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Rodri fumes at referee after Man City throw away 2–0 lead against Spurs
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- Rodri fumes at referee after Man City throw away 2–0 lead against Spurs
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Manchester City looked firmly on course for a crucial three points on Sunday after storming into a 2–0 lead against Tottenham .
That changed dramatically once Spurs found a way back into the contest, shifting the balance of the match.
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Dominic Solanke's first goal proved a significant turning point, sparking a comeback that City struggled to contain.
City were ultimately held to a 2–2 draw , and frustration quickly spilled over, as Rodri openly criticised the referee after a costly VAR decision.
Rodri questions referee decision after controversial Spurs goal
The flashpoint came in the build-up to Solanke's first goal, when the Tottenham forward appeared to kick through the back of Marc Guehi's leg before scoring.
VAR reviewed the incident but decided no foul had been committed, allowing the goal to stand under referee Rob Jones.
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Rodri made little attempt to hide his anger after the final whistle.
"I know we won too much and the people don't want us to win but the referee has to be neutral and for me, honestly, it's not fair," he said.
"It's not fair because we work so hard in these situations and now to make these decisions, we have to move on.
"Of course, you need to come back but at the end, when everything is finished, we are frustrated because the foul is so clear. He kicked the leg, and of course, with the push of the action on the ball, the ball goes in.
"We have to pay attention to these little things, it's going to be difficult for everyone because this league is like this, it's about small details, and everything counts. I think today is a very tough day for us in this sense."
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Solanke later struck again to complete Spurs' comeback, ensuring City left with just a point after appearing in full control earlier in the match.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Man City slip up in title race after Arsenal extend lead
The draw could have lasting consequences in the title race. City's dropped points came just a day after Arsenal delivered a statement result of their own.
Mikel Arteta's side thrashed Leeds 5–0 on Saturday, extending their lead at the top of the table to six points.
That margin now places added pressure on City as the season moves towards its decisive stretch. Given City were two goals up against Spurs, the sense of frustration was clear.
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Instead of keeping pace with Arsenal, they allowed the gap to grow, turning what looked like a routine win into a damaging setback.
Rodri's anger reflected more than disappointment with a refereeing decision. It underlined how fine the margins have become, where a single call can reshape the entire title picture.
