Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho believes referee Michael Oliver showed signs of fatigue after giving Arsenal a penalty in the second-half of the north London derby.
Spurs threw away a one-goal lead at the Emirates Stadium as the Gunners moved to within four points of their local rivals with a 2-1 win in north London.
Erik Lamela handed Spurs the lead with a special 'rabona' goal in the first-half after replacing the injured Son Heung-min early on.
However, Martin Odegaard scored to ensure the rivals went in all-square at half-time before the controversial penalty decision was made.
After a fine pass from Nicolas Pepe, it looked as if Alexandre Lacazette was through on goal before going to ground following a challenge from Davinson Sanchez.
Referee Oliver initially gave the spot-kick before VAR looked at it and told the official to stick with his original decision.
After the game, Spurs boss Mourinho came out in front of the Sky Sports cameras and had some stern words to say.
“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.”
Oliver has refereed 32 games this season in the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League with his last fixture prior to the north London derby being Thursday's European tie between Dynamo Kiev and Villarreal in Ukraine.
