City rue VAR again as late winner is ruled out
Gabriel Jesus was denied a lastgasp winner by VAR as Tottenham snatched a remarkable draw against champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The Brazilian looked to have claimed a deserved victory for City right at the death of an intriguing Premier League clash, but his late strike was ruled out for a handball by home defender Aymeric Laporte.
The scenes as the goal was chalked off were reminiscent of the dramatic ending to last season’s Champions League tie between the two sides at the same venue last season.
The ruling made the encounter extra frustrating for City, who had completely dominated proceedings and racked up 30 shots to the visitors’ three in what looked a one-sided encounter in the stats department.
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.
City twice led after Kevin De Bruyne created goals for Raheem Sterling and Argentina star 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 Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen back in their side, they were outplayed.
City enjoyed almost complete
possession in the opening minutes and created their first opening when Kyle Walker sped into the box to tee up Sterling, whose effort was blocked by Kyle Walker-peters.
City appealed for a penalty when Rodri went down in the box under a challenge from Lamela, but referee Michael Oliver gave nothing and VAR did not intervene in the situation.
Yet it was not long before the opener came, with De Bruyne clipping a superb cross to the far post for Sterling to head
in his fifth goal of the season in only his third game after 20 minutes.
Spurs had seen little of the ball up until this point, but they caught City by surprise by hitting back with an immediate equaliser.
Record signing Tanguy Ndombele threaded through a ball for Lamela on the edge of the box and the Spaniard curled a low shot past an unsighted Ederson, whose positioning was also questionable.
The setback hardly knocked City out