Manchester City were thankful to goalline technology as they secured a vital win at Burnley on Sunday. Sergio Aguero’s 63rd-minute goal was not the first time hi-tech equipment has played a hand in City’s season. Here, Press Association Sport looks at examples of where technology has shaped City’s remarkable campaign. Sergio Aguero v Burnley, Premier League, April 28 29.51mm Fine margins#BURMCI pic.twitter.com/sO5ONrtKcu — Premier League (@premierleague) April 28, 2019 Sunday’s narrow 1-0 victory took City back to the top of the Premier League with just two games remaining. City knew anything less than three points would hand the initiative in the title race back to Liverpool. The win was secured by a tiny margin, with Aguero’s scrambled goal on a tense afternoon at Turf Moor ruled to have crossed the line by a mere 29.51mm. John Stones v Liverpool, Premier League, January 3 “I tried to give it everything to clear it – I’ve heard it’s quite tight!” – John Stones#MCILIV pic.twitter.com/xohzXF5KoT — Premier League (@premierleague) January 3, 2019 The margins were even tighter when City hosted Liverpool in a crunch clash early in the new year. Pep Guardiola’s men prevailed 2-1 in a nervy encounter at the Etihad Stadium but Liverpool could count themselves unlucky after John Stones produced a dramatic goalline clearance to prevent an own goal. The information from the goal decision system showed that the ball had failed to cross the line by just 11.2mm. Raheem Sterling v Tottenham, Champions League, April 17 Raheem Sterling’s dramatic late strike against Spurs was ruled out (Martin Rickett/PA) The use of VAR was instrumental in ending City’s bid for a quadruple. Sterling thought he had settled a compelling quarter-final tie with what would have been his hat-trick goal in the dramatic closing minutes of the second leg at the Etihad Stadium. Yet as City celebrated wildly and Spurs players slumped to the ground, the big screen indicated a review was being carried out. After a delay it was eventually determined Aguero had strayed offside in the build-up. The party was quickly deflated. Fernando Llorente v Tottenham, Champions League, April 17 VAR had a big influence on the quarter-final against Spurs (Mike Egerton/PA) The ruling out of Sterling’s late strike meant that Llorente’s earlier effort, which made the score 4-4 on aggregate and gave Spurs the edge on away goals, proved decisive. This goal also required much review after the ball appeared to brush the Spaniard’s arm before bouncing into the goal off his hip. Although debate continued over whether the VAR reviewed the best angles, Llorente was eventually given the benefit of the doubt and the goal stood. Other incidents: City were grateful for a lack of VAR at Swansea (Nick Potts/PA) There have also been some other incidents which ultimately did not prove pivotal. City were controversially awarded a penalty for handball in the first leg of their Champions League clash with Spurs only for Aguero to miss while Schalke were also given a debatable spot-kick in the first leg of the ultimately one-sided last-16 tie. Meanwhile, the lack of VAR probably helped City in their 3-2 FA Cup quarter-final win at Swansea. There was debate over the penalty which allowed City to equalise and replays showed Aguero was offside before heading the winner. Topics John Stones, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Premier League, Man City Here’s how much Manchester United have paid Alexis Sanchez per start What is at stake in the Football League in the final week? “If it was up to me, he’d be gone” – Former Arsenal striker explains why club need to sell Mesut Ozil Vivianne Miedema targets Champions League glory with Gunners The major talking points ahead of Tottenham’s Champions League tie with Ajax Liverpool in pole position to sign winger ahead of Chelsea Tottenham star could be on his way to Manchester United this summer Paul Pogba has decided where he wants to play his football next season – report 5 things Manchester United must do to move forward as a club Virgil van Dijk exclusive: “I’m not going to lie, I was pretty scared – I could have died”
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