LONDON –Tottenham Hotspur snatched a 1-1 draw at home to Premier League basement club Watford on Saturday thanks to a fiercely contested late strike from Dele Alli that was awarded after a VAR review.
Alli pounced on a lapse from Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster and used his shoulder to control the ball before firing into the empty net in the 86th minute, cancelling out Abdoulaye Doucoure's sixth-minute opener for the visitors.
Watford, who had had a penalty claim turned down when Gerard Deulofeu was felled by Jan Vertonghen, claimed Alli had used his arm and were incensed by the turnover, which left them still without a win after nine Premier League games.
Spurs' only chance in a drab first-half display was a tame shot from Alli which was easily saved by Foster.
Embattled Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino turned to Son Heung-min at the start of the second half and the South Korean nearly equalised when he smashed a high shot at goal which Foster turned on to the crossbar.
Spurs looked headed for a third straight defeat following a 7-2 humiliation by Bayern Munich and a 3-0 loss at Brighton and Hove Albion until Foster failed to grab a loose ball and Alli took full advantage.
Tottenham are seventh in the Premier League standings on 12 points after nine games. Watford remained bottom on four points.