Ex-PGMOL chief: Tottenham star could be reported to the FA for what he did during defeat to Man City

Tottenham Hotspur experienced a disappointing defeat at the hands of Manchester City, ending their three-match winning streak in the Premier League. The match, which ended 1-0, saw City secure all three points courtesy of a goal from their star forward, Erling Haaland. The goal, which came early in the 12th minute, was the only goal of the game and proved to be enough for Pep Guardiola’s side to continue their push for a top-four finish. For Spurs, this loss marked a frustrating setback, particularly considering their previous run of victories. The match, which took place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, highlighted several areas of concern for the team as they struggled to convert opportunities and deal with certain controversial moments.

The game started with Tottenham on the back foot, as they failed to match the intensity and rhythm of Manchester City. Spurs had a slow start, with the visitors quickly asserting their dominance in possession and pressuring Tottenham’s defense. City had the better of the play, with Haaland proving to be a constant threat. The early goal from Haaland came from a quick attack that saw the Norwegian striker get into the right place at the right time to finish a cross into the box. Haaland’s clinical finish in the 12th minute left Spurs trailing early, and it set the tone for much of the first half. The goal gave Manchester City the momentum, and they controlled the flow of the game for the remainder of the first 45 minutes. Tottenham, on the other hand, struggled to get going. They failed to create meaningful chances or get a foothold in the game.

Guglielmo Vicario, Tottenham’s goalkeeper, was perhaps the most notable player for Spurs during the first half. Despite being under pressure for much of the first half, Vicario made some crucial saves that kept his side in the match. One particularly important save came when Haaland, after a good pass from his teammates, found himself in front of goal. Vicario responded well, denying Haaland a chance to double City’s lead. There were also a couple of other key saves made by Vicario throughout the first half that ensured Tottenham only trailed by a single goal going into the break. Spurs’ defense looked shaky at times, and the midfield struggled to assert itself, but Vicario’s heroics meant the scoreline remained manageable.

At halftime, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou likely had some serious words for his players. The team came out for the second half looking like a completely different side, showing much more intent and urgency. The shift in performance was noticeable, and Spurs were finally able to get a grip on the game. They began to dominate possession, with much of the play taking place in City’s half. Spurs started creating more opportunities and looked much more dangerous than they had in the first half. Despite their improvement, however, they failed to convert any of the chances they created, which proved to be costly in the end.

Wilson Odobert had a golden opportunity to equalize just ten minutes into the second half, but he missed the target. The young player had a good chance to bring Spurs level, but his shot went wide, and the frustration among Tottenham players began to grow. Soon after, Brennan Johnson and Mathys Tel both had half-chances, but neither could get a proper shot on target. Tottenham’s inability to take advantage of these opportunities was a major factor in their eventual defeat. The pressure mounted as the game progressed, and Spurs grew more desperate in their attempts to break down City’s defense.

The most dramatic moment of the match came in stoppage time, when Tottenham had a final chance to salvage a point from the game. Pedro Porro delivered a cross into the box that deflected off Son Heung-min’s back and fell to Pape Matar Sarr. The midfielder had a perfect opportunity to head the ball into the empty net, but instead, Sarr completely missed the target, sending his header over the bar. The miss was a heartbreaking moment for Tottenham, as it summed up their lack of clinical finishing throughout the match. The entire team, including manager Postecoglou, was left in disbelief as the chance to equalize slipped away.

As the match entered its final stages, there was an added layer of drama involving a potential second goal from Manchester City. In the final moments of stoppage time, Haaland appeared to have scored again, but the goal was ruled out after a lengthy VAR check. The decision was based on a potential offside or foul in the buildup, but it sparked a prolonged period of stoppage time. The already extended added time, which had been a topic of some discussion earlier in the match, continued to drag on as Tottenham’s players protested the decision. The stoppage time seemed to last forever, and by the time the referee, Jarred Gillet, blew the final whistle, it had entered its ninth minute.

The long stoppage time and the eventual final whistle led to significant protests from Tottenham’s players. Heung-min Son, in particular, was seen arguing with referee Gillet, making his frustration with the situation clear. Son, who had been visibly upset throughout the game, was involved in a heated exchange with the referee. He was unhappy with the way the game had been officiated, especially in terms of the added time and the decisions surrounding the disallowed goal. The protests from Son and other Tottenham players became a talking point in the aftermath of the match, and many felt that their reaction was understandable given the circumstances.

Former PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) chief Keith Hackett weighed in on the controversy surrounding Son’s behavior after the match. Hackett, a respected figure in the world of refereeing, expressed his disapproval of Son’s conduct, suggesting that the Tottenham star could be reported to the FA (Football Association) for his actions. Hackett, who praised referee Jarred Gillet’s overall performance during the game, was critical of Son’s post-match behavior. He believed that Son had crossed a line by engaging in a sustained protest against the referee after the final whistle. Hackett felt that Son should have been shown a yellow card for his actions, and he went further to suggest that the referee could include Son’s behavior in his match report, which could lead to disciplinary action.

In Hackett’s opinion, Son was fortunate to avoid a sanction for his actions. He felt that Gillet had done well throughout the match, with his decision-making being mostly confident and correct. Hackett pointed out that the disallowed goal, which had been ruled out for a handball, was a correct decision by the referee. He also noted that the extended stoppage time, which had been a point of contention, was ultimately the referee’s call. Hackett emphasized that according to Law 5 of the Laws of the Game, the referee is the sole timekeeper, and it is the referee’s responsibility to determine how much time should be added on. Hackett felt that Son’s protests regarding the added time were misplaced and that the player needed to accept the referee’s authority.

Hackett’s comments about Son’s behavior sparked a wider debate about the role of players and referees in managing on-field conduct. Some felt that Son’s protests were a natural reaction to a frustrating match, especially given the missed opportunities and the controversial VAR decisions. Others, however, believed that the behavior of Tottenham’s players, particularly Son, was disrespectful and unprofessional. Regardless of where one stood on the issue, it was clear that the final moments of the match had been charged with emotion, and the protests added an extra layer of controversy to an already tense game.

For Tottenham, the loss to Manchester City was a bitter blow, and it raised questions about the team’s ability to perform in high-pressure situations. Despite the positive signs in the second half, Tottenham’s inability to convert chances remained a key issue. The team’s attack looked disjointed at times, and the missed opportunities in front of goal were a major factor in their defeat. The loss also highlighted the importance of finishing chances in the Premier League, where even the smallest mistakes can be costly.

Looking ahead, Tottenham will need to regroup and focus on improving their clinical finishing if they are to remain competitive in the league. The match against Manchester City showed that they have the potential to compete with the top teams, but they must take their chances when they come. Manager Ange Postecoglou will likely focus on addressing the attacking inefficiencies in training, as well as ensuring that his players maintain their discipline and composure in difficult moments.

The controversy surrounding Son’s protests will also be a point of focus for the team. Whether or not any disciplinary action is taken against Son remains to be seen, but the situation serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining professionalism, both on and off the field. While it is understandable for players to be frustrated after a tough loss, it is crucial for them to express their feelings in a constructive manner and avoid crossing the line into disrespectful behavior.

In the coming weeks, Tottenham will need to bounce back from this defeat and show that they can handle the pressure of competing in the Premier League. The loss to Manchester City may have been a setback, but it is not the end of their season. With a strong response, they can get back on track and continue their push for a top-four finish. The team’s response to this defeat, both on the field and in terms of their conduct, will be a key factor in determining their success for the rest of the season.