Alex Ferguson unleashed a tirade at linesman Simon Beck following Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Sunday. The United coach was angry that Beck did not raise his flag after Steven Caulker appeared to trip Wayne Rooney in the 62^nd minute.

"For me it was a poor performance by [Beck],” Ferguson said. “Why he never saw the penalty kick from Wayne Rooney and some other decisions …” The Scot added that Beck had failed United before: "We remember him well from his time at the Chelsea game [in April 2010] when [Didier] Drogba was three yards offside and he gave onside. He had a shocking game. I'm disappointed in his performance, I really am. He had a bad game and we never got anything on that side of the pitch."

Clint Dempsey equalized for Spurs in the 93^rd minute following a move that resulted from a poor clearance from goalkeeper David De Gea. "Tottenham worked their socks off, you have to give them credit for that,” Ferguson said. “You cannot deny them the point as they worked ever so hard for it.” The draw left United five points clear of second-place Man City at the top of the Premier League table.

Tottenham coach Andre Villas-Boas understood the penalty decision was controversial but felt his team deserved the draw. "The penalty [non-award for Rooney] is going to be debated but I hope it does not mar the game," Villas-Boas said. "We played better, we had 61 percent possession and United had four chances. We take our boost of confidence from that."