After Manchester City’s horror show of a performance at Goodison Park last weekend, they were in dire need of a positive result at home this week. Considering Tottenham Hotspur’s recent form, this was going to be no easy task for Pep Guardiola’s men. With Aleksandar Kolarov replacing John Stones as centre-back, the hosts started on a positive note, dominating possession and creating chances.
City wasted no time putting Spurs on the back foot but it was slightly odd that the best chances of the first half fell to right-back Pablo Zabaleta and not any number of their prolific attackers. The home fans were finally rewarded with results after the break when their team was gifted with two goals by Hugo Lloris within the space of five minutes through Leroy Sane and Kevin de Bruyne. In the end, victory, however, eluded the Citizens after Spurs drew level through a Dele Alli header and a Son Heung-min strike.
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Tthe modest scoreline, though, belies an intriguing end-to-end game that had up to three penalties denied. Here’s a close look at the five major talking points from the stalemate:
#1 Finding the right formation
Mauricio Pocchetino introduced Kevin Wimmer as part of a back three in the absence of the injured Jan Vertonghen and it didn’t seem like a bad idea considering his successful use of the tactic back when Toby Alderweireld was injured. However, once the Argentine realised City were coming at his men with all guns blazing, he had no option but to change things up on the pitch.
The visitors spent most of the first half chasing shadows as they struggled to make their mark on the game and a change in formation seemed imperative as the Spurs defenders kept getting caught out by the likes of Sane and Sterling. Wimmer and Eric Dier’s early booking in the first half also became a sore point for the manager as he watched his men struggle. Minutes into the half and Pochettino promptly signalled for Dier to move back into midfield as Walker, Wimmer, Alderweireld and Rose moved into a traditional backline.
The Argentine changed it up again as he substituted Wimmer for Son making way for Alli in the middle of the park as Christian Eriksen moved further wide. The side underwent additional changes as Alderweireld was forced to go off to be replaced by Victor Wanyama as centre-back. The changing dynamics in the lineup made it difficult for them to find their rhythm as they struggled against superior opponents.
#2 Lloris does a Bravo
Even though City started strong, they failed to make the most of their opportunities. After the first half had ended goalless, the home side was fortunate to get the lead through a massive Hugo Lloris blunder. The French goalkeeper is one of the best custodians in the league and the mistake was uncharacteristic as he failed to clear the ball away leaving it for Leroy Sane who promptly scored.
Many many have tuned into the game in the hope of witnessing yet another 'Claudio Bravo Premier League Classic' but it was Lloris who was putting on the real show as he failed to deal with yet another ball just five minutes later. As the keeper scrambled to get a hold of the ball, it bounced away falling into the path of Kevin de Bruyne who gave City the two-goal lead.
Even though Bravo conceded as many goals, it will be the Frenchman who will be scrutinised for his lapse in judgement. After all, he has kept nine clean sheets this season one of which includes a 2-0 victory over City at White Hart Lane.
#3 ‘You will deny me thrice’
Raheem Sterling’s controversial move to Manchester City and his tendency for simulation makes him pretty unpopular in the Premier League circle but you can’t help but feel for the guy after his performance against Spurs. In addition to a lot of positive play from the Englishman, he was denied three potential penalties by Andre Marriner. While the first was a pretty flimsy claim, the other two were far stronger cases for a spot kick.
The importance of the denial is compounded by the fact that each came before a Spurs goal. The second was a result of a challenge on Sterling by Rose who clearly went across the winger making contact before getting the ball. Many might argue it was a tough call and Marriner should be given the benefit of the doubt but that's not how City will see it.
The third penalty appeal was definitely legitimate and the referee will surely regret that decision once looks back on it. People seated in the farthest corners of the Etihad saw Walker’s push on Sterling who could only aim a weak flick towards goal after lurching forward.
#4 The scoring substitute
Harry Kane was a spectator for much of the match as the English forward failed to influence the game and remained isolated for large parts of the first half. As a way of drawing him into the game, Pochettino introduced Son into the mix after the break. The Korean international’s involvement gave Spurs a stronger foothold before the substitute himself equalised.
His goal came at the back of Kyle Walker’s push on Sterling as Christian Eriksen passed the ball to Kane who flicked it towards Son with a lovely bit of footwork. The winger finished with a wonderful strike that left little for the keeper to do. City's shoddy defensive work was on display yet again as Son scored. Not a single defender was anywhere near any of the players involved in the goal. The Spurs attackers were free to pick their pass and place their shot as they remained unchallenged from the opposition.
#5 Cursed City
No one can deny Manchester City’s superiority against Spurs as they ran riot against their opponents and probably deserved all three points at the end of full time but they appeared inexplicably cursed. As they failed to make the most of one opportunity after another, a shroud descended on the hosts as they were unlucky to have at least one penalty denied.
Solid performances from De Bruyne, Sterling and Sane after the debacle at Merseyside deserved to be rewarded but they were held back at every stage. Even Lloris’s mistakes weren’t enough to hand them the win. Their cursed luck is perhaps best exemplified by the introduction of their new signing Gabriel Jesus in the second half – the Brazilian striker acquired for £27 million just a few days back.
The 19-year-old had a whirlwind start to the game after coming on to a resounding reception from the home fans. Almost making an assist with his very first touch after there was no one to meet his pass, the Brazilian scored soon after and went wild celebrating only to be confronted by the linesman’s offside signal.
He hid his face in embarrassment as did many of the City players in the knowledge that they failed to hold on to a two-goal lead. Both sides will also feel the sting of regret as they potentially allowed Chelsea to extend their lead by eight points.
