in the League Cup.
Spurs 2-1 victory over Pep Guardiola’s much changed Manchester City got Spurs through to the quarter finals of the League Cup and kept alive Ange’s boast about winning a trophy in his second year at a club.
I said Werner would get a consolation in the 95th minute and they’d be talking him up, this is his resurgence – much like they did last season once he got his first goal and some real idiots were expecting the floodgates to open – well, I was out by 90 minutes and it being a consolation.
It started with some fannying about at the back, that worked and an excellent back flick from Johnson, on the right, saw Kulusevski away, for once he didn’t dither and didn’t get the ball caught up in his feet, two knocks forward and he swung a cross over to Werner on the left and for once the German didn’t dither and take far too many touches. One touch took banged it into the net. He didn’t have to think to long with a defender bearing down and he’s a lot better when he doesn’t have to think.
Excellent goal, excellent finish but I didn’t expect any floodgates to open and well he was back to being the bog standard Werner not long after with his trademark dribbling back-passes to the keeper.
The good feeling didn’t last long, as yet again Micky van de Ven was having to cover for everyone, making one of his trademark runs and tackles, he was then holding the back of his thigh, he shortly departed in tears.
It was about this time last season it all went wrong with the departure of MvdV with injury and Romero through a red card and suspension. Romero would depart just after 50 minutes, apparently tiredness. But it doesn’t look good.
Though shortly after Micky’s departure it got better for Spurs. A short corner eventually found it’s way to Sarr and he unleashed a curling shot from about 6 yards outside the box, it curled round the massed defenders, initially wide of the post it bent its way inside the post. The keeper though late to see it had absolutely no chance, even if he had a perfect view. Glorious goal from Sarr.
City were dominating and it was no real surprise when they got one back just before the break. It was also no surprise how it came about. A cross from one side is not stopped and it finds an opposition player at the back post all on his lonesome, who scores. Every damn game.
Werner could have sealed it in the second half but he had to think about it. Richarlison could have ended it, but he Werner’d his chance – after coming on for the German, unfortunately it doesn’t sound as if Werner will be out for long. Pep brought on some bigger guns. He didn’t bring on the big gun, even when his “striker” came off. I thought Foden was meant to be the greatest player in the league. Even with City having nearly 70% of the ball he had the fewest touches of any starting City player. When he exited, it came as a bit of a shock, I’d forgotten he was on the pitch. Much like Solanke.
It’s funny, Spurs go all these games with all the possession and come away with nothing, yet play on the break with 30% of the ball and even though they spurn great chances – they did have double the number of shots on target – they’re into the next round. Does help when Pep plays his kids.
Just imagine though if Ange and his coaches worked on some defending. Just imagine Micky wouldn’t have to bust a hamstring every so often and they might cut out that same goal that gets replayed time and time again.