It was a night to remember in the Champions League as Tottenham Hotspur knocked out one of the biggest contenders of the trophy this season in the form of Manchester City on away goals to advance to the semifinal of the tournament. The game had everything, from end to end action to disallowed goals. It was a treat to watch for any football fan as seven goals were scored altogether in the contest.
Manchester City looked to dominate the proceedings from the word go and took the lead early in the match through Raheem Sterling’s brilliant strike. However, it was Aymeric Laporte who was at fault as the defender gave away the ball twice in the opening 10 minutes as Son Heung-Min found the back of the net with absolute precision to get his side in the lead. It was then the turn of Bernardo Silva to score as his deflected effort went into the net off Danny Rose’s outstretched leg as City went back to level terms. Sterling again scored in the 21st minute as the balance looked to be swinging in City’s favour.
The Citizens went out all guns blazing in the second half, and Sergio Aguero scored the goal that seemed to have sealed the match for the Citizens. However, Fernando Llorente’s goal (via his wrist) saw the north London club take the overall lead in the game.
More late drama was awaiting us as Sterling’s strike found the back of the net in the dying moments of the match to keep City’s dreams of winning the coveted quadruple alive. However, after VAR referral, it was decided that Sergio Aguero, who laid off the assist for Sterling, was in an offside position. That was the end of the Champions League dream for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City once again.
Here is how the Manchester City players were rated from their defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.
Ederson: 6.5
Was unlucky to concede the first goal as it went in off his foot. Could do nothing to stop the next two goals. Made some fabulous saves to deny Son his well-deserved hat-trick.
Kyle Walker: 7
Went into the danger area several times with the ball. His backtracking was spot on as well against his former employers.
Aymeric Laporte: 4
Absolutely clueless defending in the opening quarter of the match to give away the ball twice that helped Son to score a brace. Shows why he is still not picked in France’s national squad.
Vincent Kompany: 7
Tried his best to keep City’s goal safe. A real captain’s performance from the veteran ace.
Benjamin Mendy: 6
Took the onus of getting the ball up the pitch with his bursting runs. Forgot to get back to defend on most occasions. Needs to show maturity in his decision making.
Ilkay Gundogan: 6
Did well to win the ball in the battle of midfield in the second half after having an unimpressive first one. Still has a long way to go to replace Fernandinho completely.
David Silva: 6.5
Picked his spot perfectly with his passes and darting runs. Looked a little fatigued in the second half though.
Kevin De Bruyne: 8
Was the pick of the midfielders on show. His runs, his shots and his accuracy in passes were too good to be contained by the Spurs defenders. Dished out two brilliant balls to set up the goals for Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero. Showed his class yet again at the biggest stage.
Bernardo Silva: 7
Notched up a crucial goal to get his side back in the match. Played some neat passes but Vertonghen was equal to them.
Raheem Sterling: 9
Continued his immaculate run this season and the precision with which he scored the goals can only be compared with that of the great Lionel Messi. Should have been the match-winner for his side but Aguero’s faulty positioning marred his hat-trick as well. Will surely be gutted to see his side crash out of the tournament after coming so close to winning it.
Sergio Aguero: 7
One of the players to be last seen with the “cursed” singer Drake! Jokes apart, he tried his level best to get his side over the line against Spurs and joined the goal fest with the fourth one for his team. Also provided one assist for Silva’s goal. However, he was to be blamed for his faulty positioning in case of the match-winning goal by Sterling as the goal was disallowed after VAR referral.
Substitutes
Fernandinho: 6
Did well in his short spell on the pitch.
Leroy Sane: 4.5
Unimpactful substitution to say the least.
