The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosted it’s first ever UEFA Champions League game, and it ended in a victory for the home side. Heung Min Son scored the only goal of the encounter in the 78th-minute after displaying some quick foot-work and thinking.
The game started on a high-note with each side putting in energetic displays to brush aside the opponent. Tottenham pressed high up the pitch at the start of the encounter and put the Manchester City side under immense pressure. Raheem Sterling ended up winning a penalty for his team in the 12th minute when Danny Rose committed hand-ball inside the box. The decision was made with the assistance of the VAR system.
Unfortunately for Pep Guardiola & Co, Sergio Aguero stepped up to take the spot-kick and hit it straight at Hugo Lloris. A goal so early on in the tie could have changed the game entirely. Instead, the two sides headed into the half-time break level pegged.
The second half was decisive, and given that this was a quarter-final tie, a sense of importance and urgency could be felt. Manchester City had utterly dominated the second half until the point Son Heung-Min scored. The Manchester City defence had a momentary lapse in concentration, and the South Korean striker made the most of it.
Here’s how Manchester City fared in their quarter-final first leg tie against Spurs.
Ederson Moraes – 6/10
Had a solid evening until he let in the goal from Son. The Brazilian keeper could have done better with his reflexes on that occasion there.
Kyle Walker – 7/10
The ex-Spurs man seemed a shade or two off colour in the evening. But his runs down the flank was threatening on a couple of occasions.
Nicolas Otamendi – 7/10
A good strong performance from the Argentine defender who seemed to be in control of things at almost all times.
Aymeric Laporte – 7/10
The ex-Athletic Bilbao seemed determined to keep the Spurs attack at bay. Even picked-up a yellow card for his efforts.
Fabian Delph – 6/10
Showed poor decision making for Tottenham’s first goal. He should have stuck to his man instead of putting in a half-hearted challenge. Even got into an argument with Spurs manager, Pochettino over a tackle on Harry Kane.
Fernandinho – 7/10
The defensive midfielder seemed to be in control of things almost throughout the game along with his partner, Ilkay Gundogan.
Ilkay Gundogan – 7/10
Gundogan put in a wholehearted performance for this high profile fixture. The ex-Dortmund man seemed to grow frustrated towards the end of the game.
Riyad Mahrez – 7/10
The midfielder had a decent evening. Showed plenty of neat footwork on the ball alongside the runs he makes into the attacking half.
David Silva – 7/10
David Silva had an average evening, probably could have done better with his passes in the final third. The Spaniard will have to pull up his socks if Manchester City wants to make any progress in this two-legged tie.
Raheem Sterling – 7/10
An extremely spirited performance from the English International. Was a constant threat to the Tottenham defence and even won a penalty for his side early in the first half.
Sergio Aguero – 5/10
Sub-standard performance from Aguero who failed to put away a 12th-minute penalty with a tame effort on goal.
Substitutes
Gabriel Jesus – 7/10
Came on to replace Kun Aguero with about a quarter of the game left and failed to have a meaningful impact post coming on.
Kevin de Bryune – 6/10
Not much impact post coming on.
Leroy Sane – 6/10
Not much impact post coming on.
