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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
James Whaling

Steve Bruce labels handball law "total nonsense" despite Newcastle profiting at Tottenham

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has branded the handball law "total nonsense" - despite his side snatching a last-gasp point after more controversy at Tottenham.

Eric Dier was penalised after the referee consulted with VAR as the ball ricocheted off his arm from an Andy Carroll header - even though he had his back to the action.

Callum Wilson stepped up to net the stoppage-time penalty and earn a point for the Magpies, with Spurs boss Jose Mourinho showing his disdain for the decision by storming straight down the tunnel.

Bruce admitted his sympathy with his opposite number and Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson after the Eagles were on the rough end of a similarly controversial decision in their defeat by Everton on Saturday.

Bruce showed solidarity with Mourinho (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

And he has called for top-flight managers to unite in a bid to change the law.

"I can understand why Spurs will go beserk and Roy Hodgson reacted like he did," he told Sky Sports. "It is a total nonsense, we should be jumping through hoops but I would be devastated if that was us.

"Maybe Roy is right, maybe we all need to get together. The decisions are ruining the spectacle. We have to get together as managers and say this must stop.

"If our goalkeeper didn't play as well first half they would have been out of sight. Second half we were better and posed a bit of a threat. Our goalkeeper has got us a point and a decision that went our way."

Mourinho refused to comment directly on the penalty decision, but hinted his side are treated differently to other big clubs.

“This is the respect that Tottenham gets," he said. "Tottenham is a big club but it’s a club where our history in terms of trophies is not as big as other clubs.

“I realise that. I’m coaching with a lot of passion, a lot of love. I love to be here, I don’t see myself leaving and going to another club because I love it so much.

“But I realise now the difference between clubs with big history and others.”

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