Leeds United substitute Noah Okafor scored the only goal barely a minute after coming on, ending Tottenham Hotspur’s mini-revival on Saturday afternoon.

There was much controversy in the heated encounter between the two sides. The first involved a potential handball shout on Spurs midfielder Mateus Fernandes, but VAR checked and cleared the possible penalty. Adding to the drama, Jayden Bogle was then somewhat fortunate to avoid a red card for his strong tackle on Mathys Tel.

The incident happened before half-time, with Bogle landing his studs on the young Frenchman’s left Achilles. The Leeds United defender was not booked by the referee, John Brooks, and while VAR reviewed the challenge, they did not deem it to meet the threshold for serious foul play, much to the frustration of Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi.

Mathys Tel went off injured after reckless Jayden Bogle challenge

In a potentially significant injury blow, Mathys Tel felt the aftereffects of Bogle’s clumsy challenge and was substituted before half-time. The Independent claims that the versatile forward was unable to continue and was replaced by Dominic Solanke in the 43rd minute. He initially tried to carry on before signalling to the Spurs bench, leading to a sad, premature end to his game.

VAR spent over four minutes reviewing the incident to determine whether it was a red card offence, only for the referee to be told to stick with the on-field decision.

“The referee’s call of no red card to Bogle for the challenge on Tel was checked and confirmed by VAR,” said the Premier League Match Centre. The statement added VAR Tony Harrington’s verdict to Brooks: “I’m confirming the on-field decision of no red card. There’s a lack of speed going into the challenge and he’s stepping into the tackle. Confirming a reckless challenge”.

Tel’s injury added to the anger of from the club’s support and De Zerbi. What was even more baffling was that Bogle escaped with the challenge scot-free. De Zerbi’s attacking options have already been decimated by injury this season, and the Lilywhites will now be left to sweat over the extent of the youngster’s setback.

It also leaves Tel’s participation in the upcoming international break in tatters, after the 21-year-old was reportedly pre-selected in Zinedine Zidane’s preliminary squad for the France national team’s November UEFA Nations League matches against Italy and Turkey.