Pundit issues ‘huge’ Emerson Royal claim as controversial Tottenham footage analysed
Tottenham defender Emerson Royal is a “very lucky boy” after he was not punished for handling in the box against Newcastle United.
That’s according to former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about a controversial moment at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday (23 October).
While 2-0 up in the second half, Joelinton headed the ball back across the box towards Callum Wilson but the ball was blocked by Royal’s arm.
Jarred Gillett was not sent to look at the VAR monitor as the Magpies screamed for a penalty.
Tottenham scored less than two minutes later but they could not complete a comeback.
McManus has been left baffled by the decision to not award a penalty.
“His arm isn’t in a natural position, it is away from his body,” McManus told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“Usually you get those decisions. Usually, the referee goes and looks at them. That didn’t happen and that penalty, if it was scored, would have killed the game.
“Luckily it didn’t come back to bite Newcastle because then serious questions would be asked about VAR. I mean, this is what it is there for.
“So for me, Emerson Royal is a very lucky boy because that could have been a huge turning point in the game and somehow the referee didn’t give it.
“It must have been so frustrating for those Newcastle United fans.”
Wilson and Miguel Almiron scored the goals in the eventual 2-1 win over Tottenham.
Spurs are next in Premier League action against Bournemouth on Saturday (29 October).
In other news, pundit claims Tottenham face “real scramble” as Antonio Conte quotes emerge.