"Choose which punishment for James Trafford: Kickboxing kick or handball offense - Spectators believe he deserves a red card for both"

In the 38th minute of the thrilling Etihad clash between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, a controversial incident involving Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford and Spurs' summer signing Mohammed Kudus has sparked debate among fans and pundits alike.

The incident occurred outside the 18-yard box as Trafford attempted to cut out a pass. Kudus controlled the ball onto his chest before it hit Trafford's right leg, which collided with Kudus' stomach. Replays showed that Trafford's right arm took the ball out of Kudus' path, but the referee, Peter Bankes, and VAR Andy Madley did not deem it necessary to issue a red card.

Fans watching at home were surprised by Trafford's escape from punishment, with one fan on Twitter writing, "REPLAY SHOWS THAT JAMES TRAFFORD CLEARLY REMOVES THE BALL OUTSIDE THE BOX WITH HIS ARM!" Another fan commented, "A horror tackle and a handball outside the box from James Trafford," while another stated, "That should've been a red."

The traveling Spurs fans were furious after seeing Kudus left in a heap following the challenge. Despite the controversy, Brennan Johnson scored the first goal for Spurs, making it 1-0 at the time. In stoppage time, Joao Palhinha scored his first goal for the club, which came about following a hospital pass in the box from Trafford. Spurs went 2-0 up at the final whistle, and Guardiola's troops suffered their first defeat of the season.

The collision has sparked a debate about the use of VAR and the referee's decision-making in high-pressure situations. Some fans have called for a review of the incident, while others have defended the referee's decision not to issue a red card. Regardless of the outcome, the incident has added an extra layer of intrigue to an already exciting match.