‘I have no fingernails left’: Tottenham fans’ nerves shredded after incredible clash with Man City as VAR saves them in injury time to send them through to Champions League semi-finals
- Tottenham went through to Champions League semi-final on away goals
- They suffered 4-3 defeat by Manchester City at Etihad in thrilling game
- In injury time Raheem Sterling thought he’d scored winner but it was ruled out
- Etihad erupted thinking City had scored late winner only to be deflated
Tottenham fans were put through the wringer on Wednesday night as their side squeezed past Manchester City to reach the Champions League semi-finals.
In a memorable game, City took a 3-2 lead just 21 minutes into the match and the fans could hardly believe what they were seeing.
Raheem Sterling broke the deadlock with a brilliant curling strike after four minutes but Son Heung-min then equalised and fired Spurs in front.
Tottenham looked devastated as it seemed Manchester City had scored a late winner
But after VAR checks, Raheem Sterling’s effort was ruled out for offside in added time
Bernardo Silva brought City back on terms before Sterling added another to put them ahead on the night having lost the first leg 1-0.
The tension ratcheted up in the second half and Sergio Aguero’s thumping effort looked like it could be enough to send Pep Guardiola’s side through.
But Fernando Llorente bundled home a third for Spurs, though the referee failed to spot his handball on VAR after being shown the wrong angle.
Then, in injury time as Spurs looked to run down the clock, Christian Eriksen gave the ball away and Manchester City thought Sterling had completed his hat-trick and scored the winner.
The Etihad erupted and it was a good minute before they realised the goal was to be ruled out for offside.
It was a cruel twist for the hosts and a moment for heart palpitations from the Spurs fans.
Son Heung-min celebrated in front of the ecstatic Spurs supporters at the end of the game
Their angst was reflected on Twitter as the club’s official account sent out: ‘Huge moment as Sterling’s late strike is ruled out by VAR!’
There were a huge number of replies underneath, one using a Homer Simpson heart attack gif, another opting for SpongeBob SquarePants.
‘Just when you thought you couldn’t have any more heart attacks today,’ was another offering and ‘I have no finger nails’, summed up the rollercoaster of emotions.