Tottenham’s Champions League hopes were left in tatters after a defeat at Sheffield United that will be remembered for one of the most controversial VAR decisions of the season.

Ham & High: Sheffield United's Sander Berge celebrates scoring his side's first goalSheffield United's Sander Berge celebrates scoring his side's first goal (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Spurs are now seven points behind Wolves and Manchester United with six games to play and looking out of the race after Sander Berge, Lys Mousset and Oli McBurnie goals gave the Blades their first win since the restart.

But that is not the main story as Jose Mourinho’s men were denied a quickfire response to the Blades’ opener by a VAR call that again highlights the questionable handball rule.

Harry Kane slotted home, but VAR official Michael Oliver ruled Lucas Moura had handled the ball in the build-up, having been fouled and the goal was chalked off, leaving Spurs enraged.

They let that affect them and struggled for a way back into the game, with Mousset and McBurnie adding goals for Sheffield United in the second half before Kane did eventually get on the scoresheet.

Ham & High: Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane reacts during the Premier League match at Bramall LaneTottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane reacts during the Premier League match at Bramall Lane (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

That leaves Mourinho’s men realistically looking at the Europa League as their only way into Europe next season and even that is not in the bag.

The Blades, who had taken one point from their first three games since the restart, have reignited their own European ambitions with the win and climb above their visitors into seventh, with Spurs languishing in ninth.

Mourinho’s men had been the better side in the opening 30 minutes, but struggled to turn their dominance into chances.

They would have wanted the ball to fall to anyone but Moussa Sissoko on the edge of the area as the Frenchman failed to make proper contact and shot straight at Dean Henderson.

Ham & High: Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane (centre) and Eric Dier speak with match referee Chris Kavanagh at half timeTottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane (centre) and Eric Dier speak with match referee Chris Kavanagh at half time (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Mourinho’s side had been in control at the back but found themselves behind in the 31st minute.

The Blades found space down the left and overlapping centre-back Chris Basham teed up Berge, who found the bottom corner from eight yards out for his first goal for the club.

Spurs thought they had levelled inside two minutes as Kane rolled home after a loose ball landed at his feet, only for VAR to get involved.

In the build-up to the goal, Moura was brought to the ground and John Egan’s clearance crashed into the shoulder of the Spurs forward, with the ball then rolling to Kane.

Ham & High: Sheffield United's Lys Mousset celebrates scoring his side's second goalSheffield United's Lys Mousset celebrates scoring his side's second goal (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

But VAR official Oliver ruled that the Brazilian had grazed the ball with his hand as he was falling and the goal was ruled out, leaving Mourinho and Spurs enraged.

Their mood only got worse soon after as Oliver Norwood, less than 90 seconds after picking up a yellow card, clearly raised a hand against Son Heung-min but went unpunished.

Spurs were knocked off their stride by their sense of injustice and unable to regain their intensity.

They were completely outplayed and outworked by the Blades in the second half as Wilder’s men found their verve that made them so good before the season’s suspension.

Ham & High: Sheffield United's Oliver McBurnie celebrates scoring his side's third goalSheffield United's Oliver McBurnie celebrates scoring his side's third goal (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Mousset gave them breathing space in the 69th minute as Ben Osborn and Enda Stevens combined well down the left, with Stevens cutting back for the striker to tap in.

Tottenham’s defence was cut open for a third time in the 84th minute, this time on the right as Berge breezed past Son and crossed for McBurnie to drill home from close range.

Kane did find the net in the 90th minute as he poked home from Son’s centre, but it was too late to matter.

Spurs: Lloris, Aurier (Ndombele 71), D Sanchez, Dier, Davies (Vertonghen 81), Sissoko (Alli 71), Lo Celso, Lucas Moura, Bergwijn (Lamela 56), Son, Kane.

Ham & High: Sheffield United's Lys Mousset (right) and Tottenham Hotspur's Eric Dier battle for the ballSheffield United's Lys Mousset (right) and Tottenham Hotspur's Eric Dier battle for the ball (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Unused subs: Alderweireld, Winks, Gazzaniga, Skipp, Fernandes.

Referee: Chris Kavanagh.

Ham & High: Tottenham Hotspur's Erik Lamela (left) and Sheffield United's John Egan battle for the ballTottenham Hotspur's Erik Lamela (left) and Sheffield United's John Egan battle for the ball (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Ham & High: Sheffield United's Oliver McBurnie and Tottenham Hotspur's Davinson Sanchez (left) battle for the ballSheffield United's Oliver McBurnie and Tottenham Hotspur's Davinson Sanchez (left) battle for the ball (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Ham & High: Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho speaks to his players during a drinks breakTottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho speaks to his players during a drinks break (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Ham & High: Tottenham Hotspur's Moussa Sissoko during the Premier League match at Bramall LaneTottenham Hotspur's Moussa Sissoko during the Premier League match at Bramall Lane (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Ham & High: Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris during the Premier League match at Bramall LaneTottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris during the Premier League match at Bramall Lane (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Ham & High: Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min controls the ball during the Premier League match at Bramall LaneTottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min controls the ball during the Premier League match at Bramall Lane (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Ham & High: Sheffield United's Oliver Norwood and Tottenham Hotspur's Lucas Moura (right) battle for the ballSheffield United's Oliver Norwood and Tottenham Hotspur's Lucas Moura (right) battle for the ball (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Ham & High: Tottenham Hotspur's Steven Bergwijn (left) and Sheffield United's Sander Berge battle for the ballTottenham Hotspur's Steven Bergwijn (left) and Sheffield United's Sander Berge battle for the ball (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)