Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has had his say on whether Harry Kane should have been awarded a penalty in Tottenham's clash with Brentford on Boxing Day. Spurs returned from the World Cup hopeful of putting their bad habits behind them, but instead picked up where they left off.
Vitaly Janelt opened the scoring for the Bees early on as the home side started the faster of the two teams, doubling that lead through Ivan Toney in the second half. As has been so often the case for the Lilywhites this season under Antonio Conte, it was only once they were behind that they turned the screw themselves.
Harry Kane's pinpoint accurate header pulled the side back into the game before Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's strike drew them level again. Spurs were unable to earn all three points late on as they made themselves a hill too high to climb with their early performance in the game.
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Conte addressed the fact there was a repeat of old habits, but believes there was some positives to take. He said: "I think for the people that today watched the game, but this is the not the first time they watched Tottenham, it was another exciting game.
"In one side, I have to be happy for the way, for the reaction, for the way we played in the second half of the game, but not only the way we scored two goals, but the energy, the desire, the intensity that we played. When you play in this way for sure you create a lot of problems for your opponent."
There was one huge moment that some felt could have given Tottenham the chance to win the game as Kane appeared to be brought down by Ben Mee in the area. There was no penalty given in the end, despite appeals and a check from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Former Premier League Gallagher had his say on whether it was a penalty on Sky Sports, saying: "I thought both Mee and Kane were grabbing at each other. Kane has got a hold of Mee at the back as well so I think it's one where if a penalty is going to be given, it has to be an on-field decision.
"VAR aren't going to overturn it. There needs to be enough doubt and it's what we'll see moving forward. VAR will only step in when it is clear and obvious."
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