Stephen Warnock has told Sky Sports News’ Ref Watch that you cannot push a goalkeeper when he is in the air – after Leeds United star Illan Meslier was pushed over in the air before Harry Kane scored for Tottenham in our 4-3 loss.
Leeds took the lead three times at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but finished the game with 10 men, losing 4-3. Crysencio Summerville scored his fourth goal in four games, while Rodrigo took his tally to nine for the season.
But in the aftermath of the loss, there was still disbelief that VAR did not rule against Kane’s equaliser. The England skipper was not to blame, and he deserves praise for a wonderful touch and a neat finish. But Meslier was nowhere.
Again, not the Frenchman’s fault. Richarlison pushes Clement Lenglet into Meslier, and both Frenchman end up in the back of the net. It seems as though it is a clear foul. But VAR chose not to overturn the decision. Warnock was baffled.
“No [goal shouldn’t have stood]. It is beyond me. Meslier is in a good position to punch the ball. But as soon as you get pushed, that ability to punch the ball is weakened. So he can’t get a real punch on it,” Warnock said.
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“I’m in the camp where keepers get too much protection. I think you can be a little bit physical with them to a certain degree. But when he is in the air, you cannot push him. You can’t do that,” Warnock continued, on Sky Sports News.
Warnock: You cannot push Leeds star Meslier in the air, as Kane scores
Jesse Marsch said after the game that the fourth official told him, immediately after the goal, he thought it was a foul. Dermot Gallagher also gave his verdict. He says that VAR should have overturned the decision – with Meslier in the air.
But it was not given. Would Leeds have gone on to get something from the match? Leeds might have got themselves a second goal after the incident and that would have seen Spurs fans get on their side’s back. It might have changed it.
However, it is right to say that Leeds are struggling defensively under Marsch. Five against Brentford, four against Spurs, three against Fulham and Bournemouth. Leeds would have still conceded and did, even if Kane’s was ruled out.
