Sheffield United overcame VAR controversy to grab a 1-1 draw at Tottenham after having a goal ruled out for John Lundstram’s big toe being offside.
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| George Baldock is mobbed by his Sheffield United team-mates after they finally secure a much-deserved equaliser at Spurs |
Sheffield United started better but Tottenham took the lead after Son Heung-min's strike from close range
The Blades thought they had equalised instantly through David McGoldrick but VAR ruled it out for offside
But the away side got their goal when George Baldock's cross missed everyone and bounced into the net
Spurs have not won in five league games and are still hovering in mid-table after disappointing home draw
An incessant downpour at White Hart Lane was a fitting backdrop for the current gloom at Tottenham.
In the latest VAR nonsense, Sheffield United were cruelly denied a goal after a three-minute check on Saturday, but that shouldn't disguise the fact that Spurs are heading for a winter of discontent unless Mauricio Pochettino and his big players can change the mood fast.
Despite being second best for the majority, Spurs took the lead through Heung-Min Son (58) but the Blades thought they had equalised when David McGoldrick struck two minutes later. However, after a four-minute wait at the centre circle, VAR overturned the goal as it was deemed Lundstram's big toe was offside in the build-up.
Chris Wilder's men were right to feel hard done by but remained the more creative team and found a way through when George Baldock's cross from the right flew straight in (78) as Spurs just could not match United's intensity and willingness to press in midfield.
The result means the Blades remain unbeaten away from home this season and keeps a disjointed Spurs in the bottom half.
This was Tottenham's fifth Premier League game without a win, a run dating back to September. They've only won three league games all season – an awful record for Champions League finalists.
Chris Wilder's men started the game in a positive fashion and took control of the game, later deservedly drawing level
Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Gazzaniga 7.5; Aurier 6 (Moura 86), Sanchez 5.5, Dier 5, Davies 7; Sissoko 6, Ndombele 6 (Winks 45 6.5); Son 7, Lo Celso 5.5, Alli 6.5 (Foyth 72); Kane 6
Subs not used: Vorm (GK), Alderweireld, Sessegnon, Eriksen
Goal: Son 58
Booked: Dier, Foyth
Sheffield United (5-3-2): Henderson 6; Baldock 7, Basham 7, Egan 6, O'Connell 6, Stevens 6; Lundstram 8, Norwood 7.5, Fleck 7; Mousset 7.5 (Robinson 87), McGoldrick 7 (Freeman 90)
Subs not used: Moore (Gk), Jagielka, Besic, Sharp, McBurnie
Goal: Baldock 78
Booked: Norwood, Basham
Attendance: 59,781
Referee: Graham Scott 6
Indeed, Tottenham could have lost this game, both because of their own performance and the dubious circumstances in which The Blades had a first equaliser chalked off.
Chris Wilder's side are unbeaten away from home and certainly no mugs. But they didn't have to play that well to get a draw here.
Tottenham's goal, scored by Son Heung-min after 58 minutes, was from only their second shot on target and came from a Sheffield United blunder.
Player Ratings
Tottenham: Gazzaniga (7), Aurier (6), Dier (4), Sanchez (7), Davies (6), Sissoko (6), Lo Celso (7), Ndombele (5), Son (7), Alli (6), Kane (6)
Subs: Winks (6), Moura (6), Foyth (6)
Sheffield United: Henderson (7), Basham (7), Egan (7), O’Connell (7), Baldock (8), Lundstram (8), Norwood (7), Fleck (7), Stevens (7), McGoldrick (8), Mousset (8)
Subs: Robinson (N/A), Freeman (N/A)
Man of the match: David McGoldrick
VAR: Friend or foe?
Tottenham kicked off in the Premier League's bottom 10 teams for the first time since 2014 after a poor opening quarter of the season, while the Blades were in the European spots. Those particular places in the table looked no fluke judging from this encounter.
There were 18 shots on goal in a breathless opening 45 minutes - a match that was certainly bossed by the visitors.
After a booking for Eric Dier after 75 seconds, the Blades set up camp in Tottenham territory. Oliver Norwood had a brilliant half-volley tipped over the crossbar by Paulo Gazzaniga, John Fleck struck straight at the goalkeeper from 15 yards and Lundstram turned an Enda Stevens cross inches wide from close range.
Lundstrum then fired an effort back off the upright on 30 minutes as Spurs continued to be bewildered by Sheffield United's energy and bite in midfield.
A similar pattern remained after the break with the brilliant McGoldrick and Mousset linking up to great effect but the Blades could not quite find the final finish. They were punished on 58 minutes.
Stevens played a poor ball back towards his own goal inside the box and Son seized upon the error from a tight angle, putting the ball through Dean Henderson's legs.
The Blades thought they levelled two minutes later when McGoldrick tapped home Stevens' cross to send the away end wild. However, replays deliberated whether Lundstram's big toe was offside in the build-up and after nearly four minutes of waiting, the VAR eventually ruled out the goal to the delight of the home fans.
Sheffield United's equaliser is disallowed by VAR
Sheffield United's equaliser is disallowed by VAR
An incident like that would usually deflate teams but not the Blades, who continued to probe and press. Wilder's men got a slice of luck with the eventual equaliser but it was one they richly deserved. Baldock's cross from the right was aimed at Chris Basham but missed everyone and ended up nestling in the bottom corner. VAR took a look at whether Basham's toe was in an offside position - but this goal stood.
Man of the match: David McGoldrick
The Sheffield United attacker has taken the step up a level in his stride and in this type of form, he has to enter conversations as being one of the best in the Premier League at linking the play. His movement and intelligent use of the ball completely bamboozled the Spurs backline, especially Dier, who was given the run-around by the Sheffield United front two. McGoldrick made four key passes in the game as the Blades created ample opportunities.
McGoldrick and Mousset complement each other's game brilliantly - it's a strike force that Premier League defences will have to take very seriously. They are a joy to watch.
Manager reaction
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino: "It was an even game, when you assess the game it was a fair result, they deserved the point. They were the better team in the first half and were better in the second half. We started the game not well, it was a little bit strange the feeling of Tanguy Ndombele, he never felt comfortable in the game and maybe that affected the team.
"We arrived to the first half and we changed for Harry Winks and then we played better. We are disappointed because we knew we were going to find a team who would be aggressive and very energetic, well organised. This is the worst opponent you can have when you come to play from Wednesday in the Champions League, a very long way."
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder: "If it's offside, it's offside. We have to get on with it. There's a bit of confusion from our point of view is when the reset?
"It seems every press conference I'm asked about VAR - I'm disappointed by that as the main talking point for me was my team going toe-to-toe with a team that was in the Champions League final last season. It feels me with immense pride with how we played with and without the ball."
Chris Wilder speaks of his pride after Sheffield United's draw with Tottenham
Pundit reaction
Phil Thompson on Soccer Saturday: "Spurs are so disjointed on the pitch. We know them for great fluidity, playing through the lines. But it was awful. Some of the passes going astray were dreadful. It's not what we know of Spurs.
"After Son's goal, you thought now they'd be composed. Now they can start passing. Sheffield United might run out of legs. That wasn't the case."
Opta stats
Sheffield United are only the third newly-promoted side to avoid defeat in each of their opening six away games to a Premier League season, after Blackburn Rovers (first 8 in 1992-93) and Nottingham Forest (first six in 1994-95).
Tottenham's tally of 14 points is their lowest after 12 games to a Premier League season since 2008-09 (12).
Tottenham have lost more points from winning positions than any other Premier League side this season (12).
Sheffield United are unbeaten in 15 away league games (W5 D10), a run stretching back to January of last season, equalling their club record previously set in April 2009 (also 15 away league games unbeaten).
What's next?
After the international break, Spurs have a trip to West Ham to look forward to on November 23 while the Blades welcome Manchester United, live on that weekend's Super Sunday.
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