Source: Daily_Mail
Roy Carroll, Pedro Mendes, the linesman... no one can forget Spurs' phantom goal
It is one of the most talked about goal-line incidents since the 1966 World Cup.[LNB]It is January 4, 2005 - Manchester United and Tottenham are goalless at Old Trafford after 89 minutes when Spurs midfielder Pedro Mendes spots Roy Carroll well off his line in the dying moments and attempts to beat the United keeper with an ambitious effort from just over the halfway line. [LNB] Not even close: Carroll spills the balls well over the line but the goal was not given[LNB]Although Carroll gets back in time, he spills the ball two yards over his line but instinctively turns to scoop it away with his right hand. With referee Mark Clattenburg and his assistant Rob Lewis too far away from the incident to judge, Mendes is denied a winning goal and United escape with a point. [LNB]Forgotten what happened? Enjoy the moment again...[LNB] [LNB]As Spurs head for a crucial meeting at Old Trafford again this weekend, those who witnessed the controversy first-hand that night give their version of events.[LNB]ROY CARROLL - HE 'SAVED' THE SHOT He kept a clean sheet: Carroll[LNB]It's a long time ago now, but it was one of those freak incidents. I just tried to keep it out when it happened, and scooped it away.[LNB] I got up and the stadium was very quiet afterwards. I thought it was in, but the referee and assistant never gave it. [LNB]I looked at the linesman to see if it had gone over the line but it was one of those where you just carry on, as the other players did. [LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson didn't say much about it after the game, to be honest.[LNB] We were just disappointed that we'd drawn 0-0 with Spurs at home. [LNB]I'm hoping they get the three points against Spurs this time and still pip Chelsea to the title.[LNB]PEDRO MENDES - HE 'SCORED' FROM 50 YARDS The scorer that never was: Mendes[LNB]I saw that Roy Carroll had come forward and was out of his goal. [LNB]The ball came to me so I shot and hit it really well. It was clearly over the line. Really, really over. [LNB]I've never seen one so over the line and not given in my career. [LNB]I know it happened very quickly and the keeper pulled the ball back, but you would have hoped the linesman was in the right place to see if it was a goal or not. [LNB]My reaction on the pitch was to celebrate.[LNB] It would have been a superb goal and something to remember, scoring the winner at Old Trafford in that way. [LNB]Beckham scored with a lob like that and it would have been great. It's not every game you score from the halfway line.[LNB]ROB LEWIS - THE LINESMAN WHO MISSED THE 'GOAL'The Spurs player had a pot-shot from distance and I was doing my primary job which was to stand in line to watch for an offside. You have to be 100 per cent to give goals.[LNB] There was nothing I could have done apart from run faster than Linford Christie. I pride myself on being fast over a short distance but when the ball landed I was still 25 yards from goal and it was impossible to judge if it had crossed the line. [LNB] The men in the middle: Rob Lewis (left) did not see the ball cross the line so ref Mark Clattenburg did not award the goal[LNB]I was disappointed because I always like to get decisions right. [LNB]The Tottenham players were brilliant - they were shaking my hand and saying there was no way I could give a decision where I was. I also had 14 text messages from other refs saying I could have done no more.[LNB]KEITH HACKETT - THE EX-REFEREES' CHIEFI was at Old Trafford that night and I felt sick about what happened. Sick to the stomach, in fact. I was frustrated that I couldn't help. From my seat in the stand I could see what the match officials couldn't.[LNB] I recall the importance of the game and how the Manchester United defence had pushed out almost to the halfway line. Rob Lewis, the linesman in that half, had gone back to be in line with the second rearmost defender to judge offsides.[LNB] Final whistle fury: Michael Carrick and Robbie Keane complain about the non-awarding of their goal[LNB]Suddenly there was a speculative shot from distance and I see Roy Carroll drop the ball over the line. Quite clearly over. But I had the advantage of elevation. The match officials at ground level had no chance.[LNB]That night was the catalyst for me putting forward proposals about goalline technology. I felt the game needed it and I still believe that to be the case. The officials were gutted, of course, and took some criticism. [LNB]Mark Clattenburg, the referee, hadn't a chance of doing anything and some of the comments were quite unfair. I remember being grateful for the magnanimity of Tottenham's manager Martin Jol. It was an important game for him, but he didn't turn on the officials at all.[LNB]GORDON McQUEEN - THE STUNNED SKY TV PUNDITI've seen some crazy things on a football field but nothing like that. Roy Carroll was almost in the back of the net when he got the ball out. And you only had to look at his face as well - he couldn't believe he'd got away with it. It was an astonishing incident. Comical.[LNB] It's there: But it wasn't despite what McQueen said at the time[LNB]I was covering the game in the studio and I shouted 'goal' at the time (Sky briefly flashed the score as Man United 0 Tottenham 1). There was no question in my mind it was over the line the moment I saw it, but we had all the camera angles and a brilliant view. [LNB]It looked terrible for the officials but it was understandable why the linesman missed it because not one person in the stadium was expecting that. It caught everyone off guard. It wasn't a shocking decision at the time bit the officials never stood a chance.[LNB] Bale set for Spurs stay as Redknapp rules out Manchester United move I'm going nowhere! Sir Alex Ferguson has no plans to retire from Manchester United After seeing off Arsenal and Chelsea, Spurs head to Old Trafford confident they can... Party like it's 1989ALL THE WEEKEND BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM NEWSLennon boost for Spurs and England as winger is set to face Man UnitedHow a night on Barcelona's carousel put Michael Carrick's career in a spinTottenham set to bolster ranks with move for Espanyol's MarquezMANCHESTER UNITED FC
