Thomas Frank explains why Cristian Romero's goal should have stood in Tottenham win over West Ham | OneFootball

The controversial moment in the first half did not haunt Tottenham in their London derby win

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Thomas Frank criticised the decision to rule out Cristian Romero’s header in Tottenham’s routine 3-0 win over West Ham.

Romero had powered in a header from a corner, but referee Jarred Gillett ruled it out for a foul from Micky van de Ven and VAR confirmed that decision.

Replays showed that to be a harsh decision, with Van de Ven only making contact with Kyle Walker-Peters after he had been shoved himself, and Frank voiced his frustrations in a lengthy conversation with the fourth official.

Asked after the match for this opinion on the decision, Frank said: “I think the disallowed goal is for me clearly a goal. When I look back it's Mads Hermansen who pushed Micky into Kyle Walker-Peters and we talk about higher thresholds. For me it's a clear goal.

“If you see the United goal against Fulham a few weeks ago where there were two hands in the back, it was given. I've heard afterwards it was a mistake, but no matter what, for higher thresholds this is clearly a goal that needs to stand.”

Spurs took the lead within a couple of minutes of the second half when Pape Matar Sarr headed in from Xavi Simons’ corner, as the Dutchman marked his debut with an assist.

Lucas Bergvall and Micky van de Ven sealed victory, allowing Frank to bring off the likes of Van de Ven and Simons in the closing stages.

Simons started on the left wing and struggled at times in the first half, going down and not being awarded a free-kick and then playing a disguised pass to his outside when there was nobody in a Spurs shirt there.

He was more effective after the break and his delivery brought the opening goal, and Frank was satisfied with the Dutchman’s first display in a Spurs shirt.

Debutant: Xavi Simons

Getty Images

“I think he was promising,” Frank said.

“I liked what I saw from him. I liked that he took initiative on the ball. Every single time he had the ball he tried to create something.

“And I think he had a wonderful assist for the first goal from a corner. Worked hard as well. I think it was a good first game.”