Tottenham's Bentancur reacts furiously after being substituted against Man City
Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur, second left, and =Manchester City's Manuel Akanji challenge for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Credit: AP/Kin Cheung
LONDON — Tottenham player Rodrigo Bentancur reacted furiously after being substituted in the Premier League match against Manchester City on Tuesday.
The midfielder was taken off in the second half with his team losing 1-0 to defending champion City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
He was then caught on camera repeatedly kicking out at his seat in the Spurs dugout, with stud marks from his boots visible, before throwing his drinks bottle to the ground and eventually sitting down. Even then, the frustration on his face was clear.
Bentancur had been replaced by Dejan Kulusevski shortly after Erling Haaland gave City the lead in the 51st minute.
City won the game 2-0, with Haaland also scoring from the penalty spot in stoppage time. The win means the title race is in City's hands ahead of the last round on Sunday.
Arsenal led the standings by one point before kickoff having played a game more. But City's win saw it move to the top of the standings, two points ahead of Arsenal and left Pep Guardiola's team just one victory away from a record fourth-straight English top-flight title.
City hosts West Ham, while Arsenal is at home against Everton.
Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Credit: AP/Kin Cheung