Ange Postecoglou denies goading Spurs supporters in the defeat to Chelsea (beIN Sports)
Ange Postecoglou insists he was not goading Tottenham fans by cupping his ear during their 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on Thursday evening.
Enzo Fernandez put Chelsea in front in the 50th minute with a header from Cole Palmer’s cross, while Spurs had struggled to create clear-cut chances and required a fine save in the first half from Guglielmo Vicario to deny Jadon Sancho a goal for the hosts.
Spurs fans then booed Postecoglou and chanted, ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’, for his double substitution in the 64th minute as Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert were replaced by Pape Matar Sarr and Brennan Johnson.
Postecoglou then thought his side had scored an equaliser as Sarr struck a long-range effort past Robert Sanchez.
During the celebrations, the Spurs boss was seen turning to the away section at Stamford Bridge and cupping his ear before the goal was ruled out by VAR for Sarr’s foul on Moises Caicedo in the build up.
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‘It’s amazing how things get misinterpreted,’ Postecoglou said when asked about the incident.
Ange Postecoglou cupped his ear to Spurs fans before their goal was ruled out (Premier League Productions)
Ange Postecoglou says his gesture to Spurs fans was ‘misinterpreted’ (Peacock)
I just wanted to hear them [Spurs fans] cheer. We just scored a goal, I wanted to hear how loud they could be.
‘I don’t care what people… it’s not the first time my substitutions got booed.
‘We scored a cracking goal, I wanted them to get excited, and that’s what I was listening for. So if people want to read anything else into it.’
Speaking after Spurs’ 16th defeat in the Premier League this season, Jamie Redknapp said of Postecoglou’s situation: ‘There’s a disconnect between the two at the moment. It’s not ideal for the manager.
‘He’s got some big games ahead. He’s got to keep his head up, got to keep going, working hard and believing in what they do.’
The loss at Stamford Bridge has left Spurs 14th in the Premier League with 34 points in 30 matches and without a win in four games.
Spurs host Southampton in the next Premier League fixture on Sunday.
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