"If all things were equal, we would have won today."

That was the answer Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou repeated SIX times in less than two minutes after watching his side lose to Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.

The Aussie felt aggrieved with an incident that happened just six minutes into the lunchtime showdown, with the ball striking Joelinton's arm just seconds before Anthony Gordon equalised for the travelling side. Eddie Howe admitted, as did many Newcastle fans, that the ball did indeed strike the arm of the Brazilian in the middle of the park - but no foul was awarded either in real time or after close inspection via VAR.

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"What I’m saying is, on any given day with a fair and even playing field and logical thought processes we would have won that game, that’s it," Postecoglou told reporters moments after that blunt, aforementioned tunnel interview with the BBC. "You can make what you want of that. I don’t know what else to say about it."

To paint this as some kind of Spurs robbery is inaccurate. In truth, the North London showpiece was a fairly even one, that could have gone either way on the day.

Tottenham, actually, enjoyed fewer shots on goal than their opponents, as well as the same amount of shots on target. Ange's men recorded a lower XG total, took fewer corner kicks, and created significantly fewer so-called 'big chances'. To act as though they have been conned of a win after some unbelievable performance is just plain wrong.

Newcastle, in truth, could have had their own complaints about the officiating had the result not gone their way. Anthony Gordon needed treatment for a bloody nose after taking a shoulder to the face inside the penalty area - without receiving a spot kick - while Dominic Solanke went unpunished after catching Martin Dubravka with a high boot to the chest.

The sixth-minute flashpoint will dominate the news cycle for the coming days but the Premier League rulebook has been followed to the letter. The natural positioning of Joelinton's arm, the accidental nature of the ball strike and the fact the move did not 'directly' lead to a goal mean VAR were correct not to overrule referee Andy Madley's decision.

To some based in the white half of north London, that third point may seem strange. However, Joelinton's interception took place over 30 yards out from goal and while Newcastle did score moments after the contentious incident, the Brazilian did not directly assist the goal or score it himself.

Many thought the tie would be a whitewash given the amount of injuries and ailments the hosts had heading into the first top flight clash of the weekend. Instead, Postecoglou's threadbare and youthful squad held their own and earned the respect of their manager after the full-time whistle.

However, his embarrassing comments after the full-time whistle have taken the spotlight away from his brave players and the impressive displays of youngsters such as Bergvall, Archie Gray and goalkeeping debutant Brandon Austin. One decision in the sixth minute doesn't entitle the boss to cry foul in a game his side lost fair and square.