Spurs knocks out Manchester United out of the UEFA champions league, with the help of the VAR of course, after Sterling’s extra time goal that would have given him a supposed hat-trick on the night was ruled as an offside.
The Wednesday night game lived up to all expectations, and although thousands if not millions of hearts were broken, especially those of the Etihad faithfuls, I doubt if there is anyone that saw that game and did not loved it every minutes of it.
It took our concentration away from that of Porto Vs Liverpool clash, that was how dramatic it was at the Etihad.
The goal that relieved Tottenham and broke that of Manchester City fans was that of Sterling, who celebrated alongside Pep Guardiola only for the goal to be reviewed and ruled offside by VAR.
All Etihad had celebrated the goal that put the ‘citizens’ in the semifinals. Pep Guardiola had run for the band and everything. But the VAR annulled the target for offside. Bernardo Silva touched the ball invalidating the play.
The game between Manchester City and Spurs showed why the two teams in the last three season have failed in the champions league, as their game management at this stage of the competition were poor.
The defenses and how players rushed at each ball, leading to five goals inside 21 minutes, showed they both could suffer against an experienced teams at this stage in the competition.
This could be a thing of worry for Pochettino in the semifinals stage, as they face a more youthful and talented side in Ajax.
Sterling put Manchester City up with a lovely finish and Tottenham responded almost immediately as Son capitalized on Laporte’s errors to level the game.
Tottenham was ahead a few minutes later but on the next play it was Bernardo Silva. With de Bruyne as the channel of the celestial soccer, those of Pep tightened. The Belgian gave Sterling 3-2 before the break.
After the restart, Agüero, after another assist from De Bruyne, made it 4-2.
Fernando Llorente came in from the bench to add another goal for Spurs. Llorente’s goal which was somewhat controversial was given baby VAR.
After the VAR review, it showed that VAR hit him on the hip but the VAR checked the play in case there was a hand. It was not canceled.
Tottenham won the game on aggregate, having scored 3 away goals to that of City which was 4, but no away goal from the first leg.