Dele Alli scored a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw Watford but confusion surrounded it as a VAR review awarded the goal on the field but disallowed it on the big screen.
Alli’s leveller (86) – after Abdoulaye Doucoure (6) had given Watford the lead – was reviewed by VAR for a potential handball and referee Chris Kavanagh signalled for a goal but the big-screen message, which is controlled by Stockley Park, stated that the goal had been ruled out.
After some confusion, the goal was eventually given.
The VAR controversy took centre stage but it could not mask another very flat performance from Tottenham, who had only mustered one shot on target before Alli’s late reply – a goal which means Watford remain winless this season.
Alli’s goal saved Spurs from a third straight loss in all competitions but this latest setback still leaves boss Mauricio Pochettino under pressure, with Tottenham falling further behind in the race for the top four.
Phil Thompson was in the Soccer Saturday studio to analyse the match and the late goal caused huge confusion as he tried to explain what was happening.
He said: “It was so confusing it was untrue. We’re all laughing but this is serious business. Dele Alli puts it into the net and straightaway you feel it’s going to go to VAR. You’re wondering if Dele Alli has pushed Femenia, but he hasn’t.
“When you see the real reason why, you see that Alli catches the ball at the top of his arm. I thought it wouldn’t be given as he moved his arm to the ball. We know that anything like that where it hits the arm it’s no goal. I’m waiting and thinking this has got to be disallowed.
“The I saw the referee has pointed to the centre-spot, while up on the big screen the VAR check says it’s ‘No Goal’. I was so confused. This was shambolic, and you can tell from Dele Alli’s demeanour that he thought this was going to be chalked off.
“How they haven’t come to the correct decision I do not know. This should’ve been about the incident and the goal should’ve been ruled out for handball. That should’ve been the end of it.”
Quique Sanchez Flores said the situation was “weird,” while Dele Alli felt relief.
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