Former PGMOL chief weighs in with his opinion on Anthony Gordon's controversial goal as Newcastle United beat Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou was livid with referee Andy Madley's decision to allow Anthony Gordon's equaliser to stand as Newcastle United went on to come from behind to win the game.

Once again, we're talking about contentious decisions in a big game of football rather than the game itself with many people divided on whether or not Anthony Gordon's goal should have stood against Spurs on Saturday afternoon.

Spurs tried to play out from the back and got caught out when an attempted ball forward struck the hand of Joelinton which sent the ball free for Alexander Isak to turn and play in Anthony Gordon who finished into the bottom corner.

The Tottenham players immediately surrounded the referee, claiming handball, but after a brief VAR check, the goal was given. The reasoning behind it was that Joelinton's arm was in a natural position down by his side, and there was nothing he could do about it.

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Keith Hackett says the officials got it spot on with regards to Joelinton's handball

Under the current rules, that is accidental handball and the fact that there was at least one more phase of play following the handball before the goal was scored, then the goal should stand. Had the ball hit his hand and gone straight into the goal with no other involvement, it couldn't stand.

Former PGMOL chief, Keith Hackett has clarified the decision in an article for Tottenham Hotspur News.

“I do believe that the ball strikes the hand and because of distance and movement the player did not move his hand to the ball and his actions are not deliberate. No offence for me.

“If it had been given because of the subjectivity it would not have been overturned, so not enough to give handball for me.”

The Anthony Gordon penalty decision is the one that needs clarifying

I was initially on the fence with this one as I feel that had the shoe been on the other foot we'd all have been bouncing about the decision, but as it was, we benefitted from it so I wasn't going to complain too loudly.

However, on reflection, the officials definitely got this one right. Which is more than I can say about the Anthony Gordon penalty. Accidental collision or not, they took a player out of the game. Lots of fouls are accidental, it doesn't stop them being fouls.

I'd probably have let that one go, however, but when James Maddison earned a free-kick and Sven Botman's name was entered into the book for an almost identical incident, it left a sour taste in the mouth. Fortunately, nothing came of it and Newcastle held on to win, so it all worked out.