'Things weren't equal and balanced' - Ange Postecoglou left raging as he says Tottenham should have beaten Newcastle and refuses to mention handball decisions

Spurs, battling injuries and illness, suffered their 10th Premier League loss of the season but displayed commendable resilience despite being forced into several changes. Dominic Solanke handed Tottenham a dream start with a diving header just four minutes into the match but controversy struck later when Anthony Gordon scored an equaliser for Newcastle. Joelinton appeared to handle the ball in the build up to the goal, sparking anger from Postecoglou and the Spurs camp.

The Premier League later clarified that Joelinton’s contact with the ball was deemed accidental and not punishable, as his hands were considered to be in a natural position. The controversy didn’t end there as Dan Burn, already on a yellow card, was accused of handling the ball while attempting to thwart a Tottenham counter-attack. Many Spurs supporters felt Burn should have been sent off, but the referee opted not to issue a second booking, leaving Postecoglou visibly agitated.

After the game, the Australian manager didn’t hold back, telling BBC Sport: "On the balance of play - any balance you want - with all things being equal, we would have won. We were outstanding. I couldn't be prouder of the players. I couldn't ask any more. It is a game that we would have won if all things were equal. If all things were equal and balanced, we would have won. Things weren't equal and balanced."

When asked about his opinion on the first goal Postecoglou said at a press conference: "No, because I know what everyone wants me to say, but all I'll say is that on any other day, on a fair and even playing ground, we would have won that game. Simple as that. Don't keep asking me about the decision. If you guys have no opinion about it that's fine. I know what my opinion is and, as I said, if that was a different day and it was an even and fair playing ground we would have won that game."

With the loss now behind them, Tottenham shift focus to their upcoming Carabao Cup clash against Liverpool on January 8.