aul Heckingbottom hit out at what he considered as “appalling” officiating in Sheffield United’s dramatic 2-1 defeat to Tottenham.
The Blades led within the eighth minute of stoppage-time in north London, seemingly on the verge of sealing their first Premier League win of the season.
Nevertheless, Richarlison powered dwelling a header from a nook, earlier than the Brazilian arrange Dejan Kulusevski to fireplace past Wes Foderingham within the a centesimal minute as Spurs sealed a exceptional comeback to increase their unbeaten begin to the League marketing campaign.
The fourth official supplied a serious enhance to each the Spurs gamers and the house followers when his board revealed 12 minutes had been added on on the finish of the second half, that determine resulting from quite a few Sheffield United gamers requiring remedy and Foderingham taking his time over restarts. The Blades goalkeeper was already on a yellow card by that time, after dealing with the ball exterior his space earlier than the break.
Heckingbottom’s frustration was clear after the match, with the Sheffield United boss claiming that his aspect had been hampered by having to vary their type of play.
“Something needs to be done now,” Heckingbottom informed Sky Sports activities.
“And this is not me moaning, I said it half-time and when we were 1-0 up as well. The focus is on timewasting so the referees are dictating how we play. We set up from the back, then Spurs push forward and then that dictates how we play. But no, we’re just told to play long. You can’t do it.
“Wes (Foderingham) got a yellow card for handling outside the box and then got threatened with a sending off (for timewasting) you can’t do it. The officiating is appalling, and it’s not about the football decisions, it’s just game management.
“My worry is all the focus is on yellow cards for time wasting and when I talked to the referees they haven’t got a clue what I’m talking about. They’re officiating the game, they simply do not know the game.”
Sheffield United’s depressing conclusion to the match continued when Ollie McBurnie was proven a second yellow card for dissent within the last seconds, having been booked for a visit earlier within the half.
Heckingbottom was sad with that sending off, in addition to the choice to solely present Micky van de Ven a yellow card when he collided with Foderingham shortly after the break.
“Then to sum it all up we get Ollie McBurnie sent off for telling the referee someone is pulling his shirt,” Heckingbottom stated.
“We’ve just seen someone lead with an elbow into our goalkeeper who needs stitches and that’s the same offence. What’s going on, seriously what’s going on with our game?”
