In round 2 of the 2023-24 Premier League, VAR caused controversy when it denied Man Utd a penalty kick in a situation where the ball touched a Tottenham player's hand in the penalty area.
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| In round 2 of the 2023-24 Premier League, Man Utd were unlucky to play away at Tottenham. (Source: Getty Images) |
Man Utd lost 0-2 at Tottenham despite Ten Hag's team not playing badly, even in the first half, the away team played much better than the home team. Statistics after the match showed that the "Red Devils" had 22 shots, 16 more than Tottenham. Unfortunately, this was an unlucky match for Man Utd, they were turned away by luck and VAR.
Man Utd confidently played away at Tottenham, Ten Hag's team created a balanced game after the opening whistle. In the attack, Man Utd were much sharper than the home team. In the 13th minute, Man Utd players broke through on the right side of the center, Rashford entered the penalty area and shot from a narrow angle, goalkeeper Vicario successfully blocked the ball.
10 minutes later, Rashford escaped to receive a cross from his teammate, unfortunately he headed over the bar from a distance of only about 6m. In the 26th minute, Garnacho took a shot from outside the penalty area, Romero let the ball touch his hand in the penalty area.
Slow motion replays showed the Tottenham defender swinging his arm wide as he lunged to block the shot, with the ball deflecting off Romero's arm and going wide. Romero's arm clearly prevented Garnacho from scoring. However, referee Oliver, after consulting VAR, only awarded Man Utd a corner, much to the surprise and protest of the away team's players.
In the 33rd minute, Fernandes broke the offside trap to receive a cross from Shaw. At a distance of only about 5m, facing the goal, the Portuguese midfielder headed the ball out. Fernandes covered his face in regret after missing a delicious scoring opportunity.
Tottenham had a few counter-attacks for a long time but they were not really impressive. The home team only really played well in the last few minutes of the first half. In the 40th minute, Porro launched a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area, the ball hit the crossbar and bounced out. Tottenham then still won the ball and the post saved Man Utd after the ball bounced off Shaw's foot.
Entering the second half, Tottenham still maintained the same fighting spirit as at the end of the first half. Creating good attacking pressure, the home team opened the score in the 49th minute. Kulusevski broke through on the right, passed the ball to Martinez and bounced to the left, Sarr rushed in to score the opening goal. Man Utd's defense system played loosely in this loss.
Man Utd rallied after conceding a goal. In the 52nd minute, Antony missed the chance to equalize for the visitors when his shot hit the post and bounced out. Four minutes later, Casemiro headed a free kick, but goalkeeper Vicario jumped up and pushed the ball over the bar. Gradually, Man Utd did not create as much attacking pressure as in the first half, and the visitors' scoring opportunities gradually decreased.
While still unable to find an equalizer, Man Utd conceded a second goal. In the 83rd minute, from a seemingly harmless shot from his opponent, Martinez let the ball hit his foot and change direction into his own net. The second goal was the end for Man Utd.
| Lineup (scoring) Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Vicario 7.5; Porro 7 (Royal 88), Romero 7, Van de Ven 7, Udogie 6.5 (Davies 70, 6.5); Sarr 7 (Hojbjerg 76), Bissouma 8; Kulusevski 7.5 (Solomon 88), Maddison 7.5, Son 6; Richarlison 5.5 (Perisc 70, 6). Man Utd (4-1-4-1): Onana 6.5; Wan-Bissaka 6.5 (Dalot 66, 6), Varane 6, Martinez 5, Shaw 7; Casemiro 7; Antony 6.5 (Eriksen 66, 6), Fernandes 7, Mount 6 (Pellistri 85), Garnacho 6 (Sancho 66, 6); Rashford 6.5 (Martial 85). |
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