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Football London
Football London
Sport
Connor O'Neill

Ex-Premier League referee gives verdict on VAR and Dele Alli's equaliser for Spurs vs Watford

It wouldn't be a weekend of Premier League action without a few controversial or debatable decisions from referees.

Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City all had their fair share in week nine of the campaign.

But while all the talk is seemingly being centred around the events at Old Trafford, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium also saw its fair share of debatable calls on Saturday afternoon.

And former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has now offered up his view on the major talking point from Spurs' game against Watford, Dele Alli's late equaliser.

The midfielder rescued his side a point with four minutes remaining when he took the ball on his shoulder before finishing into the unguarded net after Ben Foster flapped at long ball into the box.

The goal was initially reviewed by VAR before being awarded. The big screen, however, indicated the decision was 'no goal', but after a spell of confusion, the goal stood.

And Gallagher believes the right call was made.

Tottenham v Watford: Mauricio Pochettino full post-match press conference

“I think goal. I think that is the top of his shoulder," the retired referee said, speaking as part of Sky Sports' Ref Watch feature.

"I think he's taken it on his chest, I think his arm is out and that is what may give you that image (of handball).

"I think he’s knocked it off his chest. It is a carbon copy of the one Fred blocked in the Manchester United game."

Meanwhile, Gallagher also said that the big screen incident had nothing to do with VAR.

“Not the VAR, though, that is the people who put the graphics up at the ground," he added.

"I think VAR has taken enough hassle without being blamed for that one."

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