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As his side earned a point at St James’ Park in a dramatic manner, Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank claims it was an “absolute mistake” when the video assistant referee (VAR) intervened and awarded Newcastle a penalty.

Spurs were held to a 2-2 draw at home thanks to Cristian Romero’s injured overhead kick, which was controversial after the Magpies’ spot-kick in the 86th minute ended 1-1.

Rodrigo Bentancur was caught holding Newcastle defender Dan Burn in the penalty box by VAR, who sent the referee to the pitchside monitor.

The two players in the box appeared to be fighting, and despite the official not initially giving the penalty, the Spurs midfielder was punished following the review.

Before Romero’s 95th-minute equalizer saved a point for Frank’s men, Anthony Gordon converted from the spot.

The penalty was awarded on X because Bentancur “clearly does not look at the ball” while “holding offence,” according to the Premier League match manager.

Spurs were quick to criticize the decision, and pundits also made the suggestion that it was an incident that occurs at corners in most matches.

Frank, the manager of Spurs, called it “an absolute mistake from the VAR.”

“The ref called well, and they encourage the ref ref to call on the pitch.” That is never a sin in my opinion.

Even speaking with some Newcastle residents, they don’t believe it to be a penalty, and we need consistency.

“VAR can only be made if it is clear and obvious,” said the referee on the pitch.

The PGMOL consider a number of factors when determining whether a penalty should be given, despite the fact that holding and grappling are common on corners and free-kicks:

Clinton Morrison, an ex-Premier League striker, said, “We have six games tomorrow, there will be a lot of defending like that, let’s see if VAR calls that.”

Because there is no pulling of the shirt or anything else, VAR should just stay out of it. He is simply standing by himself and not looking at anything.

On BBC Radio 5 Live, former defender for Tottenham and Newcastle, Jonathan Woodgate, said, “Dan Burn climbed all over him. It’s similar to a featherweight UFC fight.

Micah Richards, a former manchester city defender, said on Sky Sports, “Not looking at the ball fits the criteria, but there is not enough holding there.” Bentancur held him for a while, but Burn has since become the center of his entire body.

“The referee made a really wise decision by not giving it, and then [going to the screen] raises questions for him.” It’s insufficient because it’s not sustained.

Before his scheduled Saturday middleweight unification bout against Erislandy Lara, Janibek Alimkhanuly tested positive for a banned substance.

The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) has informed the World Boxing Organization (WBO) that a Kazakh fighter failed their test, and an internal investigation is ongoing.

According to American media, Venezuelan Johan Gonzalez will take Alimkhanuly’s place in the fight against WBA champion Lara, who holds both the IBF and WBO titles.

Melonium, a performance-enhancing drug that can increase an athlete’s endurance, is reported to be the banned substance. The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has banned it since 2016 and has issued a ban.

The fighter has requested that a second “B” sample be tested because Alimkhanuly’s “A” sample returned a negative analytical finding.

Alimkhanuly claimed in a letter to X that Vada’s findings surprised him.

You are well aware of how strongly I have always backed clean sport. When I read the news, I was taken aback,” Alimkhanuly said.

“Vada took the initial test, and he declared everything to be spotless. My vitamins are the same as they were before. I requested a retest because I don’t know what happened with the second test.

Alimkhanuly last met on April 5th, when he won the WBO and IBF titles to defeat Anauel Ngamissengue in a fifth-round stoppage.

Since making his professional debut in 2016, the 32-year-old has won all 17 of his matches.

Cuban-American Lara stopped Danny Garcia in the ninth round to retain his WBA title, which he had lost to him 14 months ago.

The 42-year-old, who was formerly the lightweight champion, has won 31 of his 37 fights since making his debut in 2008.

Before his scheduled Saturday middleweight unification bout against Erislandy Lara, Janibek Alimkhanuly tested positive for a banned substance.

The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) has informed the World Boxing Organization (WBO) that a Kazakh fighter failed their test, and an internal investigation is ongoing.

According to American media, Venezuelan Johan Gonzalez will take Alimkhanuly’s place in the fight against WBA champion Lara, who holds both the IBF and WBO titles.

Melonium, a performance-enhancing drug that can increase an athlete’s endurance, is reported to be the banned substance. The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has banned it since 2016 and has issued a ban.

The fighter has requested that a second “B” sample be tested because Alimkhanuly’s “A” sample returned a negative analytical finding.

Alimkhanuly claimed in a letter to X that Vada’s findings surprised him.

You are well aware of how strongly I have always backed clean sport. When I read the news, I was taken aback,” Alimkhanuly said.

“Vada took the initial test, and he declared everything to be spotless. My vitamins are the same as they were before. I requested a retest because I don’t know what happened with the second test.

Alimkhanuly last met on April 5th, when he won the WBO and IBF titles to defeat Anauel Ngamissengue in a fifth-round stoppage.

Since making his professional debut in 2016, the 32-year-old has won all 17 of his matches.

Cuban-American Lara stopped Danny Garcia in the ninth round to retain his WBA title, which he had lost to him 14 months ago.

The 42-year-old, who was formerly the lightweight champion, has won 31 of his 37 fights since making his debut in 2008.

Fulham’s nine-goal display gave Manchester City the lead in a typically title-chasing performance.

Pep Guardiola’s side’s defensive display, unfortunately, will have elicited relief from those same rivals.

Erling Haaland scored his 100th Premier League goal in the opening period of play, followed by a Phil Foden double, one from Tijjani Reijnders, and Sander Berge’s own goal, who gave City a 5-1 lead at the break. They appeared to be making a significant margin of victory.

However, Fulham responded with three unanswered goals and even had one of their own as they approached the end of one of the outstanding comebacks in stoppage time.

City held on for the win, 5-4, and all three points, almost firmly in their grasp, almost absorbing shots from the end.

“That’s football, that’s the beauty of football,” said Haaland, “but they went and made it 5-3 after I was close to scoring.”

“We love the game because of that.”

The powerful Norwegian added two assists as he scored 100 goals in 111 Premier League games, making it the fastest century since the start of the competition.

However, City changed from a team that appeared to be capable of keeping the score to a group that almost begged for the win.

Guardiola made the joke that “the players don’t respect me because I’m so old!” They are not required to behave in that manner toward their manager.

The league only allows it to occur.

The statistics show what a thriller and unusual result it was, Manchester City’s victory at Fulham will have been a great watch for the neutral.

Even though it delivered in terms of entertainment value, Guardiola’s side’s supporters must have noticed that there must be improvement if they are to truly challenge Arsenal’s leaders.

In this game, City’s attacking prowess are unquestionable; their first four attempts on target in this game resulted in goals, and Haaland and Foden’s consistent form this year will make almost any Premier League team struggle to stop them.

However, their defense is far behind, despite their play continuing to be dignified of title winners.

In the Premier League, City allowed 16 goals in just 14 games compared to Arsenal, who have only allowed seven in 13 games.

At this point in Guardiola’s six Premier League titles, it is unusual for City to concede as many as that in a title-winning campaign. It happened once, in 2023-24.

Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison said on BBC Radio 5 Live, “You can’t expect to win the Premier League when you defend like that.”

“Manchester City’s defensive posture is a problem. We know they can score goals, but I’ve said it before, but they need to improve defensively.

In all competitions, Manchester City has conceded 10 goals in their most recent four games, but only three in the four games that followed.

Guardiola can at least believe that the recent defensive problems can be fixed, and the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach even believes that the recent back-pressure issue could benefit his side by bringing focus to their minds.

Guardiola stated, “Of course, I was concerned Fulham could come back,” but this will help us in upcoming games.

Some players believe that each game is a new team. To begin correcting, you must create a process.

The way we played in the first half, the five goals we scored, and the way we came here were some of the things that were really encouraging.