Jose Mourinho has found an unlikely ally in a former referee regarding the controversial penalty decision that went against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby loss to Arsenal.
Spurs took the lead thanks to a stunning effort from Erik Lamela, but the Gunners ended up winning the game thanks to a very debatable decision against Davinson Sanchez.
The Colombia international dived in on Alexandre Lacazette who missed the ball when attempting an effort on goal, leading to a collision between the two players in the box.
Despite both players appearing to make contact with each other, referee Michael Oliver and VAR official Paul Tierney decided it was an Arsenal spot-kick.
That wasn't a decision Mourinho agreed with as he suggested the official was showing signs of fatigue.
“No post-match interviews for referees? That’s a pity," Mourinho sarcastically said. "I think we played really bad in the first-half. The 1-1 was not a fair reflection of the first-half, we were poor.
"Defending bad, no intensity, no pressing, even in terms of creating attacking football, some important players hiding.
"In the second-half, we only had space to improve which we did, then it’s a question - an impossible question because they don’t speak - but a question for Michael to answer and probably Paul Tierney too because he was on the VAR.
"According to Kevin Friend, the referee got told that he had a clear vision and the VAR didn’t want to go against.
“What I see from the bench, I had a feeling, but I am 40 or 50 metres away. Yeah, I saw it immediately, I watched it on the iPad, I think the referees have a difficult job sometimes.
"I didn’t complain because he’s closer than me but then I watch it on the iPad, it is what it is.
"If somebody has a different opinion, it has to be one of the big Arsenal fans with the season ticket because I’d accept that because it’s the passion speaking. Apart from that, I wouldn’t accept that because it’s so obvious.
"I repeat: it’s a penalty that I’d say is a mistake by Michael Oliver. Players get tired after so many matches, coaches get tired, maybe referees get tired.
"He had a game in the week, maybe Champions League or Europa League, he could be tired. My record with him on penalties is astonishing - with Chelsea, United, Tottenham, it doesn’t matter, I’m very unlucky with a very good referee."
Former referee Mark Clattenburg has sympathised with Mourinho's claim, but has explained why the decision could not be overturned.
"Jose Mourinho wasn't happy and I can understand why Arsenal's penalty will split opinion," Clattenburg wrote in his Daily Mail column. "Alexandre Lacazette got his shot away — a poorly executed attempt it was, too — and then came the contact from Davinson Sanchez.
"The defender was trying to block the ball but the way he flew through Lacazette forced referee Michael Oliver into making his decision.
"Mourinho complained afterwards that VAR Paul Tierney 'confirmed the wrong decision'.
"Once this was given in real time, there was no way Tierney was going to overturn it.
"The contact was clearly there, and this was not a clear and obvious error from Oliver."
