Because it doesn't exist. It might be in some piece of guidance the refs have been given, if I'm being generous. I've never heard of it and it's not consistent with the way that they've enforced it, either.
What the **** has Tavares done that for? Madness. ****ing Penandes can't even do that any more. Useless ****.
Ten Hag definitely regretting his choice. That Utd team is pure and utter horseshit. Look beyond Ronaldo and an injury prone Varane and it’s painful viewing. It’s a miracle they’ve managed to be in the top four race this long but just shows what’s possible when have Ronaldo in your team. Mid table without him.
That was a very fortuitous win. Didn't deserve all 3 points at all, but we rode our luck with some decisions, and had United's profligacy in attack to thank. At this stage of the season, results are the most important thing. But we can't play like that in our remaining games otherwise we'll lose more often than win. I'm going to savour this, though. Not often we beat Chelsea and Man United in the same week.
I just think that they're being badly managed by someone who doesn't suit the squad. I said it when Rangnick joined. He wants to play the gegenpress and they can't do that. Their best attackers are ancient and their centre-backs don't suit a high line, for a start. Half of the team don't want to be there, either. Lots of contracts expiring or moves coming. Having said that, today was Utd getting done in the way that they normally do others. Pawson and chums were ****ing atrocious and it cost them badly.
Just thinking about it, I wonder how the Ten Hag/Rangnick dynamic is going to work. They don't have very similar approaches to the game, do they?
They hit the woodwork 3 times, should have 2 other penalties (unless there's an unwritten rule about the ball hitting a player's arm on the floor), missed a good 1-on-1, marginal offside decision for Ronaldo's 2nd goal went our way and they had a couple of other decent opportunities. I'm honest enough to admit when we get very fortunate. And today was absolutely one of them.
Agree that refereeing certainly didn’t help them today but in general I think it’s beyond the manager. There’s just so many players in their XI & squad that won’t get near other top sides XI’s. Utd’s probably still the biggest club on the planet yet they’ve got a bunch of players who are nowhere near good enough to represent that size football club. There are barely any players I’d want from them at Spurs and for as much as I love my club, it’s damning that most of Man Utd’s team wouldn’t be good enough for ours nowadays. Imagine saying that during Fergie’s era. I think ten Hag’s got a huge job on his hands when he takes over, similar to Conte’s here, arguably worse seeing as expectations are much bigger there.
The "on another day" argument doesn't cut it when the pressure is on (have them when nothing is at stake) . The inconsistency of offside/penalty decisions even with VAR is something all teams are having to endure.
