Arsenal score controversial equaliser in north London derby – as refereeing error leads to Dominic Solanke’s own goal with Tottenham players left fuming
Arsenal scored a controversial equalizer against Tottenham in the north London derby – with Dominic Solanke’s own goal coming from a refereeing error.
The Gunners staged a comeback in the match after falling behind to Son Heung-min’s opener, with Gabriel first heading Declan Rice’s corner into Solanke, with the ball ending up in the back of the net.
Arsenal had started the better team but fell behind when Son’s volley deflected off William Saliba and beat David Raya to shock the Emirates.
But the ground was on his feet when Rice swung at the back post from a corner, with Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky blocked by the crowd of players and unable to get to the ball.
That resulted in Gabriel Radu beating Dragusin to the cross at the back post and heading the ball against Solanke before the ball ended up in the back of the net.
However, replays showed that an incorrect decision had been made in the build-up to the goal, with the corner kick being wrongly awarded instead of a goal kick.
Arsenal scored a controversial equalizer against Tottenham after Dominic Solanke’s own goal
A corner was wrongly awarded after the ball came back from Leandro Trossard
Gabriel headed a Declan Rice corner at Dominic Solanke, who eventually scored an own goal
But replays showed that the corner should not have been awarded in the first place. Leandro Trossard’s cross was blocked by Pedro Porro and the ball rebounded to the Belgian before going out of play. However, a corner was awarded.
Porro was frustrated at the time and the Spurs players surrounded referee Simon Hooper as the half-time whistle blew.
Arsenal have been a major threat from corners and set pieces this season, with the Gunners now in double figures in terms of corner goals thanks to the work of coach Nicolas Jover.
Martin Keown said of the goal on TNT Sports: ‘It was a corner because the referee gave it, so let’s go with that.
‘No. he is very lucky. But it is caused by all the attacks that Arsenal are undergoing, which increases the pressure. Dragusin should not be defeated by Gabriel, there is no excuse for that.
Peter Crouch added: “Declan Rice’s cross is so good. But Dragusin should do better. You know where things are going and Dragusin has to be stronger.”
