Manchester City’s dreams of an unprecedented quadruple came crashing down around them as two controversial VAR decisions left their Champions League campaign in tatters.

In the end, Tottenham went marching on after Raheem Sterling’s stoppage time winner was chalked off by the referee behind the screen.

The manic celebrations quickly turned into eerie despair as the horrible realisation dawned that European glory would once again elude the Sky Blues.

Earlier, Fernando Llorente had scored a goal to put Spurs ahead in the tie that appeared to ricochet into the net via his hand.

Unfortunately, the angles afforded to the on field referee failed to provide conclusive evidence and the goal was allowed to stand.

In the end, it all added up to a painfully forgettable night for City, who will have to wait another long year to have a run at the prize they really want.

It is no secret that Pep Guardiola was brought in by the City big wigs to claim the biggest prize in club football but Wednesday night’s devastating result just goes to show what an almighty task it is, even for one of the richest clubs in the game.

Since Wednesday night’s titanic battle between the two English giants, VAR has unsurprisingly dominated the headlines and conversation.

While it got the Sterling decision spot on, finding Sergio Aguero offside in the build up to the goal, City can rightly feel very hard done by the fact that the Llorente goal was allowed to stand.

Now, ahead of a massive Premier League clash with familiar foes Tottenham, Guardiola has had his fill of talk about the controversial video system.

Speaking in his press conference ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, Guardiola pulled no punches when describing his feeling towards VAR.

“For one inch we are out, for one handball maybe we are out, or maybe not,” quipped Guardiola, obviously referring to the events of midweek.

“Maybe after ten minutes Tottenham attack like an animal and score three goals in five minutes, maybe its happens, maybe not.

“VAR is f**** boring to talk about. Sometimes it helps you, sometimes not.

“I think VAR, UEFA created it, for what? To help the referee’s be more fair in these decisions, do it.

“What can I do? Try and concede less goals at these stages of the season.”

Well then.

Pep will obviously be quietly relieved that VAR will play no part in Saturday’s clash with Spurs.

With Liverpool breathing down their neck and refusing to relent, City simply have to win.

Anything else and their incredible season could well have unravelled in the space of a few days.