Watch: Fourth official reacts weirdly to Kane’s late Spurs winner at City

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Harry Kane celebrates his late winner against Manchester City, 19 February 2022 Etihad Stadium.

Planet Football
20th February 2022

The fourth official Craig Pawson appeared annoyed after Harry Kane scored a shock late winner for Tottenham Hotspur against Manchester City in the Premier League during Saturday’s evening kick-off.

The game at the Etihad was an absolute thriller, with plenty of action at both ends of the pitch and huge late drama.

Kane, who had put Spurs in the lead for the second time earlier in the game, met a Dejan Kulusevski cross with his head to score Spurs’ third goal and win them the match in the fifth minute of added time.

That came moments after Riyad Mahrez scored from the spot to equalise for City. At that point, with the momentum in the home team’s favour, it looked like they might even go on to snatch all three points and maintain their stranglehold on the Premier League title race.

Yet Kane’s powerful header thwarted City, prompting huge celebrations both in the away end and in the Spurs dugout where Conte jumped up and down and aggressively hugged anyone unfortunate enough to be in his path.

However, the fourth official Craig Pawson almost appeared to be annoyed at the late clincher.

When the goal went in, Pawson turned to look at Pep Guardiola, who was understandably dejected, looking briefly like he was frustrated at the fact that Kane had scored.

The response was quickly picked up on by fans and journalists, who voiced their concerns.

Dominic King, the Northern football correspondent for the Daily Mail tweeted: “Fourth official’s reaction in this little montage is unusual, no?”

Others joined in, pointing out that Pawson has given more penalties to Manchester City – six in total – than any other Premier League side during his time as a referee.

Any theories about him wanting City to win are not backed by any evidence, but that doesn’t stop social media speculation, does it?

More interestingly, Kane’s late goal means that the title race is back on, with Liverpool six points behind City with a game in hand and a game against City at the Etihad coming up.