Spurs fuming over Mendes 'goal'

Pedro Mendes today spoke for the first time of his frustration at being cruelly denied a last-minute winner against Manchester United.

Tottenham should have clinched a famous victory when the Portuguese midfielder's 40-metre lob was fumbled by goalkeeper Roy Carroll, but linesman Ray Lewis did not see the ball cross the line.

The decision astonished the 67,962 crowd - even United director Sir Bobby Charlton admitted: "It was definitely over the line".

The incident has led to renewed calls for the introduction of TV replays to help officials.

Mendes, whose side stay seventh in the Premiership following the 0-0 draw, said: "It is frustrating because we should have won.

"We should have been going home with three points. Now we have to settle for one.

"It would have been an amazing result. Before the game, we said we would have been happy with a draw but now we are really frustrated.

"I saw that Carroll had come forward and was out of his goal.

"The ball came to me so I shot and I hit really well. In fact, I hit it in the goal and it was a goal! Only the referee didn't think so. I know it happened very quickly and the keeper pulled the ball back but you would hope the linesman would be in the right place to see if it was a goal or not.

"I could not see it initially because I was so far away although I had a feeling the ball had crossed the line and, having seen it again, there is no doubt. I know it's difficult for the officials, but it is frustrating for us."