Goal-Line Technology Debate Surfaces Again as Stoke City Fall to Tottenham

Stoke City lost a hard fought match on Saturday at home to Tottenham as yet more controversy surfaces concerning goal-line technology.

Spurs went up in the first half thanks to a bundled goal off the face of Gareth Bale before Ricardo Fuller equalized for Stoke City after showing his well-timed striker’s instinct. Bale again scored, this time brilliantly, as he volleyed an Aaron Lennon cross from what looked like an impossible angle to score what would essentially be the winner for Spurs.

Bale’s goal was good enough to remind me of Zinedine Zidane’s goal in the 2002 Champions League final v Bayer Leverkusen. Although it was from a different angle, Bale was able to catch the chest high ball with his swinging left leg a la Zidane and smash it home into the top corner of the net. It’s already in the hat for goal of the season and was a moment of brilliance from the Welsh winger.

For Stoke City who fought bravely to equalize, Tuncay was a game changer when introduced in the 64th minute. His work rate, inventiveness and skill on the ball nearly saw Stoke grab their second on numerous occasions. He really was everywhere for the Potters and boss Tony Pulis who made a good decision in bringing him on. On one of his chances, Tuncay came close when his header just in front of goal was directed wide of the post and out.

Stoke City and their boisterous home support thought they had equalized when in the 90th minute Matthew Etherington found Danny Collins from a corner. Collins headed towards goal only for Spurs keeper Gomes to punch away. In the ensuing insanity, Jonathan Walters looked to have sent the ball over the line with a diving header towards a falling Peter Crouch who was on the line for Spurs.

After multiple views using slow motion on a DVR, the ball looks to have crossed the line directly into Crouch’s chest only to bounce back out while the ref allowed play to continue. Michael Dawson eventually cleared for Spurs who were then out of danger with three points to take back to London.

Here is yet another glaring example of why FIFA needs to implement goal-line technology into football in some form or another. Stoke City look to be robbed a point while fans, bloggers, players, refs and the suits at FIFA headquarters raise their curious arms in the air, shrug their shoulders and look dumbly at each other wondering when, if ever something will be done about an obvious problem that remains in football.

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