Play to the whistle. If you've played any kind of sport, especially as a kid, you've probably heard that one before. Yet somehow it slipped the mind of Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes against Manchester United on Saturday.

With six minutes to go, United winger Nani burst into the Spurs penalty area and tumbled to the ground under a challenge from Younes Kaboul. Nani, presumably believing he had been fouled, reached out and grabbed the ball, thinking referee Mark Clattenburg would call a penalty. Except Mr. Clattenburg...