Tottenham handed new red card referee verdict after huge Man City win - 'Clear'

Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford should've been sent-off during Tottenham Hotspur's eye-catching 2-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium, says former Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief Keith Hackett.

Thomas Frank's men travelled to play Pep Guardiola's, after both recorded high-scoring victories on the opening weekend of the new Premier League term. But it was Spurs who kept their 100 per cent record in tact by scoring two goals without reply at the Etihad Stadium.

The first was a swift attacking move completed by a cross from Richarlison - which was tucked home by Brennan Johnson. City goalkeeper Trafford got a touch to the ball, but could not keep the powerful effort out.

READ MORE: Tottenham set for imminent Savinho transfer update after Man City win as £60m decision made

READ MORE: Eberechi Eze baffles Gary Neville after Arsenal transfer announcement - 'Does that say Spurs?'

Spurs then caught City out as they attempted to pass out from their own 18-yard box. Loan signing Joao Palhinha got the definitive touch - and Frank's team were on their way to a win before the half-time whistle had even been blown.

However, former head of the PGMOL, Hackett, believes there was one other key moment in the first half that did not result in the correct outcome. There'd been a 41st-minute Spurs attack - midway between goals from Johnson and Palhinha - that was analysed as it resulted in a stoppage in play.

The ball looped over the top of City's defence into the path of Mohammed Kudus. The Ghanaian brought the ball into touch with his chest and was instantly clattered into by onrushing goalkeeper Trafford outside of the penalty area.

But it was not the contact between the players that was the issue. Trafford's outstretched arm came into contact with the ball, which caused it to ricochet away and quell the danger of the Spurs attack.

"I have to ask, what is VAR doing? This is a clear handball offence outside the penalty area," Hackett said during his review for Football Insider. The former PGMOL chief concluded: "It's a denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity. It's a red card."

The 22-year-old Trafford, who recently re-signed for Guardiola's team for £27m from Burnley, went on to complete the fixture, but it did not end up having a baring on Spurs' positive result.

But the fact that the ball had hit Trafford's arm outside of his box was unanimous, as TNT Sports commentator Ally McCoist commented as he saw the replay: "I don't think there's any doubt that it hits his right arm."