Cristian Stellini has said that referee David Coote was correct to send off both Lucas Moura and Abdoulaye Doucoure, and he admitted that the Brazilian was distraught in the changing room after the final whistle.
Doucoure got his marching orders just before the hour mark after he shoved Harry Kane in the face during an altercation.
The Tottenham striker went down clutching his face to bring the incident to the referee’s attention and has come in for criticism from some quarters for his overreaction (Daily Star).
Kane stepped up to give Spurs the lead from the spot just ten minutes after the incident but Tottenham lost their numerical advantage in the 86th minute when Lucas Moura committed a rash challenge on Michael Keane, with the Everton defender scoring the equaliser with a spectacular effort just minutes later.
When asked about the two red card incidents, Stellini told Football.London: “Both were red cards.
“The tackle of Lucas was dangerous and [Doucoure’s] hand was clearly in the face of Harry. I was very close to the situation and it was a clear red card.”
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Moura took to social media after the final whistle to apologise to the fans for the incident and insisted that there was no malice behind his tackle, which is a sentiment that Stellini agreed with.
The interim Spurs head coach said about the Brazilian’s sending off: “No, he was disappointed. For sure he was disappointed.
“This type of tackle you don’t want to be dangerous but it was an unpredictable tackle.
“The ball was there, you try to take the ball and you find the leg of the player. This is a red card because it is dangerous.”
When asked about Kane being called a ‘cheat’, Stellini added: “The fans are normal. They are unhappy but in my opinion, it was a clear red card.
“It happens sometimes. It is normal. With the fans, you have to realise the situation.
“Also if the fans are unhappy, the decision was taken and I think it was a good decision.”
Spurs Web Opinion
There is no doubt that both incidents warranted a red card.
It is also clear that players are almost expected to go to ground these days when they are stuck in the face to bring the referee’s attention to the incident.
So, I do think it is fair to accuse Kane of making a meal of the incident.
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