Jermaine Jenas has questioned the nerve of ref Howard Webb after Tottenham's defeat to Manchester United on Saturday. Tottenham Hotspur were leading 2-0 when Webb pointed to the spot in the 57th minute after Heurelho Gomes, the Spurs goalkeeper, appeared to get a hand to the ball before making contact with Michael Carrick's legs. Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the spot to put United on their way to a 5-2 victory and back to the top of the league.

"It was a prime example of a referee crumbling under pressure at Old Trafford," Jenas, the Tottenham midfield player, told The Times. "The atmosphere, the occasion, the importance of the match, a lot of factors take their toll when making decisions.

"One thing which struck me about it was that he didn't even think. It was like he'd already made his mind up when he came out for the second half that he was going to give something."

Jenas is convinced that Liverpool would still be top of the table if Webb had not awarded the penalty.

"This is a team today whose season was nearly in ruins," Jenas said. "It was a very important moment in the season in terms of the title, but more often than not, these decisions go this way. It's just something that happens and it's part of football."