Jermaine Jenas, the Tottenham midfielder, has accused referee Howard Webb of "crumbling under pressure" after his controversial penalty award to Manchester United during Saturday's Premier League match at Old Trafford.

With United trailing 2-0 in the second half, Webb pointed to the spot after adjudging Heurelho Gomes to have brought down Michael Carrick, the midfielder, in the penalty area. Replays confirmed the impression that the Tottenham goalkeeper had made contact with the ball.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the resultant spot-kick and the champions went on to win 5-2 to restore their three-point lead in the Premier League with a game in hand.

"I think it was a case of a referee crumbling under the pressure at Old Trafford really," said Jenas. "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.

"I think he will definitely admit he got that one wrong. It was a very important moment in the season."