It was
a lucky day for us
Manchester
City 2 Spurs 2
Like
the Villa game we started off bad, but unlike the Villa game – where we
improved in the second half – we were outplayed by the City team. Granted we
had spells were we got on top, but overall we were second best to the
Manchester club.
The
day started for me at 10 am (which was when I left home for my 3 ½ hr. drive).
Actually, I was up earlier than that to go to the gym, then home and then I
left.
The
trip was reasonably good, but plenty of road works and I finally got to the
City ground at 2.17 pm.
One
thing I will say about the City ground, it has brilliant car parking.
Accessible to park and only £10. The only other club where that has excellent
car parking – at the moment – is Brighton. The rest is every car for itself. My
only recommendation is to leave early (very early). It is better to twiddle
your thumbs than panic for parking. Even the City ground car park is best to
get there early.
Because
of my leg (arthritis), I have to start using a walking stick. That is why it is
vital to get parking near the stadium. Unfortunately, they don’t regard
arthritis as a unique disability, even though it is, especially to those that
suffer (you don’t get a blue badge for it).
Walking
to the ground is only 10 minutes or so, got my programme (which is now an odd
shape, even though still A4 it opens up sideways, very strange).
Had a
walk around, chatted and then finally went in at 4 pm. Got something to eat and
then to my seat (I was right at the back). Strangely most sat, which is unusual
for away supporters. So I could sit – most of the time – and watch the
football. I also didn’t see anybody from my group, or those I knew. Plenty of
familiar faces though, from by away trips. The trouble with City’s away area is
that it is three tiers they can’t access each other.
After
all the pomp and ceremony it was all guns blaring… actually, it was all guns
blaring for City while we struggled.
Raheem
Sterling scored his fourth goal of the season within 20 minutes, our players
trudged back to the centre circle, looking at each other and wondering how they
were going to stop the relentless onslaught of attack after attack. In the
opening 15 minutes, City had 68.6% of possession and refusing to let us into
the game at all. Suddenly up pops Erik
Lamela equalising against the run of play with his first shot on target, three
minutes after Sterling had scored. He had one chance, and he took it. But it
wasn’t long before they were ahead again (before the break).
Most
of the supporters wondered how we were going to get out of this as City were
playing exceedingly well, but then again they were triple champions. I thought
differently or hoped differently. I expected Pochettino to give his players a
good talking to and come out differently… they sort of half-listened.
Watching
our players perform before kick-off (warming up) and were carrying out shooting
practice, Lamela came out on top with a screamer in the top left corner. But
once the match started for real, we struggled to test Ederson.
Only
two more shots came in the second half from us. One was from Harry Kane from
the halfway line and was well wide, and just one was on target - Lucas Moura's
header just 19 seconds after he replaced Harry Winks. We only managed three
crosses from open play too and didn't win a single corner in the first half.
The
most exciting part for Tottenham Hotspur supporters was Gabriel Jesus’ goal,
then not a goal. VAR stepped up to the mark and pulled us out of the fire (how
many more times will it help us?). This is the second time VAR came to our
rescue and it contributed to us getting to the final of the Champions League.
Will VAR continue to be our friend? We shouldn’t be relying on VAR, we need to
buck our ideas up and get our act together. We are lucky we will only play City
twice in the season (putting cup possibilities to one side), and one of these
games ended up as a draw, the second will be decided in February.
The
goal that was disallowed was because the ball had brushed Aymeric Laporte's arm
in the build-up to the goal. As simple as that.
Can we
challenge for the league? Yes, but we have to play better. Our problem is when
we face the “little club,” that is when we have problems. The likes of Watford,
Bournemouth, Burnley, Southampton, etc., is where we have issues. Master that
and we can seriously challenge for the title, if not win it.
We got
our draw, now we face Newcastle, who haven’t yet won this season. Nevertheless,
that won’t be a pushover.
By
Glenn Renshaw
Comments
Post a Comment