Last updated at 12:01 AM on 19th September 2011

I'm glad that Liverpool had two players sent off on Sunday; not because I don't like them or Kenny Dalglish and certainly not because I enjoy seeing players sent off; far from it.

I was pleased because the referee at White Hart Lane, Mike Jones, could easily have been affected by the furore that followed Dalglish' criticism of referees so far this season following the Reds defeat at Stoke last weekend.

A Scot of bother: Adam was sent off after this late challenge on Tottenham's Parker

I felt at the time that the Scot's attack was a well considered tirade to both deflect criticism away from Liverpool's defeat and apply pressure to referees in future games.

Dalglish even had a meeting with PGMOL referee manager, Mike Riley, following his complaints and Riley will have assured him that there is no substance to Liverpool's belief that there is a vendetta against his side.

Seeing red: The Liverpool midfielder was sent off in the first half

Such an assurance should not be needed but the mere fact it had been made could have affected the referee for Liverpool's next Premier League game.

It was always going to be a tough away assignment for Liverpool and they chose to play an over aggressive way which Jones handled perfectly.

Charlie Adam had to be cautioned for pulling Luka Modric back after being beaten in midfield. To then lunge into a challenge just 15 minutes later was crazy and Adam can consider himself fortunate not to be shown a straight red card as he caught Scott Parker very high up and with some force.

Jones also could not be faulted for his consistency. Martin Skrtel was cautioned for pulling back Gareth Bale and was dismissed for another ill-judged and unnecessary tackle on the same player.

Last weekend I suggested that rather than focus on referees Dalglish should work on his players finishing after they missed a hatful of chances at The Britannia Stadium; this week it must be work with players on when to make challenges. There can be no further attempt to cover up his teams failings by blaming referees.

My last word on the excellent and well deserved 4-0 win for Spurs would be to congratulate Jones, a referee I have often criticised for his tolerant approach.

Yesterday he was strong and consistent and should be heartened by the praise he got from all quarters. Proof that the way to excel at officiating is to be positive and decisive when necessary – well done Mike.