Thomas Frank blames referees as Spurs suffer defeat to Newcastle United | OneFootball

Frank calls out referee mistake after Spurs’ Carabao Cup exit

Referee decision sparks Frank’s frustration

Thomas Frank was left deeply frustrated after what he described as a “big mistake” from referee Chris Kavanagh during Spurs’ 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup. The loss at St James’ Park brought an end to Spurs’ unbeaten away record this season, but the focus post-match was firmly on a contentious moment that shaped the first goal.

Newcastle’s opener came from a corner midway through the first half when Fabian Schar rose highest to head home. Yet the visiting players were incensed, surrounding the referee as Frank remonstrated with the fourth official. The issue centred on a delay before the set piece, caused by Djed Spence losing his boot.

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Frank questions common sense in officiating

As Spence knelt to put his boot back on, Sandro Tonali swung the corner in before the full-back had returned to his defensive position. Frank argued that basic football sense should have prevailed. “I think for me, we conceded two goals because of two mistakes,” Frank said. “Unfortunately, the ref was part of the mistake in the first one. I’m not saying there’s things we can’t do better, but his boot is off, we need to tie his shoelace and tie his boot.”

The Spurs boss added, “You can clearly see on the footage afterwards that the whole boot is off, so we need to do it. And it’s minute 23, it’s not like we delayed the game for one minutes and we have one goal up. It’s common sense to allow him time to get in. So as soon as he had the boot on, the ref let it go.”

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His frustration was as much about the principle as the moment. Frank’s reaction reflected a wider frustration felt by managers across the Premier League this season, who continue to question the consistency and judgment of officiating at key moments.

Costly lapses and lingering frustration

While Frank accepted that his side were responsible for Newcastle’s second goal, there was little consolation in that honesty. Goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky failed to claim a cross, allowing Nick Woltemade to head home into an empty net. “To make it perfect, Djed’s man he had to mark was Schar, that scored,” Frank noted. “So that’s why we were very animated. I think that was the biggest one. I think the rest was fine. There’s always small bits you can be irritated about, but it’s very difficult to ref a game.”

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For Frank, it was not about attacking officials personally but about highlighting the importance of judgment in moments that matter. “This for me was unfortunately a big mistake,” he concluded. “And then we made a mistake ourselves on the second one. So small margins decided the game today.”