specifically regarding a late penalty shout for James Maddison that was ignored despite a VAR check. Regarding the referee's performance, the Italian told BBC Match of the Day: "The VAR in West Ham-Arsenal was a foul, it was clear. Today, I did not see honestly. I didn't watch the Maddison penalty, maybe yes, maybe no. I heard my assistant but I don't want to come inside a polemic. The referee was not calm today. Maybe he felt the pressure of yesterday? He is human and it can happen, but no problem. He was good on the pitch. We prepare the next two games."

Focus on survival performance

The result leaves Tottenham just two points above the drop zone, failing to fully capitalise on West Ham's recent controversial loss against Arsenal. Discussing the performance and the relegation fight, De Zerbi said: "I think we have to consider the result but we have to consider the performance. We played a good game, we are making points, in the last four games we made eight points. Congratulations to Leeds, they played a great game, they have to play the last game at West Ham and we've no doubt that they will play the same way."

- Adhe Makayasa

DECLAN RICE RED CARD: ARSENAL - BRIGHTON AUDIO SHOWS REF ANGST

Premier League referee Chris Kavanagh conceded he "didn't like" showing Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice a red card for kicking the ball away during the draw against Brighton last month, but had no choice.

The audio of the incident was released on Tuesday in the first episode of the Premier League's "Match Officials Mic'd Up" in which former referee Howard Webb joined former England striker Michael Owen to discuss five on-field decisions.

In it, Kavanagh is heard talking to his assistants via his microphone, saying "I don't like it, but he's knocked the ball."

Rice, who had already been booked, tapped the ball away from Joël Veltman to delay the taking of a free-kick. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta afterwards said he was "amazed" that the England midfielder had been shown a second yellow card.

Kavanagh was clearly uncomfortable with the decision he had to make, but said he was put in a difficult situation.

"Second yellow, for me. I had no choice, he knocks the ball away. As [Veltman's] about to kick it, he knocks the ball," he is heard to say. "I have no choice. He's put me in an awful position. Dec, you need to go I'm afraid."

The Premier League hope the show will help fans understand the processes involved in decision-making by on-field and VAR officials, following intense criticism last season.

Webb, who is the chief operating officer of referees' body the PGMOL, agreed that Kavanagh was correct to send off Rice.

"We've messaged very clearly and strongly to the players in pre-season around the importance of not getting involved with the ball once the whistle is gone, not delaying the restart in that way," Webb said.

"Once he's seen Declan Rice deliberately, clearly kick that ball away from the position of that free-kick, then I don't think he's got any choice."

Arteta was also annoyed that Brighton forward Joao Pedro had escaped a yellow card for delaying the restart in the first half, and Webb conceded he should have been booked.

"Of course, he [Pedro] should have been cautioned here," Webb admitted. "The officials on the field gave him too much benefit of doubt, feeling that the actions weren't really impactful because they felt that the Arsenal players were not ready to take that throw-in."

Among the other incidents discussed was a penalty that was awarded to Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin against Brighton by referee Simon Hooper but overturned after VAR invited the referee to review the incident.

Footage showed Calvert-Lewin had actually trodden on the foot of a Brighton defender Lewis Dunk, not the other way round.

"Sometimes the referee's call will be clearly and obviously wrong and in this case it was," Webb said.

"So that's a good example of a situation where the referee's call was wrong and it needed intervention by the VAR."

Webb did admit that VAR Tim Robinson was wrong to disallowed Dango Ouattara's stoppage time winner for AFC Bournemouth against Newcastle United for handball.

"In this situation, the ball strikes Ouattara's shoulder, upper-arm area." Webb explained. "It's hard to be totally conclusive as to exactly where. I don't think that's conclusive enough to intervene."

Information from ESPN's Dale Johnson contributed to this report.

- 

TRANSFER TALKS; CHELSEA CONSIDER LATE MOVE FOR IVAN TONY

Ivan Toney has been linked with Chelsea, Al Ahli and Arsenal during this transfer window. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

TOP STORY: Chelsea to battle Al Ahli for Toney

Chelsea are preparing to step up their interest in Brentford striker Ivan Toney, according to the Standard

.The Blues are said to want to make a move for the 28-year-old before the transfer window closes on Friday, though they will not be able to meet the reported salary offer proposed to him by Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli of £16 million per year. It is believed that the Bees are open to parting ways with Toney if they receive an offer close to £40m.

Signing a striker for manager Enzo Maresca's side remains a priority for the Stamford Bridge hierarchy this summer, and they are also interested in Napoli forward Victor Osimhen, says Gianluca Di Marzio. Chelsea are expected to make their first official offer for the 25-year-old Nigeria international in the coming days, amid anticipation of competition from Paris Saint-Germain. As with Toney, Al Ahli are also reportedly in the running for Osimhen, having already made an offer worth €70m to Napoli.

Chelsea secured their first win of the Premier League season with a 6-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Sunday.

PAPER GOSSIP

- An agreement has been reached between Bayern Munich and Al Ahli for winger Kingsley Coman, says Sky Sports Deutschland's Florian Plettenberg. A move is believed to now hinge on whether the 28-year-old is open to the switch to the Saudi Pro League, after it was reported that the Bundesliga club were open to parting ways with him.

- Liverpool are looking to offer Juventus winger Federico Chiesa a four-year contract until the summer of 2028, reports the Athletic. Talks are believed to have been continuing between the Reds and the Bianconeri after the Premier League club made an initial approach, and it looks as though negotiations over personal terms with the 26-year-old's representatives are also underway.

- Manchester United and Newcastle United are considering a late move for Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, according to Football Insider. The 27-year-old entered the final 12 months of his contract this summer, and after the Toffees previously dismissed interest in him, the latest indicates that both clubs could be set to return and test the waters again. He has also previously been linked with Chelsea.

- Talks between AS Monaco and former Liverpool centre-back Joël Matip have broken down, according to Foot Mercato. The Ligue 1 club are reported to have made an approach to sign the 33-year-old as a free agent, but it is said that they believe his salary demands were too high for them to meet. Matip has been a free agent since his contract expired at Anfield in July.

- A loan deal has been agreed between Bayer Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain for defender Nordi Mukiele, says Fabrizio Romano. The 26-year-old is reported to be set to undergo his medical with the Bundesliga side, who have agreed to cover his salary in full until the end of the season. It is said that there is no permanent option clause included as part of the agreement.

- Adam Brown

ARSENAL FOOTBALL CLUB WANTS STRICKER DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN

Arsenal Football Club have set their "Eagle eyes" on Dominic Calvert-Lewin sticker from #EFC for the summer transfer.

A reportedly 60 million pounds will be set aside for the deal. 

It now seems that Alexandre Lacazette is set to depart on a free transfer.