De Zerbi focuses on Spurs' failings - but should Bogle have seen red?

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reports that Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 defeat at Leeds United was shaped by a disputed first-half incident involving Leeds defender Jayden Bogle and Spurs forward Mathys Tel. With the match still goalless, Bogle caught Tel in a challenge that led to a VAR review lasting more than four minutes, but no red card was shown. Tel was unable to continue after suffering an injury to his left foot, and the decision sparked debate over whether the defender should have been dismissed.

Former Premier League assistant referee Darren McCann told BBC Sport that Bogle was fortunate to stay on the pitch, while BBC’s referee analysis said the challenge was likely at least a booking and might reasonably have prompted an on-field review. The report notes that referee John Brooks did not go to the pitchside monitor, leaving the decision entirely to the VAR hub at Stockley Park. Because Bogle had not been booked initially, he escaped any punishment from the incident.

Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham’s manager, said he believed his team needed to focus on their own second-half performance rather than blame the officials. He said Spurs were outplayed after the break and lacked the character and physicality expected of a top side. He also questioned the booking of Pedro Porro later in the match, but said he had confidence in the referee and VAR.

The result ended Tottenham’s run of Premier League wins and gave Leeds their first league victory since September.