Tottenham Hotspur have been told they should have defended better for Fabian Schar's opener in the Carabao Cup clash at St James' Park - regardless of complaints about the set-piece for that Newcastle United goal.
Spurs manager Thomas Frank was furious on the touchline that the Magpies' opener was allowed to stand. Djed Spence was down on the ground, tying his shoelace and out of position, as Eddie Howe's side prepared their set-piece routine.
The newly-capped England right-back had just risen to his feet when Newcastle swung the corner in with Swiss defender Schar rising highest to nod the ball into the back of the net.
Commentating on ITV's coverage of the game, Lucy Ward said: "All the talk was about set-pieces and how good Spurs were, both managers conceded that Newcastle also were [dangerous].
"He's still putting his boot on. Manages to stand up, but you see, Schar, it's too easy for him. I think that it's Lucas Bergvall making him.
"Spurs are trying to make a complaint to the referee that they weren't ready. Certainly, Fabian Schar was. Simple ball into the box, a number of players running, getting the contact, not defending well enough."
Co-commentator Sam Matterface added: "Spurs fans are furious, and so are the players. Pedro Porro is leading the charge and having a word with referee Chris Kavanagh for allowing them to take that set-piece when Djed Spence was still tying his shoe laces.
"Like you said, they took a long time to tie his shoe laces and I think the referee just thought; 'Get on with it'."
On Sky Sports, meanwhile, Jamie Redknapp said the decision was a controversial one but, by the letter of the law, the referee did not have to stop play from continuing.
"It's certainly a contentious one, if you actually look at the corner before the goal, you can see Djed Spence has an important role in this goal. There's Spurs' set-up, and they've got a few players in good areas, Djed is there marking Thiaw and Woltemade - marking zonal as well.
"He's in that space, this is important. Now, they [Newcastle] try to do a clever one here, with Barnes attacking the ball, they've [Spurs] got a numerical advantage when that happens.
"What subsequently happens when they get their next corner, Elanga and Spence go in for a challenge. Elanga's boot actually catches Djed Spence's.
"There's no communication - obviously - because they've got a goalkeeper who hasn't been playing for a while. Spence gets his studs caught in his boot so his laces are messed up. He's got to get his shoes back on.
"I'm not one who gives footballer's a lot of sympathy, but I genuinely do have sympathy for him here. I would just say Chris Kavanagh, have a breath, let him come back in.
"Pedro Porro is going to say to him [the referee]; 'Just wait'. You've got Richarlison; 'Just wait a second here'. The numerical advantage that Newcastle have plays an important role.
"Spence doesn't get in, in time and Schar gets up. I think it has huge implications on the goal."
Jobi McAnuff agreed that it was a harsh decision. He said: "I think it's really harsh, you look at where the ball ends up and that's an extra body where Djed Spence is going to be in that area.
"For me, I think if he was further away from the linesman, Chris Kavanagh and the linesman have then got to communicate. You've got a player down doing his laces. Let him get back up, and into the box, to defend his position."
When asked if there was any way that the referee thought Spence could be attempting to stop a short corner, McAnuff said: "No way. Referees should know he's clearly got an issue with his laces."
"By the letter of the law," Redknapp interjected, "The referee hasn't got to stop the game. If a player is doing his laces up. Otherwise, people would use it to their advantage - as we know - everyone is trying to gain something.
"The stud has genuinely got caught in his boot, and so the lace is a bit of a mess. It's an unwritten rule in football. Newcastle wouldn't have complained [about waiting until Spence was in position].
"You would have just waited because you knew what was at stake. I think Chris Kavanagh wants to get on in the game, but it's had a massive effect on the goal for sure."
Former Newcastle United striker Les Ferdinand disagreed with his fellow pundits - as he told ITV: "You can see Porro has his hand in the air to get the referee's attention. Go and stand on the ball and walk back from it slowly. The referee might come and say get back from the ball but you walk away slowly.
"They can't do that and expect the referee to say; 'No, stop he's putting his boot back on'."
Fellow ex-Magpie Andy Cole went on: "Defend the corner. It's as simple as that, defend the corner, man down or not you've got to do the right things.
"It's a bit schoolboy-ish. You're playing professional football, the referee isn't going to say put your boot back on, and we can go from there. Get on with it."
