Janice R. Andrews
Tottenham Hotspur claimed a thrilling 4-3 victory over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Thursday, but the match’s dramatic ending has sparked controversy. The Football Association (FA) is reportedly set to investigate an “unusual” incident surrounding Tottenham’s fourth goal, which drew heated protests from the Red Devils.
Tottenham’s Quarter-Final Triumph
The North London side knocked Manchester United out of the competition, building on their recent form. Dominic Solanke opened the scoring in the 15th minute, with Dejan Kulusevski doubling the lead early in the second half. Solanke then dazzled again, turning Lisandro Martinez inside out before adding a third goal in the 54th minute.
Tottenham’s commanding 3-0 lead was shaken after goalkeeper Fraser Forster made two costly errors, allowing Manchester United to claw back with goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Amad Diallo. However, Heung-Min Son restored Spurs’ cushion, scoring directly from a corner following an error by United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. Although Jonny Evans found the net in added time to make it 4-3, it wasn’t enough to save United’s campaign.
Controversy Over Son’s Goal
The turning point came in the 89th minute, as Son’s corner goal triggered outrage among Manchester United players. Bayindir claimed he had been fouled by Lucas Bergvall during the corner, a protest echoed by captain Bruno Fernandes. Both received yellow cards for their complaints to referee John Brooks.
Former PGMOL official Keith Hackett commented on the controversy, emphasizing the absence of VAR at this stage of the competition. “Bayindir’s claims of being fouled will be reviewed by the FA’s disciplinary panel,” Hackett stated. Despite the availability of stadium replays, the lack of VAR left the referee to rely solely on his on-field perspective.
Why VAR Was Missing
The Carabao Cup does not implement VAR until the semi-finals to ensure fairness for teams playing at smaller venues without access to the technology. While this decision aims to create a level playing field, it leaves earlier matches more vulnerable to contentious decisions.
What Lies Ahead
As the FA investigates the incident, their findings could have significant implications for officiating and the competition’s rules. Meanwhile, Tottenham will shift their focus to Sunday’s Premier League match against Liverpool, aiming to carry forward the momentum from their Carabao Cup victory.
The fallout from this dramatic encounter is likely to continue, keeping fans and analysts alike eager for the FA’s verdict.
