Toothless Tottenham set to go without a trophy again as Man City march on
Finally, the curse is over. It took 538 minutes and the best part of six games but the all-important goal arrived at long last.
Nathan Ake’s late winner - a messy toe poke from a couple of yards out - was enough to Manchester City into the fifth round and keep the FA Cup holders on course for more glory. It almost defies belief that Pep Guardiola’s great entertainers had taken so long to find the net in Tottenham’s new stadium.
Incredibly, they had not managed a goal and had lost on all five of their previous visits since it opened in 2019 and it looked like they had run out of time again. Try as they might, City just could not find a way though despite creating a glut of chances and Phil Foden enjoying another terrific display.
But make no mistake, City deserved it amid the frustration which saw Guardiola booked towards the end for a sarcastic handclap towards referee Paul Tierney. But actually it will be Ange Postecoglou who will be cursing because the Spurs boss saw his last remaining hope of silverware disappear.
Tottenham have now gone 16 years without a trophy and, despite the progress Postecoglou has made and he will not write off a title miracle, managers are always judged on what they win. Guardiola is a born winner and, having lifted the Treble last term, they are on course for more magic and they will not be wanting any fairytale farewell for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
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Of course it was Kevin de Bruyne’s corner which led to the late goal and his introduction as a late substitute gave them an extra edge. But De Bruyne’s re-emergence will also give them one hell of a lift in the run-in as they chase down the title, Champions League and now the FA Cup.
City were excellent in every department apart from their finishing because they were wasteful while Tottenham will be happy to see James Maddison back as the fit-again midfielder came on as a substitute.
Kevin De Bruyne gave City an extra edge as he came off the bench (GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)But Tottenham lack cutting edge and they really miss skipper Son Heung-Min because he is on Asia Cup duty and without him they look toothless. City were very good from the off and thought they had scored after just five minutes through Oscar Bobb.
Foden’s shot was saved by Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario, Bobb forced the ball over the line and City were celebrating. But, after a very long and painful VAR check, the video replay showed that Bobb’s big toe was offside.
After two Carabao Cup semi finals this week without VAR, it was a shame the FA Cup didn’t not follow suit because the linesman’s flag had gone up in the first place anyway. City were the better team throughout and Tottenham never remotely looked like scoring let alone really creating a clear cut chance.
Tottenham look toothless without captain Son Heung-min (Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images)On came De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku as the clock was ticking down and yet they could not find a way through. Vicario denied Bernardo Silva while De Bruyne slashed wide after a horrible mistake by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
It looked like yet another blank and a replay for City which is the last thing they need in their already crowded fixture list. But then De Bruyne floated over a corner, Dias challenged Vicario and then Ake stabbed home.
It was the much needed breakthrough. Tottenham surrounded the referee and appealed for a foul but the VAR cleared it and the goal stood. The away end celebrated wildly and carried on cheering right until the end when the City players went over to join in.
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