Pep Guardiola laments 'tough' VAR decision after Man City are denied victory vs Tottenham

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Joe Krishnan17 August 2019

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola was left to rue VAR after the controversial video decision system cost his side victory against Tottenham for the second time in the space of four months.

City thought they had snatched a deserved late winner when Gabriel Jesus curled home in stoppage time, with the scores locked at 2-2.

But 30 seconds after the champions had celebrated the goal, referee Michael Oliver blew his whistle to disallow the goal after Aymeric Laporte was adjudged to have handled in the build-up.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino conceded his side had benefited from the decision, similar to their away goals victory in the Champions League in April, while Hugo Lloris admitted City "were unlucky".

But their words would provide no consolation for a frustrated Guardiola, who questioned the use of VAR throughout the game.

Fury: Pep Guardiola was frustrated with the VAR decision that cost his side victory. Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

"I thought we left that situation in Tottenham in the Champions League last season," he told Sky Sports.

"But it is the same. The referee and VAR disallow it. It's the second time [it's happened] - it's tough. It's honestly tough but it's the way it is.

"It happened last week with Wolves and we saw for Chelsea on Wednesday - the keeper wasn't on his line - Adrian in the penalty shoot-out.

"They have to fix it. The whistle inside matches now isn't quite clear. But they believe it's hands with Llorente in the Champions League and sometimes they don't."

Guardiola was also incensed that City were not awarded a penalty after Erik Lamela appeared to wrestle Rodri to the ground in the penalty area in the first half.

Gabriel Jesus protests to referee Michael Oliver after his goal is chalked off. Photo: Action Images via Reuters
Action Images via Reuters

The decision was not referred to VAR and the Catalan coach was left scratching his head as to how his side were denied the chance to review the incident.

"It was incredible it wasn't a penalty in the first half [for the foul on Rodri in the box] but VAR said it wasn't and then at the end they did," he added.

"I'm pretty sure people were happy today we just need to work harder at scoring our chances."

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