Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate was unhappy with the opening goal in the 2-0 defeat to Spurs.
Boro boss fumes at Bale goal
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate was unhappy with the opening goal in his side's 2-0 Carling Cup defeat to Tottenham.
Boro had withstood some heavy pressure from Spurs during the opening 70 minutes, before the home side finally made the breakthough.
Robbie Keane came off the bench to thread a ball through to goalscorer Gareth Bale - but Aaron Lennon, who was offside, also continued his run and appeared to impede Andrew Taylor, who was trying to get back and clear, but to no avail.
Not happy
"We have no argument about the fact Bale was onside," said Southgate.
"However, what I do feel is that Lennon, who was clearly offside, was interfering with play.
"Our defender at the back was Taylor and, to try and get into position, he had to run around Lennon. Obviously this impeded his efforts to get the ball.
"There was a lot of confusion, but having had the chance to look at it again it was clear that Lennon was interfering and the goal should not have stood.
"If I've got that wrong, perhaps I should go on another course to learn what the offside rule is."
Positives
Southgate thought there were some positives for Boro on an otherwise disappointing evening in North London, including the display of second half substitute Tom Craddock.
"There were many plus points but I don't want us to get used to getting beaten," he said.
"We put out a side which was as strong as we could and we certainly competed and on another day may have got something from the game.
"It was good to see players like Tom Craddock get a chance, he looked nice and lively when he came on. But overall we have to be disappointed, we've lost a cup-tie and I don't want to get into a habit of losing."
