Tottenham can’t believe referee fails to overturn Brighton goal after VAR controversially denied Seagulls penalty

Tottenham were left stunned as referee Graham Scott failed to overturn a Brighton goal despite going over to the pitch-side monitor to look at what appeared a clear foul on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Tariq Lamptey slotted home for the visitors to cancel out Tottenham’s lead, but it looked certain to be overturned for a Solly March foul in the build-up.

The referee was right on top of the original incident and decided not to give anything, before VAR insisted he take another look.

It did not look like March made any contact with the ball when sliding in on Hojbjerg, but despite a detailed look at the screen, Scott stuck with his call.

Earlier in the match, Brighton were furious after VAR decided not to give them a penalty when Matt Doherty appeared to pull Leandro Trossard.

After going behind to a Harry Kane spot-kick, which was controversial in itself, the Seagulls were adamant they should’ve had a penalty of their own moments later.

Doherty clearly had hands on Trossard as Ben White’s cross came in, but despite a VAR review, the on-field decision of no-penalty was upheld.

It was a similar incident to a penalty which was given against Brighton during their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace – and Seagulls staff were understandably furious.

Tottenham got the better end of the stick when Adam Lallana’s foul on Kane was upgraded from a free-kick to a penalty early in the first-half.

The Spurs striker, who took a look over his shoulder and perhaps backed into Lallana as the Brighton man climbed for a header, was adjudged to be marginally inside the box when fouled.

Analysing the incident for beIN Sports, former Man City and Holland midfielder Nigel de Jong argued Brighton’s penalty claim was stronger than Tottenham’s.

“It’s more of a penalty than the one on Harry Kane at the other end!” he said.

“If Doherty didn’t hold him there, in the ‘Maguire’ grip, he’s going to get a touch on that.

“For that reason, it’s a clear and obvious penalty.”