Burnley manager Sean Dyche believes Tottenham Hotspurmidfielder Moussa Sissoko should have been sent off during his side's 2-1 loss at White Hart Lane.
Introduced as a substitute, Sissoko was booked for a rash challenge on Burnley's Stephen Ward, a high challenge which led with the studs, and Dyche claimed his side were yet again dealt a cruel blow by the officials after Sissoko escaped with only a yellow card before going on to set up Danny Rose's winner just moments later.
It is very cruel. We were very good today. A lot has been made of our away form but first half we were excellent and in the second we were at least decent against a top side," Dyche toldBBC Sport.
I don't want go on about the referee but Moussa Sissoko has to go off and he sets up the second goal - obviously I am very disappointed about that.
They are a top-class side but we do need the rub of the green. My players' reaction to a clear sending off is he gets up. If he does 14 rolls then the ref is under pressure. It is a clear sending off in my opinion.
It was a blind challenge, a high challenge and simply a red card."
Burnley matched Spurs for long periods of the game, taking the lead in the first-half through Ashley Barnes before Dele Alli equalised. Sissoko then teed up Rose in the 72nd minute, and the left-back converted the winner from close range.
We are a work in progress. We have taken strides forward in the last couple of away games,� Dyche concluded.
The defeat leaves Burnley in 16th place in the Premier League, just three points above Sunderland who occupy 18th place. Their next fixture sees the Clarets entertain Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.