Sam Allardyce has weighed in on Randal Kolo Muani’s so-called ‘push’ on Gabriel’s in the North London Derby between Tottenham and Arsenal.
Tottenham Hotspur were well beaten by north London rivals Arsenal last weekend, after braces from both Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze handed the Gunners a 4-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
However, the clash was not without its talking points, as a couple of refereeing decisions left a lot to be desired.
Randal Kolo Muani’s second on the day, which was disallowed, stands out most, as a slight nudge in the back of Gabriel saw the Brazilian centre-back throw himself to the ground in theatrical fashion.
It is even more controversial considering a similar incident involving Cristian Romero and Ekitike saw a different outcome, with the Liverpool forward’s goal allowed to stand after a comparable nudge.
Sam Allardyce says Gabriel should have been booked vs Tottenham
Spurs have every reason to feel aggrieved after that decision, and former Premier League manager Sam Allardyce has now shared his view on the challenge and the officiating.
Speaking on Footy Accumulators’ podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football, Allardyce said Arsenal defender Gabriel should have received a yellow card for simulation against Tottenham on Sunday, describing the decision to disallow Randal Kolo Muani’s second-half strike as “outrageously bad”.
He began by criticising the original call to rule out the goal, stating: “The referee in the North London Derby made a massive error by disallowing Randal Kolo Muani’s second goal.
“Spurs may not have gone on to get any points from the game, but if they were to have made it 2-2, who knows whether Arsenal’s nerves would have frayed again?”
Allardyce then turned his focus to Gabriel’s reaction and the lack of punishment for simulation, adding: “Gabriel should have been booked for feigning a free-kick. How many times do we see a ball come into the box from corners where there’s pushing and shoving – almost grievous bodily harm – and the referee allows a goal to stand?
“Tottenham cannot afford any more bad decisions out of their control like that. It was an outrageously bad decision and really, really poor from the referee – and even poorer from VAR to allow the decision to stand.”
Former Premier League referee gives his verdict on Gabriel call
Had that goal stood, the final result of the clash could well have been different. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has since offered his take on the disallowed goal.
The ex-match official explained that the on-field decision was always likely to remain because the referee felt there was enough of a push, and VAR was unlikely to overturn it, as some evidence existed to support the call.
He also addressed whether Gabriel should have been sent off for a potential denial of a goalscoring opportunity against Muani.
Explaining his view, he added, “I do not think it is a red card at all. If he gives a foul, I accept that. The ball runs through to the keeper. The striker is not in possession of the ball.
“I do not think there is any danger of him being sent off, but if he gives a foul, he cannot argue.”