Tottenham Hotspur Football Club News

• Nickname:Spurs
• Founded:1882
• Manager:Harry Redknapp

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Jol questions Ronaldo penalty

05 Feb 2007 - 07:42:06

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Tottenham boss Martin Jol questioned the decision to award Cristiano Ronaldo a penalty in Sunday's 4-0 defeat by Manchester United.

Ronaldo won and converted the spot-kick to send United on their way to restoring their six-point advantage over Chelsea at the top of the table, but Jol claimed Spurs midfielder Steed Malbranque hadn't made contact with the Portugal international in the penalty area.

Nemanja Vidic doubled the advantage after heading home a corner three minutes after half-time and further strikes from Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs completed the rout.

"I don't think it was a penalty but Steed Malbranque stuck his foot out and pulled it in again," said Jol. "He took advantage of that but I don't know. It didn't help.

"The referee must make a decision, he is a human being. He was standing there with a good view of it.

"I wouldn't say Ronaldo was diving. It was a difficult situation.

"All we wanted to do in the second half was to get back into the game but we conceded from a corner and when you are 2-0 down against a team like Manchester United it's difficult.

"I thought we started well in the first half but we gave away space behind our midfield and couldn't win enough balls so we changed it around and after that we had no problems.

"I know my team, we are still growing and when the likes of Jermaine Jenas and Teemu Tainio return, they will give us a bit more strength and we will turn it around."