Tottenham Hotspur defeated nine-man Liverpool with an own goal deep into stoppage time in an entertaining and disputed Premier League match.
The Reds were jeopardized by two controversial red cards, the first given to Curtis Jones after only 26 minutes for a foul on Yves Bissouma after a VAR intervention, before half-time substitute Diogo Jota followed him down the tunnel with more than 20 minutes remaining after picking up a quickfire double booking.
In a game in which the Reds plainly felt betrayed, an opening goal by Luis Diaz was called out by another contentious VAR decision, as referees suddenly deemed the Colombian offside without showing the typical offside line visuals.
After superb work from summer addition James Maddison, captain Son Heung-min put Spurs ahead from Richarlison’s pass nine minutes before halftime.
although the visitors equalized in first-half stoppage time when Cody Gakpo scored on the turn from Virgil van Dijk’s headed down, although the Netherlands forward was injured in the process and did not return for the second half.
Spurs, naturally, had the better chances in the second half, and Liverpool goalie Alisson kept the Reds in the game with brilliant saves from Maddison and Son, and it appeared like their tenacious defense would earn them a battling draw until the dying seconds of drama.
Matip could only turn Pedro Porro’s cross high past the helpless Alisson as Spurs staged one final attack, inflicting Liverpool’s first defeat of the season and maintaining manager Ange Postecoglou’s unblemished Premier League record.