Tottenham fans celebrate defeat to Man City, Ederson and Bentancur fume at being subbed, and Stefan Ortega stops Heung-min Son.
Fair to say Tuesday night’s Premier League meeting had everyone talking on social media, with Man City going two points clear of Spurs rivals Arsenal.
Man City went ahead of 51 minutes, Kevin de Bruyne got the ball from Bernardo Silva, was onside, and slid a delightful low cross, then tapped in from close range by Erling Haaland.
Spurs fans taunted rivals Arsenal, who saw their title chances slip away, with: “Are You Watching Arsenal?”
An attacking change from Tottenham with Dejan Kulusevski coming on for Rodrigo Bentancur, who had been on a booking and was in danger of seeing red, but Bentancur was reeling. He booted the substitute seat three times and then threw a water bottle to the ground.
After a few minutes of play, Man City then made a change in goal with Stefan Ortega replacing Ederson, who isn’t risked further after that earlier bang to the head.
Ederson, just like Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur, raged at being replaced, kicking a water container and agued with Pep Guardiola.
Tottenham fans doing the Poznan at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium after going 1-0 down. 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/YZIEDeASVE
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) May 14, 2024
A distraught Ederson’s reaction to being substituted following a painful collision. pic.twitter.com/3YQ0hiNEkY
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 14, 2024
Bentancur was not happy 😳 pic.twitter.com/OUNFE7Km1H
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 14, 2024
Son Heung-min, with the red half of north London backing him to score willing him on, went through on goal, but Ortega stuck a foot out and kept the chance out.
Pep Guardiola heared the worst dropped himself to the ground, stunned at Tottenham somehow not equalising. Pep was seen after the game patting Son on the back.
On 90 minutes, Pedro Porro caught Jeremy Doku with a chance for Erling Haaland to wrap it up. No mistake from the spot, 2-0 and it means Man City will go into the final day of the season in pole position and two points clear at the top.
Player ratings (per Sky Sports)
Tottenham: Vicario (7), Porro (5), Romero (6), Dragusin (7), Van de Ven (6), Hojbjerg (5), Bentancur (5), Sarr (6), Maddison (7), Johnson (7), Son (6).
Subs: Kulusevski (7), Lo Celso (6), Skipp (6), Moore (n/a).
Man City: Ederson (7), Walker (7), Akanji (7), Dias (7), Gvardiol (7), Rodri (7), Kovacic (7), De Bruyne (8), Silva (7), Foden (7), Haaland (8).
Subs: Ortega (8), Doku (7), Alvarez (6).
Player of the match: Erling Haaland
Stefan Ortega Moreno. Phenomenal. pic.twitter.com/0QOPtAsRR7
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 14, 2024
아저씨 손흥민 왤케 좋아해요 pic.twitter.com/ayEUdBKVCG
— 올립☘️ (@sonny__hm7) May 14, 2024
Manchester City midfielder Rodri talking to Sky Sports: “Today was incredible, the character. We know it wasn’t the best game but we must talk about the substitutions. Stefan Ortega was simply incredible and we have the best goalkeeper in the world.
“We know it’s not done yet. We need the people behind us.”
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou speaking to Sky Sports: “It was a tight game and in the big moments we weren’t able to capitalise and they were.
“I thought we were in the game the whole time, even at 1-0 we had a great chance to go level. In the second half we were chasing the game so they got a little more space but I thought we were well in it up until that point [the second goal].”
Is tonight a missed opportunity?: “Yes of course. We lost the game so it was a missed chance for three points. We had the opportunities and we had to punish them.”
On how Tottenham measure up against City: “Nothing earth shattering that I didn’t know before the game. We still have some work to do. We need to do some work to catch up.”
On missing Champions League: “We lost the game so I am disappointed. [Any pride to take?] Not right now because we have lost. We will assess the season, still one more game to go, one more game against Sheffield United and we need to make sure we win.
“I think wherever you finish is a fair reflection of where you are at.”
Ange Postecoglou confronts Tottenham fan, then gives incredibly frosty press conference
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou to BBC Match of the Day: “Yeah disappointment I guess, we lost. It was a tight game with big moments, they took them and we didn’t.
“That was the summary of the game. Unless somebody saw it differently, that’s how I saw it, yeah.
“[We could have] taken the big moments. That’s pretty much it.”
On the atmosphere inside the ground: “It was a game of football.”
Manchester City defender Kyle Walker talking to Sky Sports: “It was very difficult with the emotions riding on it but the lads did the job they needed to do. It is one step closer. You have to take every game as it comes. We had a job to do tonight but we know how things can swing.
“We prepare, we recover and West Ham is another final and hopefully we can go and make history for this great club. It is not job done by a million miles. Hopefully we can get the win. If I didn’t enjoy the pressure, I would be in the wrong job and the wrong team.
“Last night, I couldn’t sleep. They tried to set fireworks off but we weren’t there, they missed us. I can’t describe the feeling when we went 2-0 up.
“It was an unusual game but we are competitors. Spurs could have gone and got the Champions League. You could see they were putting everything on the line to win the game.”
Tottenham midfielder James Maddison speaking to Sky Sports: “Any result at home where you don’t win is disappointing. I am not naive enough to think we were not playing one of the best teams in the world because we were. Always disappointing to lose at home in front of our own fans.
“We were in the game for large parts, took the game to City and played some really good football but ultimately it results in zero points.”
On half-time thoughts: “You know City are always going to probe and have moments, it is just whether you can stay strong and see those moments out. They have such quality though. We had big moments ourselves, in the first half we were really in the game. We gave them problems in the set up and felt like we had an extra man in midfield.
“They took their chances in their moments and we didn’t, and we did have some. Fine margins at the top level.”
On bridging the gap to City: “We are at the start of our journey with the gaffer. It is hard to talk directly after losing but in the summer reflecting after all is said and done, we will be a better, stronger outfit for what we have been through this year. The high of starting so well, then the dip and then up and down. I am sure we will be better for it next season.
“One game left and we will give it our all and see where that leaves us.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to BBC Match of the Day: “It was so difficult a game. We knew it. They play with a lot of pride and intensity and it’s so difficult to play against them.
“Spurs will in the future be unbelievable if they stick with the manager. We gave the chance in our hands for the last game. The tennis players say ‘the serve to win Wimbledon’, the last game, is the most difficult one.
“It happened in our period against Aston Villa. And many many years ago it happened with Sergio Aguero [scoring] in 93 minutes 20 seconds against QPR. So there will be the typical game.
“Now calm, thinking [about Michail] Antonio, [Jarrod] Bowen, [James] Ward-Prowse.
“Kevin [De Bruyne] had a kick to the ankle and couldn’t run properly. Ederson did not have concussion, he had a problem with his eye. He could not see properly so the doctor said I should change. He [Stefan Ortega] is a world-class keeper. He’s an exceptional, exceptional keeper.
“We know what we’re playing for. The tension is there, the rival is so good. It’s why it is difficult, we know that. Everyone come to the stadium and make noise. These games are more difficult but you have to do it. We’ll have one day off, two days to prepare, and then we will do our best.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola speaking to Sky Sports:
On half time instructions: “They were playing for the consequences of the result [in the first half]. When you do that you are going to lose the Premier League. You cannot perform to your level. They are human beings, I understand the pressure. Not even Arsenal played well against Manchester United, they knew if they did not win there they would not win the Premier League.
“It will be the same on Sunday for us against West Ham. We will feel the pressure. Look at Aston Villa a few seasons ago, 2-0 down 15 minutes to go, Sergio Aguero against QPR, went to 93 minutes. It is normal. That is why we talk and say everyone has to relax themself and do what they have to do, that is all.”
Guardiola speaking to Sky Sports: “It was good. These types of games emotions are there and you cannot always perform your best. It depends on the intensity and quality the opponent brings to the game, they were playing to qualify for the Champions League.
“They are an exceptional team, physical, intense, well managed, good with and without the ball. We knew it was going to be difficult but in the bad moments we were there and our keepers do the job. At the end in the right moment we punish them.”
On the Ortega save from Son: “He has done this since he arrived. We saw the level of keeper he is. He makes incredible saves and does it so many times. Spurs are so fast with Kulusevski, Maddison, Son, Johnson, and the runs of Porro and Sarr, they have a lot of weapons. We knew we had to suffer but it gives us a life to go again one more game at home on Sunday.
On the players being aware of the stakes: “Yes, they are not celebrating anything. Happy of course, relieved because we wanted to arrive to the last game. We know we have a job to do and the fans will support us of course. Now it is Kudus, Antonio, Bowen, Ward-Prowse and Soucek with the set pieces. Anything can happen. Like I said before, to win Wimbledon, tennis players say the serve to win is the most difficult. We need to prepare well, focus and try again.”
Manchester City forward Erling Haaland speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “It was a bit horrible. A lot of emotions, we were nervous, which is normal for these types of games, but we won. That was the goal, I don’t care how we won. We won. Now on to the next one.”
On worrying about the first goal being offside: “Yeah a little bit. I saw Kev was on the line and was a bit scared it was offside. You never know. But that is why we have VAR, they checked it and it was a goal so it was fantastic.”
On the pressure penalty at the end: “I was really nervous, scared of course, but also a bit excited. It was all about getting the ball into the back of the net. That’s what I did, so happy, relaxed, focus on the next one.”
On the routine ahead of Sunday: “Relax. Don’t think too much. Relax with our families and train together. Keep on doing what we have been doing now for 37 games straight, try not to think too much, focus and have fun.”
Is this year’s title race more exciting?: “I don’t think about this. I don’t think about last season now. Relax, don’t think and just focus on the next game.”
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