Man City’s late ‘winner’ ruled out
MANCHESTER: Manchester City was held to a controversial 22 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur yesterday, allowing Premier League title rival Liverpool, which won 21 at Southampton, to gain an early twopoint advantage.
Only a point separated the two sides at the end of last season, as City won its final nine home games, but their first outing of this campaign at the Etihad ended in a draw after a VAR review rubbed out Gabriel Jesus’s injurytime effort.
The Brazilian drove in what looked like the winner but, as City celebrated, VAR officials spotted a handball by City defender Aymeric Laporte before Jesus struck home.
The incident had echoes of City’s Champions League exit to Spurs in April, when it also had what would have been a decisive late goal ruled out by VAR.
City manager Pep Guardiola was unhappy at what he saw as inconsistency in the use of the video system.
City took the lead in the 20th minute through a Raheem Sterling header but three minutes later, Erik Lamela brought Spurs back level.
Sergio Aguero restored City’s lead 10 minutes before the break, the excellent Kevin De Bruyne once again the provider, with a low ball.
Mauricio Pochettino made an inspired Spurs substitution when he sent on Lucas Moura in the second half and the Brazilian scored with his first touch, beating Kyle Walker to head in a Lamela corner.
But despite an outstanding contest, the game will inevitably be remembered for the late overturning of Jesus’ goal.
A nervy Liverpool, meanwhile, made it two wins from two as Sadio Mane scored against his former club.
Juergen Klopp’s side, which had been in action in Istanbul on Wednesday when it beat Chelsea in Uefa’s Super Cup, struggled to get going at St Mary’s but produced a moment of quality at just the right time, Mane brilliantly giving it the lead on the stroke of half time.
Mane’s 20th goal in all competitions in 2019 settled Liverpool, which was vastly improved after the break.
Roberto Firmino made it two after capitalising on a defensive mistake from Saints.
Danny Ings’s late goal against his former club was mere consolation for Southampton as Liverpool made it 11 consecutive Premier League wins, equalling its best winning streak in the competition.
‘‘Once we scored the first goal it was easier for us. I’m sorry it is against my old team and sorry I have to score but I’m wearing a Liverpool shirt now,’’ Mane said.
Arsenal also kept up a 100% record but made hard work of getting the better of a determined Burnley side at the Emirates. PierreEmerick Aubameyang’s seventh goal in four appearances against Burnley earned Arsenal a 21 win.
Arsenal manager Unai Emery gave first starts to new signings David Luiz and Dani Ceballos, and the latter was involved immediately, setting up Alexandre Lacazette for Arsenal’s opener.
Burnley, levelled before half time through Ashley Barnes, who scored his third goal of the season from close range.
After the break, Ceballos continued to stand out, setting up Aubameyang for his superb winner, in a match in which Burnley had more shots at goal.
Last season’s Championship top goalscorer Teemu Pukki took his Premier League tally to four with a hattrick to earn Premier League new boys Norwich a 31 win over Newcastle United.
Everton was far from its best against manager Marco Silva’s former side Watford, but Brazilian Bernard’s first home Premier League goal was enough for the host to secure the 10 victory.
A penalty conceded inside 40 seconds set Aston Villa on the back foot against Bournemouth, Josh King converting, before Harry Wilson put the visitor 20 in front.
Villa, which also lost its opening match, piled on the pressure in the second half but Douglas Luiz’s 30m stunner was all it could muster in reply. — Reuters