Tottenham fans are all saying the same thing and pointing their finger at one man: the referee. Another Europa League final ruined by officiating?
It's very easy to say this, but it seems pretty clear who the referee sided with in that Europa League final first half. Several soft calls were given against Tottenham and and many tougher calls weren't given against Man United.
Regardless, Tottenham head into the second half a goal ahead of Man United, thanks to a Brennan Johnson goal, which fumbled into the back of the net somehow. Hey, they all count when all is said and done.
This, fans can certainly be positive about. In a final like this one, the first goal can often be decisive. While Spurs won't get ahead of themselves, to head into the interval a goal ahead will do wonders for the players' confidence, particularly those who have never played in a final before.
Tottenham fans furious with Europa League ref after first-half calls
Fans just hope that in the second half of the game, the referee allows the game to flow much smoother than he did in the first. After all, if this scoreline remains the same, the last thing Spurs fans would want is to sit through double digits of stoppage time.
This is supposed to be soccer, the sport that never sleeps. However, the game felt like watching NFL with the number of delays and restarts caused by the referee.
Watching the Europa League final, grumbles and sighs could be heard every few minutes. It seems like the officials just don't want the game to flow, and it's impossible to stay invested as a fan when the game is constantly being halted, and players and constantly being spoken to
How there were only two minutes of stoppage time for that first half is beyond me, but hey... Spurs are one step closer to getting their hands on that trophy. And Son isn't even on the pitch yet...
I know, I know. I won't speak too soon.