26 January 2025
Tottenham 0 Man City 1
Tottenham welcomed Man City to North London, hoping to cause more anguish for the visitors. Despite their trophy hauls under Pep Guardiola, this has turned into a bit of a bogey ground for his team. Having seen Chelsea leapfrog them into fourth spot with victory, this game became even more important, with nothing but three points being acceptable.
Both sides have had a torrid season in the Premier League, for Man City, the main aim is to ensure they have Champions League football next campaign. Having bombed out of the competition at the play-off stage in the new format rubbed further salt in the wounds. Guardiola has a major rebuilding plan on the horizon, something he has not had to do in his managerial career so far.
Man City were finding it easy to play their passing game against the hosts. It was worked out wide to Doku, who looked to tease the defence with his skill and movement. He found Haaland in the middle, who had the simple task of passing it into the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead. It all looked so simple from Guardiola’s side.
Tottenham’s defending is woeful. As the Belgian winger weighed up his options, the hosts had six men back to deal with the situation, and just Haaland to contend with. The fact that they conceded should be a major concern for Postecoglou. They look like they have just landed on this planet and this was their first attempt at playing football after a one minute ‘how to’ briefing.
The North London outfit have had their fair share of injuries this season but these are professional footballers, what they are being asked to do should not seem so far out of their comfort zone. Even when they have their strongest eleven available, they get opened up easier than a can of tuna. You have to wonder who the defensive coach at Spurs is.
Doku was having a field day out on the left flank. Once again he was causing problems as he played an inch-perfect pass into the middle to pick out an unmarked Savinho. Aside from the defending, what was more baffling was how the Brazilian put his effort over the crossbar. A big let off for Tottenham, one that the visitors could come to regret.
This was not good viewing for the home fans. Doku linked up with Haaland again, setting up an almost carbon copy chance that led to the first goal. This time however, the attempt from the Norwegian was poor and Vicario managed to block. At this point it did not so much seem a case of if Man City scored again but when.
Towards the end of the half, a free-kick was swung into the penalty area for Spurs. Danso got up well and sent a looping header towards goal. It seemed to be just dipping underneath the crossbar, requiring Ederson to make an athletic save to claw it over. It was the first chance the hosts had created as they headed in at the break a goal down but it should have been more.
After the interval, Spurs seemed to have more momentum in their play. Whatever Postecoglou said, or threw at them, seemed to do the trick. Porro put in a low cross behind the defence but Odobert reacted too slowly to the chance as he slid in and sent his effort wide of the target. It could prove to a pivotal moment in the match, had he scored, it would have been game changing.
Johnson started to ask questions of Gvardiol more in the second-half. As he got down the right flank, he played it into the middle looking for Son. The Tottenham skipper got a first-time shot off at goal but Ederson got down well to deny him. The hosts were starting to knock on the door and the atmosphere was building in North London.
Some poor defending from the hosts almost allowed Man City to double their lead. Haaland bundled his way through their defence before calmly slotting past Vicario. However, a VAR review adjudged that the striker had handled the ball in the process and it was ruled out. It was a decision that was very contentious, depending on your allegiance would dictate your views on the ruling.
Spurs had the chance to grab an equaliser deep into added time. As a cross was swung into the box, Son flicked it on to a completely unmarked Sarr in the middle. It was a dreadful effort from the midfielder as he headed well over the crossbar. It left the Tottenham faithful stood with their heads in their hands, wondering how their players were unable to do the most basic tasks.
Man City held on to take all three points and move back to fourth in the Premier League table. Tottenham remain in thirteenth place, with only a point separating them and three sides beneath them. The end of the season cannot come quickly enough for these two teams, although Guardiola’s side still have the chance of securing silverware in the FA Cup.
Questions will continue to be asked whether Ange Postecoglou is the right man for the job in North London. Spurs’ fans need to be careful what they wish for, many big names have tried and failed to succeed in this role over the last decade. At some point, the board need to give a manager time and backing to see if he can get this club to where they feel they should be.
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