Ryan Mason has claimed that he thought Aymeric Laporte's first challenge on Lucas Moura was an "absolute certain yellow" in Tottenham's 1-0 Carabao Cup final defeat against Man City.
Not picking up a caution for his first foul on the Brazilian, the defender then received a yellow card on the stroke of half-time after bringing down the Spurs ace again.
That then led to many fans pointing to the fact that he maybe shouldn't have been on the pitch after his second challenge.
However, the Frenchman remained in the game and in the end proved to be the matchwinner as he nodded home Kevin De Bruyne's free-kick in the 82nd minute.
Clearly a major talking point in the match as Spurs' run without a piece of silverware went on for another year, interim head coach Mason was quizzed about the decision in his post-match press conference.
"I thought the first one was an absolute certain yellow," he stated. "It's not the talking point because maybe he doesn't make the second foul if he's on a yellow.
"Listen, it happened. At that point it was 0-0 and 0-0 for a very long time in the second half as well.
"That isn't on our minds at this moment as we're trying to get over the fact we've just lost the cup final.
"It's difficult to take, it's difficult to take for the group of players and for everyone associated with the football club. We have to move on."
Put under serious pressure by City from the very first whistle, Tottenham defended well and still remained in the match up until the closing few minutes.
In a week where plenty went on at the club following Jose Mourinho's exit and the European Super League fiasco, Mason has stated that he was proud after his team gave him everything.
"It was a difficult match, I thought in the first half we rode our luck on a couple of occasions. We made some really crucial blocks," he added.
"It was difficult, they had long spells in possession but there were times when it was controlled and we were trying to cause them problems.
"I thought the second half we had a really good moment early on, forced a really good save, had a couple of set-plays, didn't really create much.
"I don't think in the second half they created much either, I never felt in danger.
"As the game went on we had longer spells of possession, the game was opening up a little bit, there was more space to play. It was difficult to concede from a set-play, that was tough to take.
"They are a great side, an incredible team but I think our group of players gave everything with what they have had to deal with in seven days, the lack of preparation but they gave everything, absolutely everything. That is something to be proud of."
