Raheem Sterling sets new record as VAR forced Manchester City, Tottenham draw in EPL thriller

On a record-breaking night for Raheem Sterling, there was no victor no vanquished as a late VAR call ensured Man City and Tottenham share the spoils with a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

The home side took the lead through Raheem Sterling in the 20th minute. But their lead lasted only two minutes as Erik Lamela placed a shot from distance past Ederson. City regained their advantage 10 minutes before half time but substitute Lucas Moura dragged Spurs back into the contest with a fine equalizer. The hosts thought a late Gabriel Jesus finish had won it but VAR overruled it.

There were no surprises in the line ups as Pep Guardiola kept faith with Elderson in goal and asked Walker, Otamendi, Laporte and Zinchenko to provide defensive cover for the Portuguese goalkeeper.

New signing Rodrigo was handed his home debut alongside Gundogan and captain De Bruyne in midfield. The trio of Sterling, Bernardo and Aguero that caused all the damage against West Ham last week started again.

Tottenham boss Pocchettino made only one change to the squad that got their opening day win against Aston Villa with Eriksen restored to the starting XI.

Man City had won their last four Premier League games against Tottenham Hotspur but they had never won five consecutive league games against them, with this their 141st meeting. This was a chance to set the records straight.

Seven minute in and City came close when Kyle Walker surged through on the break before cutting back to pick-out Sterling but the in-form forwards sidefooted effort deflected up and out for a corner.

In the early stages, most of the play was taking place in Spurs’ half but the Citizens could not find that killer pass needed to pick the lock.

However, when you’ve got De Bruyne, anything is possible.

The Belgian playmaker delivered the perfect ball for the red-hot Sterling to glance a marvellous back-post header across goal and into the opposite corner.

It was a brilliant finish from a man who is just oozing confidence at the moment.

That fantastic finish ensured Raheem Sterling has scored in four consecutive club appearances in all competitions for the first time in his professional career.

4 – Raheem Sterling has scored in four consecutive club appearances in all competitions for the first time in his professional career, netting seven goals in those four games. Fantastic. pic.twitter.com/7hxYJC7dEU

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 17, 2019

Two minutes later and seemingly out of nothing, the visitors responded through Erik Lamela, the Argentine leveling the scores with a cool finish past Ederson.

203 – There were just 203 seconds between Raheem Sterling's opener for @ManCity and Erik Lamela equalising for @SpursOfficial. Response. #MCITOT pic.twitter.com/sKNvPL5bp8

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 17, 2019

City were stunned but not Sterling. The England international soon had the Spurs defence on toast again as he found space on the left flank and teased a low cross into the middle, forcing Sanchez to send it behind for a corner.

Just past the half hour mark, Aguero gave City the lead again.

Bernardo Silva and De Bruyne opened up Spurs down the right flank. The Belgian then fired a low ball into the middle where Aguero was on ground to clip the ball past Lloris from close range into the left bottom corner.

97 – Sergio Aguero has now scored 97 @premierleague goals at the Etihad Stadium – only Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford (101) and Thierry Henry at Highbury (114) have scored more goals at a single venue in the competition's history. Legends. #MCITOT pic.twitter.com/gOxae8NgIc

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 17, 2019

That goal actually had Kevin De Bruyne written all over it. The City captain produced another brilliant cross to tee up Aguero in the middle to score.

Kevin De Bruyne has provided more assists since the start of the 2016-17 Premier League season than any other player in the division (38).

World-class creating once again. pic.twitter.com/M1uZBKDDyX

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 17, 2019

Manchester City took the 2-1 lead into the break although Pep Guardiola would have felt that his side deserved to be further ahead.

Pep’s men kept knocking on the door in the second half and Spurs needed a fine Lloris save from a Zinchenko 25-yarder to keep the score within reach.

Against the run of play, Spurs notched their second equaliser of the game. Lucas Moura moments after coming on for Harry Winks made an instant impact. With only his first touch, the former PSG man rose above Walker to glance his header from Lamela’s cross over Ederson and into the net.

It was a pinpoint assist from Lamela who put the ball in the perfect place for Lucas to rise and head home.

Chance after chance went begging for City as Guardiola cut the figure of a frustrated man on the sidelines.

One in particular got Pep enraged.

Spurs Number 1 Lloris got himself into trouble from a corner. He came off his line and made an unconvincing punch, leaving himself stranded. De Bruyne curled the ball towards goal, but Walker-Peters was there to head away as far as Laporte. However, the defender could not connect with a clean effort before Lloris latched on the loose ball.

City boss Guardiola first sent in Gabriel Jesus in place of goalscorer Aguero, then later he withdrew Bernardo Silva for Riyad Mahrez.

But it was the former who believed he had won it for City only for VAR to cancel the strike, ensuring the two title challengers picked up their first draw of the new campaign.