David James has told BBC Live’s coverage that Manchester City should have been awarded a penalty in the final few minutes against Tottenham on Sunday afternoon – when Hugo Lloris and Rodri engaged in an aerial battle in the box.
Spurs secured a wonderful 1-0 win in a record-breaking evening for Harry Kane. The 29-year-old England skipper got the goal that made him Tottenham’s all-time record goalscorer, taking his tally to 267 – one more than Jimmy Greaves.
It was also a goal that saw him become the third-ever player to break into the 200 club, alongside Wayne Rooney on 208 – and leading Premier League goalscorer Alan Shearer on 260. Just as importantly, it was a massive win for Spurs.
With Antonio Conte in Italy overcoming surgery, Cristian Stellini watched his side edge Manchester City out to win 1-0. Kane’s goal the difference – as City piled on the pressure in the final moments. Spurs went down to 10 men late on.
A Jack Grealish clip into the box saw Rodri challenge Lloris in the box. Rodri won the header and then clattered into by Lloris. The referee did not give a penalty and VAR did not get involved. James says VAR should have intervened.
James: Manchester City should have been awarded penalty at Tottenham
“Lloris is guilty of this. It has to go to VAR, Rodri has gone for the ball. If Rodri is the only man to make contact with the ball then it is a foul. It hasn’t been given which means Lloris had to have got the ball so it should have been a corner.”
It is an interesting one. James has missed that if it was a foul on a player with the ball on the ground, then Rodri are in control of it. Given it is a cross into the box, neither Rodri or Lloris are in control. Both are entitled to go for the ball.
It would have been understandable if a penalty was given but ultimately, it was a coming together that both players were challenging for. Not a clear foul. Perhaps, there needs to be a law inserted to clear up what is a grey area.
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