Tottenham appeared to be robbed of a Premier League win at Southampton after having two goals controversially ruled out in their draw at St Mary’s.
Spurs had already come from behind in the first half after James Ward-Prowse fired the hosts in front, only for Mohammed Salisu to be sent off for a second bookable offence and concede a penalty six minutes before the break – one converted by Harry Kane.
Up against 10 men, Spurs were on the chase for a winning goal in the second half and looked to have grabbed their winner in the 67th minute when Fraser Forster clumsily dropped the ball into his own goal.
Matt Doherty (centre left) appeared to do little wrong contending a high ball into the box
But Southampton keeper Fraser Forster fumbled the high cross to then turn into his own goal, only for the referee to controversially blow for a foul against Doherty
Matt Doherty appeared to do little else other than stand his ground in battle with the Saints keeper who made a mess of a high looped in cross from Harry Winks and fumbled the the ball into his own net.
With a foul already given by the referee Anthony Taylor however, VAR was unable to look at the incident again, which could have been overturned in Spurs’ favour.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg said: ‘For me it looks like a coming together of two players. Once Anthony Taylor gives it VAR is not going to interfere but however, I don’t see what Doherty does wrong.
Harry Kane thought he had scored his second goal to give Tottenham the lead at St Mary’s
But the goal was ruled out for offside as Kane argues his case with referee Anthony Taylor
‘Fraser Foster comes into him and I think he drops it. For me, it could have easily been given as a goal but once Anthony gives it, VAR is not going to interfere.’
Spurs had also found the net earlier in the second half through Kane, who had seemed to net his second goal of the match eight minutes after the break.
However, the striker was controversially flagged offside, even though replays appeared to suggest only his arm was beyond the defensive line – making him onside.
Mohammed Salisu was sent off before half-time for a second yellow giving Spurs an advantage
Kane struck the resulting penalty given them impetus to chase a second half victory
But Antonio Conte saw his team fall short, even if his undefeated domestic start at Tottenham remains in tact after his first seven league games on the toucline
Despite their domination, Spurs could not make the most of the extra man in the second half and will have left the south coast fuming at not having taken the full three points.
Spurs though do still have two games in hand on rivals Arsenal and victory in both of those matches would see them climb into fourth in their battle to reach the Champions League next term.
The north London outfit have made an excellent start under Antonio Conte, who set a record in becoming the first Spurs boss in history to go undefeated in his first seven league games as manager.
