Ange Postecoglou admits he was the ‘angriest he has ever been in his career’ over refereeing decisions in Tottenham’s defeat to Newcastle – as he hits back at reporter in tension-filled interview

Ange Postecoglou claimed he was angrier than he had ever been as he railed against refereeing decisions and conspiring misfortune after his depleted Tottenham were beaten at home by Newcastle.

The Spurs boss’s sense of injustice revolved around Newcastle’s first goal, an equaliser scored by Anthony Gordon after the ball clearly struck Joelinton on the hand as he blocked a pass. 

Referee Andrew Madley did not see an offence and it was not overruled by the VAR Chris Kavanagh because Joelinton’s hand was in a natural position and the contact was ruled to be accidental. 

‘I can’t be prouder of the players,’ said the Spurs boss. ‘I thought they were outstanding. 

‘I’m just really, really angry, angriest I think I have ever been in my career that they were denied the right rewards for a fantastic performance.

‘If that was a different day and it was an even and fair playing ground we would have won that game.’

Spurs had 10 first-teamers missing at kick-off and others suffering from illness

Postecoglou’s sense of injustice revolved around Newcastle’s first goal, an equaliser scored by Anthony Gordon after the ball clearly struck Joelinton on the hand

‘I can’t lie and saw haven’t seen it because I have,’ said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe. ‘And it definitely hit Joelinton’s arm, I can give you that. But I believe his arm was down and ref and VAR have followed the protocol in place.’

Tottenham were incensed when a foul was awarded against Dan Burn for a similar handball offence as the game escaped them. Alexander Isak scored Newcastle’s winner.

Spurs, with 10 first-teamers missing at kick-off and others suffering from illness, led through Dominic Solanke and produced a spirited fight back but could not find a second.

‘We were outstanding,’ said Postecoglou. ‘Our football was outstanding against a very good opponent in good form. It was brilliant, outstanding, a game we deserved to win and on any other day we would have won.

‘Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray literally got off sickbeds to play, and Radu was shattered at half-time. He didn’t have any more to give.

‘On Thursday, we literally had 11 fit players for training. But I don’t care about that, what I care about is the players put in an unbelievable performance, fantastic football, created chances, denied them and having to defend strongly which we did. 

‘And it’s unfair on them more than anything else that they didn’t get the rewards today.’

Dominic Solanke headed home in the first four minutes to give Tottenham the lead

But Newcastle came roaring back courtesy of a composed Gordon strike minutes later

Alexander Isak completed a fine comeback with his 13th Premier League goal of the season

Earlier he had hit back at a reporter asking about refereeing decisions during Tottenham’s defeat to Newcastle.

Postecoglou said after the game: ‘On the balance of play, any balance you want with all things being equal, we would have won today. Things weren’t equal and balanced.’

When pushed by the reporter on what decisions he particularly disagreed with, the 59-year-old lashed out.

‘You can talk about whatever you want,’ he said. ‘You want my opinion – if all things were equal and balanced we would have won.’