Tottenham Hotspur: Craig Pawson error costs Antonio Conte’s side?

Tottenham Hotspur’s chances of securing Champions League football next season were dented yesterday as they faltered in the lunchtime kick off.

Antonio Conte’s side put in a sorry performance against Brighton & Hove Albion, falling to a 1-0 defeat late on. Belgian wideman Leandro Trossard popped up in the 90^th minute to prod the ball home beyond Hugo Lloris to steal the points.

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Although the performance will be a worry to Conte and Spurs supporters, the refereeing decisions of Craig Pawson will also have enraged those connected to Spurs.

Enock Mwepu may feel fortunate to have not cost his side in the first half of the game in North London after a high-foot incident involving Ben Davies was then followed up with a late challenge on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

And despite already being on a yellow card, Pawson waved away both incidents which clearly left Graham Potter concerned as he took the midfielder off at half-time.

Journalist Charlie Eccleshare was keen to point out how fortunate Mwepu was to stay on the pitch after avoiding a second booking:

“Mwepu very lucky to escape a second booking there. (Reguilon similarly fortunate not to get a yellow a few mins before). Wonder if Potter takes Mwepu off at HT. Next foul he’s surely off.”

TIF thoughts on the Mwepu situation…

You can see why the Spurs fans will likely be furious. If Brighton were reduced to 10 men just before the break, you would fully expect it to have made Spurs’ task easier.

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The anger felt by Spurs fans will be amplified too with the result as when you lose and you feel key decisions have gone against your team it feels like a major injustice. Although from Eccleshare’s comments, it sounds like he was consistent with his decisions for both teams.

It wouldn’t be helped by the fact their main rivals to finish in the top four, Arsenal, also lost yesterday so it was a missed chance for Spurs to extend their lead over their North London rivals.

In other news, journalist reveals damning Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg claim