Tottenham Hotspur made it three defeats from four after losing 2-1 to Southampton at the weekend in the Premier League.
Spurs were 1-0 up and strolling at half time, but failed to keep up the intensity in the second 45, allowing the Saints a route back into the game.
A defensive error and a sublime James Ward-Prowse freekick gifted all three points to Southampton, leaving Spurs with just one solitary point from their last possible 12.
However, some may argue that it could have been worse for the Spurs side, as Jan Vertonghen may have gotten away with one in the game.
When attempting to hook the ball clear over his head, Vertonghen ended up kicking an on-rushing Sims in the face.
The incident appeared to be just inside the penalty area, meaning the referee could have easily given a spot kick, and possibly even a red card.
Luckily that wasn’t how Kevin Friend saw it, and he appeared to put it down to an accidental clash as Vertonghen was just trying to clear the ball.
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Bournemouth full-back Charlie Daniels has defended the Belgian (SkySports – quoted by HITC): “Anywhere else on the pitch and I think the ref will probably give a free kick. But in that instance, if I am Vertonghen, I think I am going to be doing the same thing.
“I just want to clear it and get it away from my goal. He [Sims] does bend towards the ball which doesn’t make it look better. It is a high boot, but if I am in the same position I would be doing the same thing.”
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