short pants. Boro in the first half.
Victory roar at the final signal.
Once Man City took out the steam ball, Tottenham couldn’t resist.
There was something ironic about the fact that the loudest cheers at Etihad Stadium in the first half came when Jack Grealish slid in and attacked Son Heung-min.
The fact that the South Korean never got out of the starting blocks at the end of the match testifies to a below-par level of his own. It’s not a good sign when left winger Grealish can catch up and make a massive break in front of his feet.
The meeting on this cold Thursday evening was full of anxiety. Antonio Conte believes life is unfair now. Anyway, the fact that he, as head coach, should be responsible for Spurs’ problems. Levi, where are you, asked the Italian, although he did not say so frankly. President Daniel Levy, of course, is under pressure at least, but behind the scenes.
Surprisingly starting eleven
Pep Guardiola had other things to worry about. For example, why did Erling Haaland score fewer goals than at the start of the season. Could it be that simple that opponents discovered that the Norwegian doesn’t play in the same way if players in midfield are wiped out?
Kevin De Bruyne, who should be one of those, surprisingly started off the bench. Instead, Guardiola tried to beat the Tottenham duo of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur, featuring Rodri, Rico Luis, Ilkay Gundogan and Julian Alvarez.
how did it go to the woods.
Haaland conceded two powerful clean sheets and goal droughts. First, with a deep ball prepared by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (once). Then he headed the ball over the bar.
They angrily walked toward the exit
Then Dejan Kulusevski got down to business. During last season’s meeting at Al-Ittihad, the Swede made his debut in the English Premier League, his favorite match of his career according to his own statement.
Now, in the 44th minute, Bentancur received a loose pass from goalkeeper Ederson. A second later, Kulusevski had the ball at his feet and it rolled 1-0 to Spurs. Moments later it was 2-0 as Emerson Royal licked the fans’ wounds with salt.
Many angrily stood up and walked toward the exit. We hope they don’t come home. Something very special was waiting after the break.
Put a higher gear
When Manchester City moves to a higher level, it is important to keep up with the turns. United managed – after so much, so much – to do this past weekend.
Spurs collapsed like a house of cards. At ten minutes it was 2–0 2–2 when Grealish and Haaland took turns standing inside the penalty area.
Conte pounded his arms in grief while Guardiola raised his arms in the air. The instructions given by the City boss in the dressing room quickly slipped away.
It must be said that Tottenham almost regained the lead shortly thereafter. Kulusevski widened down the right wing and behind two great assists, Ivan Perisic came closest to scoring the goal 3-2. But closeness is not enough against Man City.
The game could flow better but…
The decision to return to the old noble principles finally paid off. Riyad Mahrez, never afraid of facing an opponent, unleashed a finish that slipped between Lloris and the right post. The Algerian celebrated by placing his forefinger in front of his mouth. A clear message to those who counted the team in the first half. Or I think Arsenal will win the league title.
Guardiola knows the game can flow better. The fact that they concede more goals is probably due to the fact that matches are not controlled in the same ruthless way nowadays. Competitors are becoming more adept at shutting down central areas.
While the Spaniard tries to find the formula that can maximize Haaland’s qualities – without shaking the philosophy that great ball possession is the most important thing on the football field – it will look a little half-hearted at times.
Manchester City is struggling to bridge the gap to Arsenal. spurs? They are struggling with most things at the moment. Including keeping his coach in a good mood. The risk is high that it won’t last much longer.