'I think': PGMOL's Howard Webb delivers verdict on controversial Tottenham incident

Tottenham Hotspur's recent result against Everton sparked a lot of debate among fans and professionals alike as the struggling Toffees managed to claim a big point at Goodison Park.

For Sean Dyche's side, it was a positive result in their fight against relegation but for Champions League chasing Spurs, it was a frustrating afternoon. The 2-2 draw saw former Evertonian Richarlison fire his side in front after just four minutes before scoring his brace just before half-time.

Goals from Jack Harrison and Jarrad Branthwaite snatched a point for the Blues but many Tottenham fans felt hard done by after the first equaliser. Supporters believed goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was fouled during Harrison's goal, claiming the Leeds United loanee had fouled the goalkeeper as the corner-kick floated in.

The incident was checked by VAR and officials agreed Vicario was 'weak' in the situation before ruling in favour of the on-pitch decision. In the latest instalment of the Premier League's 'Match Officials: Mic'd Up', PGMOL chief operating officer Howard Webb weighed in on five incidents from the last four weeks, including the Vicario incident at Goodison Park.

"I think this one's just OK. We know that players are entitled to their space on the field. Jack Harrison's entitled to his space just as much as Vicario is, as everybody else is. I think that he [Harrison] places his feet down. He might use his body a little bit. He doesn't step clearly into the path of Vicario," Webb analysed.

"He doesn't usher him into the back of the goal. He doesn't drag his arms, which is important for the goalkeeper, of course so I think this is just on the side of acceptability. If people are trying to nullify goalkeepers, that can be really impactful, so we have to be careful and mindful of that. But I think this one is one that's just on the right side of acceptability. 

"Harrison's entitled to his space, he uses a bit of strength, and I don't see a clear action that takes the goalkeeper out. That impedes the goalkeeper in a way that I'd want to see if I wanted this to be penalised but we're asking the on-field officials to deal with this first and foremost, necessarily rely on VAR because a lot of these are subjective calls."

Spurs have since banked three points from their last two fixtures — beating Brighton but losing out to Wolves. They are currently fifth in the Premier League table, just two points adrift of the top four. Tottenham were originally scheduled to next take on Chelsea this weekend, but with the Blues headed for the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, the fixture has been postponed.