Tottenham vs Ajax: How Spurs could have won European Cup in 1962 if VAR had been in existence

Tottenham vs Ajax: How Spurs could have won European Cup in 1962 if VAR had been in existence
In their thrilling Champions League quarter-final win against Manchester City, Tottenham were hugely thankful for VAR.First Fernando Llorente’s crucial third goal, which turned out to be the one to send Spurs through, was allowed to stand after referee Cuneyt Cakir checked footage and ruled the striker had not handled the ball prior to it going in.4

City thought they’d won but VAR intervened

Then in injury time City thought they scored the goal they needed to progress to the last four when Raheem Sterling struck from close range.However, replays showed Sergio Aguero was marginally offside and the goal was chalked off. meaning Tottenham were through to their first European Cup semi-final in 57 years.But had video assistant referees existed in 1962 Spurs might have been the first English side to win the prestigious competition.Legendary Tottenham manager Bill Nicholson was convinced officials got it wrong in their semi-final first leg at Benfica where the prolific Eusebio was the star. We had two goals disallowed,” he wrote in his autobiography. “The first when Jimmy Greaves beat a full-back and put the ball into the net only to be given offside and the second when Greaves pulled the ball back for Bobby Smith to score.Greaves was certain that he was ahead of Smith when he passed, which meant that it was impossible for him to be offside.4

Spurs captain Danny Blanchflower shaking hands with Benfica captain Jose Aguas before the second leg of the European Cup semi final at White Hart

Spurs fell behind on the night after only five minutes through teenage winger Antonio Simoes.A moment later, the 500 travelling Spurs fans thought Greaves had equalised.Jose Augusto fired Benfica 2-0 up on 19 minutes.4

Nicholson won the League and FA Cup in 1962 and, despite missing out on the European Cup, still saw Spurs become the first British side to win a European trophy when they won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963

Danny Blanchflower helped reduce the deficit when Smith thumped in his cross in the second half, but Augustos 64th-minute header gave Benfica a 3-1 lead.Spurs thought they had reduced the arrears in the dying moments but, despite two Benfica defenders on the GOAL LINE, Smith was ruled offside.To make matters worse, Greaves had another goal disallowed for offside in the second leg in front of 60,000 fans at White Hart Lane.The linesman struggled to keep up with the speed of the striker and was well behind the play with his flag raised.VAR, though, would have shown Greaves was well onside.4

Tottenham’s current side face Ajax over two legs for a place in the Champions League final

The ref seemed willing to accept that Greaves had scored a good goal, but the linesman raised his flag, Nicholson wrote.Greaves thought as much, too. I thought it was a good one. I ran between two Benfica players before shooting.This is twice I have been done in the European Cup.Tottenham eventually won 2-1 in the second leg, falling just short of reaching the final. Benfica, who had beaten Barcelona in the 1961 final, retained the trophy by beating Real Madrid 5-3.Nicholson added: I believe that, but for some marginal refereeing decisions that went against us, we would have qualified to play Real in the final and would have gone on to win.

---

Marko Arnautovic has been left out of West Ham's squad to face Bournemouth on Saturday. talkSPORT understands the striker, who wants to seal a lucrative move to China, will not be part of the Irons squad which travels to the south coast this weekend.
Marko Arnautovic too gutted to play against Bournemouth as

---

Arsenal transfer news: Barcelona ace Denis Suarez reveals what went wrong under Unai Emery DENIS SUAREZ has revealed why his loan spell at Arsenal under Unai Emery failed.

---

35' Goal! Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Arsenal 1. Jürgen Locadia (Brighton and Hove Albion) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal following a fast break. 45'+2' Martín Montoya (Brighton and Hove Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 45'+3' First Half ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Arsenal 1.

---

Stephen Kenny will replace the newly-appointed Mick McCarthy as Republic of Ireland manager after the Euro 2020 finals. It was announced that McCarthy would take over the helm after Martin O'Neill
Stephen Kenny to succeed Mick McCarthy as Republic of Ireland

---

Riyad Mahrez determined to establish himself with champions Manchester City The Algeria international started only 14 Premier League matches for City this season following his club-record switch
Mahrez determined to establish himself with champions
sportsloveme.com/soccer/mahrez-determined-to-establish-himself-with-champions-manchester-city/
Riyad Mahrez is determined to establish himself as a regular starter for Manchester City. And Mahrez responded to his surprise selection with the vital third goal, skilfully leaving Lewis Dunk on his backside before lashing the ball into the top corner.
Riyad Mahrez determined to establish himself with champions

---

West Ham fans 'not happy' with Marko Arnautovic, says Hammers

---

Brentford winger Said Benrahma has set the two London giants Arsenal and Chelsea on a collision part as both teams have indicated interest in securing his signature in the coming summer window. Said Benraham added more intensity to the competition between the two clubs for his signature and his value by bagging his first hat […]
Brentford star Said Benrahma has big ambitions for the future

---

The Playmaker award is handed to the player with the most assists throughout the Premier League season. It was introduced last year with Kevin De Bruyne , the Manchester City midfielder, the inaugural winner with 16 assists as Pep Guardiola's side romped to the title.
Premier League Playmaker award: 2018/19 winner and most

---

Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson fails in his bid to force independent review of Championship clubs' finances by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 25 Apr Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson has been thwarted in his bid to force an independent review of Championship clubs' finances.
Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson to step up dispute with

---

Liverpool vs Chelsea: How Jose Mourinho TAUNTED Steven Gerrard over title race slip JOSE MOURINHO taunted former Liverpool player Steven Gerrard for costing the Reds the league, resurfaced video
Steven Gerrard trolled by Chelsea ahead of Liverpool showdown

---

Hurry up, Harry The striker has been sidelined with injury, but could be in contention to play against Burnley Harry Kane was spotted on the Tottenham training pitch - a picture that will surely put a smile on Tottenham fan's faces.
Harry Kane injury update: Tottenham striker insists he is

---

Women's World Cup odds, predictions 2019: Betting lines, expert picks for England vs. Argentina The Soccerbot just locked in picks for Friday's Women's World Cup match between England and Argentina.
Women's World Cup 2019: Predicted Scotland team to face

---

Jose Mourinho claims he risked being dismissed at Manchester United if he mishandled Paul Pogba. In a subtle swipe at a player he labelled 'His Excellency', the 56-year-old suggested he would have been 'sent on vacation' by Old Trafford chiefs had he come down hard on the France midfielder.

---

Maurizio Sarri is odds-on to be the next Premier League manager to leave his job following Chelsea's latest defeat which saw their top four hopes suffer a setback. The Blues were beaten 2-0 by
Premier League Sack Race - Who's next for the chop? - readpl.com

---

Alan Brazil has been found in breach of Ofcom 's broadcasting code, after he claimed on-air that Glasgow 's rat infestation was caused by Asian immigrants.The controversial radio presenter drew a complaint from a listener after he blamed Glasgow 's problem on the food storage practices of Asian people who had moved to t
Alan Brazil - News, views, gossip, pictures, video - Mirror

---