LONDON • There are great goals, lucky goals, own goals, winning goals and now, in the era of the video assistant referee (VAR), the "provisional goal".
No game highlighted the new normal more than Wednesday's extraordinary Champions League quarter-final second leg between Manchester City and Tottenham, which ended 4-3 on the night and Spurs progressing 4-4 on away goals.
Raheem Sterling thought he had the winner and his hat-trick in added time, with his manager Pep Guardiola punching the air maniacally and the Etihad Stadium erupting in delirium.
However, referee Cuneyt Cakir had other ideas, signalling the goal had been overruled after a video review and leaving Guardiola on his knees as their hopes of an unprecedented quadruple died.
"I watched the action and the people from above decided it (City's disallowed goal) was offside," said the Spaniard. "In the moment, we celebrated and we were so close to the semi-finals. It is cruel, but it is what it is and we have to accept it.
The Spurs players, who moments before looked utterly distraught, revelled in the knowledge that they, and not City, were going through.
Son Heung-min, their match-winner in the first leg and the hero on the night after twice capitalising on poor giveaways by City defender Aymeric Laporte in the first half, declared their progression to a last-four clash with Ajax as "madness".
The South Korea forward, who now has 11 goals in 11 games with England striker Harry Kane absent, said: "I have never seen something like this, it was a very tough game, a very crazy game.
FAIR DECISION
I didn't see the ball because I had other players in front of me, then the ball came to me on the hand... but I think it was a goal.
FERNANDO LLORENTE, Tottenham striker, saying that Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir was right to allow his controversial goal to stand.
RIGHT CALL
Replays clearly showed that Sergio Aguero was offside when the ball deflected off Bernardo Silva and into the striker's path.
MARK CLATTENBURG, former Premier League referee, on the officials making the right call to disallow Raheem Sterling's stoppage-time goal.
"Sometimes you are annoyed with VAR but, today, it is 'thank you and good decision'. We fought together for 90 minutes."
The crazy game started with a breathless 21 minutes, which went 1-0, 1-1, 1-2, 2-2, 3-2, before Kevin de Bruyne dished out his third assist to tee up Sergio Aguero to make it 4-2 just before the hour.
City thought they had reached only their second semi-final of Europe's elite competition, the first time since 2016 - only to be foiled by Fernando Llorente's "one of the best moments in my career".
The substitute's decisive goal 17 minutes from time was allowed to stand after a VAR review to check for a handball.
The Spain striker insisted Spurs could go all the way after reaching the European Cup semi-final for the first time since 1962.
He said: "To do this with an unbelievable team and be for the first time in the semi-finals of the Champions League with these teammates is crazy."
Despite the controversy over the ball brushing Llorente's arm before going in off his thigh, former Spurs great Glenn Hoddle said it was the correct decision. Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand disagreed; he felt Spurs had made their own luck.
Even Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, one of the more vociferous critics of VAR, accepted that on this occasion, his side had benefited from the technology.
Declaring "that is why we love football", the Argentinian said: "It was unbelievable, the way it finished. My players are heroes to be here. I'm so happy for them, for the fans. Today, we showed great character and great personality."
His players now have the opportunity to write themselves into folklore, with the first leg against Ajax on April 30 at their new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where they are unbeaten in three games.
The clubs' first clash in the competition also holds a special meaning for defenders Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld.
The May 8 reverse fixture marks the first time the Belgian pair will return to Amsterdam since leaving Ajax in 2012 and 2013 respectively.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Book now for a comfortable and affordable journey from Derby to London. With services running throughout the day and fares starting from £7.70 one-way* on National Express coaches you can be sure to find the perfect journey to discover London, its history, culture and nightlife.
Goals - Decisions in London, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester
LONDON (REUTERS) - England captain Harry Kane has his heart set on ending his playing career in the United States kicking field goals for a team in the National Football League (NFL).. Read more
Harry Kane wants to end career as NFL kicker - citizentv.co.ke
Arsenal back to winning ways with 2-1 victory at Huddersfield Alex Iwobi deflected strike gave Arsenal 16th-minute lead Alexandre Lacazette's 10th league goal of season made it two Late own goal from Sead Kolasinac was consolation for hosts Arsenal still without away Premier League clean sheet all season Huddersfield bottom, 13 points from safety; Arsenal stayed sixth Arsenal host
Soccer: Iwobi, Lacazette lead Arsenal to win at Huddersfield
Thibaut Courtois said Real Madrid had "chances to kill off the game" as the star goalkeeper lamented his side's 2-2 draw away to Villarreal in LaLiga. Thibaut Courtois rues Real Madrid's missed
Barcelona rues missed chances in Clasico draw vs - FOX Sports
Football. LONDON — Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba quickly deleted a controversial social media post of him smiling after manager Jose Mourinho was sacked by the club on Tuesday. Mourinho was dismissed on Tuesday after United's worst start in 28 years left them trailing Premier League leaders Liverpool by 19 points.
JUST IN: Dembele takes part in full training ahead of United clash Viktoria Myznikova 1 month ago Sport 25 Comments Ousmane Dembele has trained with the team on Monday without experiencing any problems.
Watford's Gray strikes late winner to spoil Rodgers' Leicester debut BENGALURU: Watford's Andre Gray scored a stoppage-time winner as Leicester City began life under new boss Brendan
Football: Watford's Andre Gray strikes late winner to spoil
The long trophy streak has, at long last, been broken. After hoovering up all 11 trophies on offer in the previous three seasons, Albirex Niigata finally tasted defeat when Home United triumphed 5-4 on penalties to lift the Community Shield last night as the new Singapore Premier League (SPL) season kicked off.
Home snap Albirex's title-winning streak - theworldnews.net
Football: Ex-FAS general secretary Winston Lee withdraws
Football: Liverpool 'did all we could' in Premier League race, says Klopp Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp applauds at the end of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Klopp : Liverpool 'did all we could' in Premier League race
Klopp Excited By Premier League Title Fight. after the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Liverpool at The London Stadium, in east London on February 4, 2019
Klopp excited by Premier League title fight - World Soccer Talk
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/02/08/klopp-excited-by-premier-league-title-fight/
Liverpool (AFP) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists the Premier League title race is something to get excited about rather than stressed about despite seeing his side overhauled by Manchester City in the past week. City climbed to the top of the table on goal difference with victory against
Klopp excited by Premier League title fight - punchng.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment