Spurs’ Pochettino ‘unhappy’ to beat Chelsea with VAR penalty
LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino said he was “unhappy” to see his side beat Chelsea 1-0 in the first leg of their English League Cup semi-final via a disputed penalty awarded by VAR. Harry Kane scored the only goal at Wembley after 26 minutes with a spot-kick given when referee Michael Oliver called on video replay.
Chelsea were convinced Kane was offside before racing into the box, where he was brought down by Kepa Arrizabalaga as the Blues goalkeeper came off his line. It took more than 90 seconds for VAR to confirm Kane was onside before referee awarded a penalty. “I don’t like the VAR,” Pochettino said. “Today we get the benefit of it but after watching the World Cup and league like La Liga, I see nobody is happy from day one they started to use it.”
Chelsea boss Maurizio insisted a Blues video showed Kane in an offside position and also questioned why VAR was now being used in League Cup ties but not in the Premier League. “A few minutes ago I watched the video from our camera. It was offside. Our camera was in line with Harry Kane,” Sarri said. Kane said: “I played to the whistle and nicked it round the keeper, it was a clear penalty. VAR is there for a reason and they got it right.”
BAGAN BEAT MINERVA
KOLKATA: Mohun Bagan blanked defending champions Minerva Punjab 2-0 in the I-league. Omar El Hussieny scored a penalty and Dipanda Dicka scored in the 69th minute. It was a winning start for coach Khalid Jamil. Bagan are 6th with 18 points. Minerva are 7th with 13 points.
RONALDINHO ELATED
RIODEJANEIRO:RONALDINHO left his footprints in the Hall of Fame in Maracana Stadium. His footprints will now be displayed alongside those of Brazilian greats Pele and Zico.