Manchester City 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur: VAR denies Pep Guardiola's side a late winner as Spurs grind out draw

By Sporting Life

Football

Sat August 17, 2019 · 5y ago

Man City had an injury-time winner ruled out by VAR as they drew 2-2 with Tottenham at the Etihad.

It was a repeat of their Champions League quarter-final meeting in April, with a late winner and celebrations for the hosts, only to be ruled out by the officials.

Substitute Gabriel Jesus thought he had won it, but Aymeric Laporte was adjudged to have handballed in the build up. Cue furious City players and officials.

City manager Pep Guardiola had earlier appeared to take out his frustration on his star striker Sergio Aguero, having angry words as he substituted him after the hour, but the pair later appeared to make up.

Watch: Saturday's Premier League highlights

Tottenham celebrate Lucas Moura's equaliser at Manchester City

City twice led after Kevin De Bruyne created goals for Raheem Sterling and Aguero in the first half with pinpoint crosses. However, they were cancelled out by Erik Lamela and, with his first touch as a substitute, Lucas Moura.

It was a point Spurs will be happy to take as, despite having Christian Eriksen back in their side, they were outplayed.

The hosts dominated the match, with 30 shots to three, but VAR will take the headlines once again.

Match highlights

Man City 2-2 Tottenham match highlights

Any goal scored or created with the use of the hand or arm will be disallowed this season even if it is accidental.

👉 https://t.co/nVjYr3A3kA pic.twitter.com/VVFGJRNbsm
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 17, 2019

"To be honest, I thought it was a goal ... it's a bit unlucky for City."

Hugo Lloris reacts to the late VAR decision that saved Spurs.

Read the match report and watch highlights from #MCITOT here: https://t.co/JZxT4Ln5an pic.twitter.com/3WJPDGS4NM
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 17, 2019

Opta stats

Manchester City failed to win a Premier League game for the first time in 16 games, since losing 1-2 to Newcastle in January 2019.
Tottenham are without a win in seven away league games (D1 L6) for the first time since a run of eight games without a victory ending in April 2012 (D4 L4).
Manchester City mustered 30 shots in the game, the most Tottenham have faced in a Premier League fixture since November 2011 (31 v Fulham).
Raheem Sterling has been directly involved in seven goals in his last seven games for Man City against Spurs in all competitions (6 goals, 1 assist), including netting five in his last four against them at the Etihad.
Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling has scored in four consecutive club appearances in all competitions for the first time in his career, netting seven goals in those four games.
Kevin De Bruyne has registered three assists in his two Premier League games this season, one more than he managed in the whole of the last campaign.
Sergio Aguero has netted 97 goals at the Etihad in the Premier League, the joint-third highest total by a player at a single stadium in the competition (Henry 114 at Highbury, Rooney 101 at Old Trafford, Shearer 97 at St. James’ Park).
Lucas Moura has been directly involved in five goals in his last five games in all competitions for Tottenham (4 goals, 1 assist), as many as he managed in his previous 20.
All three of the Premier League games where Erik Lamela has both scored and assisted have come against Manchester clubs, twice against City and once against United.