“I think more important than my view of the penalty is that everyone saw what happened,”
, Manuel Pellegrini – 14/02/2016.
Goals; Iheanacho (74'); Clattenburg Kane (53' pen), Eriksen (83')
Line Up (4-2-3-1); Hart, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Kompany, Clichy (Kolorov 75'), Toure, Fernando (Iheanacho 66'), Fernandhino, Silva, Sterling, Aguero
Stats;Possession, 46%/54%; Shots, 19(4)/6(3); Fouls, 12/17
Line Up (4-2-3-1); Hart, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Kompany, Clichy (Kolorov 75'), Toure, Fernando (Iheanacho 66'), Fernandhino, Silva, Sterling, Aguero
Stats;Possession, 46%/54%; Shots, 19(4)/6(3); Fouls, 12/17
Mark Clattenburg is the worst type of referee. Not only has he a long long string of controversial performances under his belt, but he is an attention seeker. Presumably laying, what he sees, as the foundations of a future in punditry, or even TV. Hell, the guy is even signed to an agency firm! City have fallen foul of his poor displays on countless occasions, and he had already shown his ability to make headlines in his display in the same fixture at White Hart Lane earlier in the season. So his announcement as official for this game was treated by all City fans with both bemusement and dread.
Unfortunately Clattenburg lived up to his reputation. Whilst awarding the penalty against Sterling on 53', whatever imagined congratulations and applause he heard from the voices in his head; they had no basis within the laws of the game. Sterling was facing away from the ball. The ball hit Sterling's chest first and foremost, with only a secondary bounce appearing to hit his elbow (which it may not have done). Sterling in no way does anything consciously to handle the ball. So as per the rules "handles the ball deliberately" did not come into the equation.
Up until that point, despite better possession, Tottenham had been limited to one long range effort from Eriksen in the first half. City were in control. Unlike the Leicester game last week, City had set up well for Tottenham's tactics, and nullified any attacking threat. City sat more than usual, were prepared for the high pressing, and although not firing on all cylinders, had created more meaningful attacks and continued to do so throughout the game (see stats above). Iheanacho's equaliser on 74', crashing the ball over Lloris from a slick cross from Clichy, was the least City deserved on the day. The fact that Tottenham then went on to win from another incorrect decision (offside given against Aguero, denying him a run on goal) and Tottenham scoring from the resulting free-kick, just adds insult to injury...
