Tottenham's Clint Dempsey was not happy with referee Ovidiu Alin Hategan, who denied him a goal on his full debut for the club against Lazio.
American unhappy to have goal ruled out
Tottenham's Clint Dempsey was not happy with referee Ovidiu Alin Hategan, who denied him a goal on his full debut for the club against Lazio.
Spurs played out a goalless draw with Lazio in their Group J encounter at White Hart Lane - but they had three goals disallowed.
Jermain Defoe's effort was flagged for offside and looked the correct call, but further efforts from Dempsey, also ruled out by the linesman, and Steven Caulker, adjudged to have fouled Stefano Mauri, were also disallowed.
"I thought I was level with the line, it was a good ball from (Gareth) Bale and as it went in I thought I'd opened my account but it was waved offside," said Dempsey.
"That's the way it goes sometimes, they defended well, set up to counter attack and were tough to break down.
"But we had some chances and were unlucky not to get the goal tonight."
Dempsey was a deadline-day capture from Tottenham's cross-city rivals Fulham, and despite being denied the chance to register a first goal, the American is pleased with the way things are going.
"It's good to be getting games," he added. "I'm trying to create chances or trying to get on the end of things, I can play in other positions.
"They were tough to break down, they set out to defend and played for the counter.
"We had some good chances and were unlucky not to get a goal."
Caulker
Defender Steven Caulker also had his goal ruled out for a perceived push on his marker.
"I thought it was a little harsh but I haven't seen the replay yet," he said.
"I'm glad to keep a clean sheet and I think we'll go forward in the next game.
"They're one of the stronger sides in the group so we're pleased with the point.
"We set out to win but we'll rebuild and go again."
