Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was left frustrated after Aymeric Laporte‘s goal was ruled out in their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. French defender Laporte thought he had found the equaliser to Son Heung-min‘s opener, but referee Mike Dean ruled the goal out after a VAR check for handball by Gabriel Jesus in the build-up.
Spurs went on to win the game 2-0 when Giovanni Lo Celso notched his first goal of the season in the second half.
Kevin De Bruyne Annoyed by Manchester City’s Disallowed Goal
‘I Don’t Know the Rules Anymore’
City had fallen behind in the opening minutes when Son continued his excellent scoring form, but they looked to have levelled when Laporte fired an effort past Hugo Lloris.
However, in the build-up, it was spotted that the ball had struck Jesus illegally, and after consulting VAR, Dean ruled the goal out.
Speaking to City’s club website after the game, De Bruyne said: “I don’t know the rules anymore, honestly.
“I thought if it was above the arm (top of sleeve) – it wasn’t handball. Everyone knows it hit him there, but honestly I don’t know the rules.
“But it will be analysed and referees will say it was a good decision.
“I’ve been playing professional football for 12 years and in the first nine years there were no rule changes and now there are lots.”
Kevin De Bruyne Insists City Need to be Sharper
Defeat leaves City tenth in the table with eight games played. They have only lost twice (one less than four of the teams above them in the Premier League) but they have dropped points in three draws as well. That’s the same number they drew in the entirety of last season.
While this campaign is going to be different given the tight schedules and, particularly recently, the international breaks, De Bruyne insists that City need to be sharper at both ends of the pitch if they are to get back up to where they are expected to be in the table.
He said: “We kept to Tottenham to three or four chances – that’s quite good – but if you’re not sharp enough in front of goal, it’s tough.
“It’s been up and down for us with the players coming in and going out.
“It’s hard for players coming back from injury to be sharp straight away.
“We had about seven days of pre-season. I played with national team after one training session.
“I came back Wednesday night from Belgium and couldn’t go to the club because we have to have Covid testing, so I couldn’t do any regeneration.”
City’s next match sees them travel to Olympiakos in the Champions Leauge before they complete the month by hosting Burnley.
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