JOSE MOURINHO’S Spurs survived a battering from VAR and a dominant Manchester City display to pull off an extraordinary victory.
In a first half of drama and mayhem, Mourinho was enraged by VAR official Kevin Friend failing to give Raheem Sterling a red card and by a penalty being awarded against Serge Aurier two minutes after a questionable foul on Sergio Aguero.
Steven Bergwijn had a debut to remember as he led Spurs to victory against Man CityCredit: Reuters
The Dutch ace put Spurs 1-0 up after 63 minutesCredit: Getty Images
But when City were reduced to ten men by Oleksandr Zinchenko’s second yellow card on the hour mark, Spurs scored with their first two shots of the match – from debut boy Steven Bergwijn and Son Heung-Min.
The result leaves Spurs just four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea after the best result of Mourinho’s White Hart Lane reign against his old foe Pep Guardiola.
The first major VAR controversy arrived when Sterling was booked by ref Mike Dean for a strong 12th-minute challenge on Dele Alli.
Son Heung-Min scored Spurs second of the nightCredit: Reuters
Hugo Lloris saved a penalty from Ilkay Gundogan in the first halfCredit: AFP
As Kevin Friend checked in Stockley Park, slow-motion replays suggested it was a potential leg-breaker but Sterling got away with it – sending Mourinho into a rage on the touchline.
Before all hell truly broke loose, Sergio Aguero struck the post when he shot just as he was tackled by Toby Alderweireld, after a dodgy Davinson Sanchez pass had put Spurs in trouble.
Then came the chaos as Serge Aurier – who had already survived a decent penalty shout for a push on Sterling – brought down Aguero.
Dean decided he’d won the ball but two minutes later, Friend told the on-field ref to award a spot-kick, leaving Mourinho seething again.
Lloris gave away a second penalty immediately after his save against GundoganCredit: Getty Images
VAR overturned the second penalty decision amid scuffles between the playersCredit: Reuters
Yet Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty was well saved by Hugo Lloris, only for Sterling to go down as he challenged the French keeper for the rebound.
As a melee broke out, VAR decided not to award a second spot-kick but nor was Sterling handed a second caution for diving – as the TV officials are not able to hand out yellow cards.
Yet Toby Alderweireld and, crucially, Zinchenko were booked for their part in the scuffling.
Aguero shot into the side-netting from close range in first-half injury-time – with City 11-0 ahead on the shot count at the break.
Jose Mourinho found the whole penalty saga highly amusingCredit: Rex Features
OIeksandr Zinchenko was sent off for a second yellowCredit: Reuters
City’s Argentine striker had a shot cleared off the line and, with Lloris, still stranded, Sterling squared to an off-balance Gundogan who fired over with the goal at his mercy.
But on the hour it all changed when Zinchenko fouled Harry WInks to halt a Tottenham break and was sent off for his second yellow.
Zinchenko paid the price for City’s tactical foulsCredit: Getty Images
Bergwijn was subbed off injured minutes after his goalCredit: Reuters
Bergwijn, a £27million signing from PSV Eindhoven, then converted Totttenham’s very first shot of the match on 63 minutes, collecting a Moura pass, chesting down, swivelling and firing home low for an absolute peach.
And eight minutes later, it was all over, Son drilling home from a Tanguy Ndombele pass – Spurs now with two goals from two shots, City with none from 14.
That stat ended up 18-3 in City’s favour but meant nothing for Guardiola.
Bergwijn has already endeared himself to the Tottenham fansCredit: Reuters
Jose Mourinho has great fun interviewing himself about transfers at Tottenham press conference
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
