BREAKING: Tottenham given immediate response to controversial Newcastle United goal

Tottenham Hotspur have been told they didn't defend well enough to prevent Fabian Schar's opening goal for Newcastle, despite protests against the goal being given.

Schar opened the scoring at St. James' Park in the 24th minute when he headed Sandro Tonali's corner past Antonin Kinsky. However, Spurs players were furious with referee Chris Kavanagh after Djed Spence was left out of position when the corner was taken due to him tying his laces.

"The Spurs fans are furious and so are the players," Sam Matterface said on ITV Sport's coverage of the Carabao Cup game. "Pedro Porro is leading the charge and having a word with referee Chris Kavanagh for allowing them to take that set-piece when Djed Spence was still tying his shoe laces."

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Sue Smith added: "All the talk was about set pieces and how good Spurs were, both managers conceded that Newcastle also were [dangerous].

"He's still putting his boot on. Manages to stand up, but you see, Schar, it's too easy. I think it's Bergvall making him. Spurs are trying to make a complaint to the referee that they weren't ready. Certainly, Fabian Schar was. Simple ball into the box, a number of players running, getting the contact, not defending well enough."

Richarlison was booked for his protests after the goal went in. Speaking about the goal on Sky Sports, Jamie Redknapp admitted he felt sorry for Thomas Frank's side.

"It's certainly a contentious one, if you actually look at the corner before the goal, you can see Djed Spence has an important role in this goal," he said when showing a corner defended by Spurs prior to Schar's opener.

"There's Spurs' set-up and they've got a few players in good areas, Djed is there marking [Malick] Thiaw and [Nick] Woltemade - marking zonal as well.

"He's in that space, this is important. Now they [Newcastle] try to do a clever one here with Harvey Barnes attacking the ball, they've [Spurs] got a numerical advantage when that happens. What subsequently happens when they get their next corner, Elanga and Djed Spence go in for a challenge. Elanga's boot actually caught Djed Spence's.

"There's no communication obviously because they've got a goalkeeper who hasn't been playing for a while. Spence gets his studs caught in his boot so his laces are messed up. He's got to get his shoes back on.

"I'm not one who gives footballer's a lot of sympathy, but I genuinely have sympathy for him here. I would just say Chris Kavanagh, have a breath, let him come back in.

"Pedro Porro is going to say to him [the referee] 'just wait.' You've got Richarlison 'just wait a second here.' The numerical advantage that Newcastle have plays an important role.

"Spence doesn't get in, in time and Schar gets up. I think it has huge implications on the goal."