Manuel Pellegrini raged at referee Mark Clattenburg after a controversial penalty decision dealt a decisive blow to Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes.
Locked goalless with rivals Spurs, the official pointed to the spot in the 53rd minute when Danny Rose’s cross struck Raheem Sterling on the back and elbow as he turned away.
Harry Kane put the visitors ahead and despite Kelechi Iheanacho’s leveller, Spurs snatched a crucial victory through Christian Eriksen’s 83rd-minute finish and moved back into second place and, ominously, two points behind leaders Leicester.
But Pellegrini, whose side are fourth and six points off top spot, was fuming as he also accused Clattenburg of costing City two goals in their 4-1 defeat at White Hart Lane in September.
“It was a penalty that referee Mark Clattenburg wanted to signal for and he gave the signal. It was absolutely the wrong decision. It hit the back of Raheem Sterling then his elbow. Sterling was not even seeing the ball,” he said.
“It was the same referee in the first game where they were two clear goals in offside and we lost 4-1. For me I don’t think it is a good decision to have the same referee but I don’t want to talk any more about that.”
Pellegrini also approached the fourth official after the game and he added: “Just to congratulate the referee, about the decision. It was a penalty that was decisive for the game.”
Having now lost to Leicester and Spurs in successive home games, Pellegrini said: “We never expected not to win a very important six points but we must continue fighting. We have 36 points more to play for. It is very important to start working again and believe all things can happen.”
With a passionate and polished performance, Spurs certainly believe as boss Mauricio Pochettino said: “It was a big test for us. It is important to start to feel that when you come to a stadium like Manchester City to play against a big team you can win. It is very important for the future.
“It is true that our supporters can dream, this is important.”
