Ange Postecoglou did not mince his words following Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on Thursday, suggesting that VAR is “killing the game”.
Postecoglou watched on as Enzo Fernandez’s second-half header proved the difference, sending Chelsea back into the Premier League’s top four.
The result saw Spurs’ winless streak stretch to four Premier League games. They have lost three times and fought back for a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in that time.
But there were moments in the contest when VAR intervened for both sides after Fernandez’s opener.
Moises Caicedo thought he had put Chelsea two goals ahead with a stunning volley from outside the box, but it was ruled out for an offside against Levi Colwill in the build-up.
Then Spurs substitute Pape Sarr managed to squeeze an effort under the palms of Robert Sanchez, with the strike originally given on-field by referee Craig Pawson.
However, he was sent to the monitor to review the decision, and ultimately disallowed the goal after ruling Sarr had fouled Caicedo before unleashing from 25 yards out.
14 – Tonight’s 1-0 victory was the 14th time Chelsea have beaten Tottenham Hotspur to nil at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, only winning more home matches without conceding against Newcastle United (15). Clean. pic.twitter.com/YFJyfNR3zp
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 3, 2025
It was yet another frustrating evening for Spurs and Postecoglou, with their Europa League quarter-final clash with Eintracht Frankfurt looking even more important now.
Tottenham supporters chanted ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ at Postecoglou at full-time at Stamford Bridge.
Postecoglou’s decision to switch Lucas Bergvall for Sarr drew boos from the travelling fans, with the Spurs boss appearing to respond by cupping his ears after his substitute scored soon after, although that strike was ultimately ruled out.
And emotions appeared to take over during a fractious post-match interview by the Spurs boss, who also referred to the failure to send off Everton’s James Tarkowski in the Merseyside derby just 24 hours earlier.
“It’s killing the game mate, it’s not the same game it used to be,” Postecoglou began.
“We all sat on our couches last night and watched TV [when Everton’s Tarkowski was not sent off for a high challenge on Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister] and I guarantee you if Jarred Gillett was VAR last night it would’ve been a different outcome, so you just don’t know what we’re going to get.
“You are standing around for 12 minutes. It’s just killing the game, but no-one cares about that, they just love the drama and controversy and I’m sure there will be 24 hours of discussion about it and that’s what everyone wants – they’re not really interested that it’s killing the spectacle of the game.
“If a referee sees that and he needs to see it for six minutes, what’s clear and obvious about it?
“Last night we were all sat on our couches and saw one replay and thought, ‘oh my god’.
“Tonight we sat there and were waiting for six minutes for something that VAR official Jarred Gillett thought was clear and obvious – it’s crazy, it’s madness.
“We accept it and have to take the fallout from it. Clear and obvious? What does that suggest, that it’s on the first replay. That’s why the game is going the way it is.”
