Ange Postecoglou admits he was the ‘angriest I have ever been in my career’ – as he claims Tottenham were ‘denied right rewards’ in Newcastle loss after Anthony Gordon’s controversial equaliser

Ange Postecoglou claimed he was angrier than ever before as he railed against refereeing decisions and conniving setbacks after his depleted Tottenham were beaten at home by Newcastle.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the players,” said the Spurs boss. ‘I thought they were excellent. I’m just very, very angry, the angriest I think I’ve ever been in my career, that they were denied the proper rewards for a fantastic performance.

‘If that had been any other day and there had been a level and fair playing field, we would have won that match.’

Postecoglou’s sense of injustice revolved around Newcastle’s first goal, an equalizer scored by Anthony Gordon after the ball clearly hit Joelinton on the hand as he blocked a pass.

Referee Andrew Madley saw no foul and it was not overruled by VAR Chris Kavanagh as Joelinton’s hand was in a natural position and the contact was ruled accidental.

“I can’t lie and I didn’t see it because I did see it,” said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe. “And it definitely hit Joelinton’s arm, I can tell you that. “But I believe his arm was down and the referee and VAR followed the protocol in place.”

Spurs were missing ten first-team players at kick-off and others were ill

Postecoglou’s sense of injustice revolved around Newcastle’s first goal, an equalizer scored by Anthony Gordon after the ball clearly hit Joelinton on the hand

Tottenham were furious when a foul was awarded to Dan Burn for a similar handball infringement as the match eluded them. Alexander Isak scored Newcastle’s winner.

Spurs, with ten first-team players missing from kick-off and others ill, led through Dominic Solanke and produced a spirited fightback but could not find a second.

“We were excellent,” Postecoglou said. ‘Our football was excellent against a very good opponent in good form. It was brilliant, excellent, a game we deserved to win and would have won on any other day.

“Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray literally came off their sickbeds to play, and Radu was devastated at halftime. He had nothing left to give.

‘On Thursday we literally had eleven fit players at training. But I don’t care. What matters to me is that the players put in incredible performances, played fantastic football, created chances, denied them and defended strongly, which we did.

“And it’s especially unfair to them that they didn’t get the reward today.”