Manchester City 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
This could never possibly live up to the stratospheric clash of 60 hours earlier.
But it was no less important for Manchester City in their quest for Premier League glory.
And the defending champions did take care of business in the third and final round of the trilogy against Tottenham in the space of just 11 and a half days.
Highlights of the game
With City needing maximum points in the title race and Spurs really in need of a point to keep them in control of their bid for a top-four spot, it was also clear this would be far from an anti-climax – there was too much on the line for that.
There was also too much quality, with four of the eight players on the shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year award starting at the Etihad Stadium.
The difference in squad depth was clear on the substitutes benches as both managers made changes – Pep Guardiola three and Mauricio Pochettino five –yet the quality of player on the home bench was superior.
Five minutes in, though, and it was one of the young guns who didn’t cost City a penny who made the breakthrough.
Phil Foden, making just his second top-flight start in place of David Silva, had one of his top Premier League 2019 highlights as he headed home from close range to give the hosts a dream start.
Bernardo Silva curled a perfect cross to Sergio Aguero, and the Argentinian cushioned an equally perfect header across goal for the 18-year-old Foden to nod in.
Spurs had moments of their own as Ederson was needed to keep out Christian Eriksen, who may have been held back in the area. Bernardo Silva also had a big penalty shout moments later.
With no VAR, as there was in midweek, it merely added to the debate about video replays.
No video replays were required just before half-time when City suffered a major. Kevin de Bruyne, in imperious form since his recent return, signalled to the bench and had to come off – a possible end to the Belgian midfielder’s stop-start season with what looked like a significant hamstring injury.
Son Heung-Min, one of the heroes in midweek, almost capitalised on City’s misfortune two minutes before the break when he charged through the home defence and left them in his wake only to be denied by Ederson.
The VAR debate reared its head once more just before the hour as Dele Alli drove into the penalty area and the ball appeared to hit the arm of his former team-mate, Kyle Walker.
There certainly seemed to be nerves among the home side, who also lost Aguero a short time later. Guardiola was perhaps taking no chances after the Argentinian talisman seemed to pick up an ankle knock early in the second half.
City, needing one more goal to equal the record of 156 by a top-flight side in a season in all competitions (one they set themselves in 2013-14), had the chance to wrap up victory with 20 minutes remaining.
Aguero’s replacement, Leroy Sane, darted down the left and pulled the ball back to Raheem Sterling, who seemed set to score until Paulo Gazzaniga produced a superb reflex save.
Play went right back to the other end, and this time, it was a combination of Ederson and John Stones which proved crucial.
Sensing some nerves, Pochettino threw on midweek match-winner Fernando Llorente for the final 13 minutes in an attempt to unsettle the home defence.
Nerves and exhaustion were natural bedfellows in the closing stages, but City showed character and credentials to hold on for an important win as the SBOBET Premier League 2019 betting odds twist yet again.
Spurs have other matters to focus on now, but they should be extremely proud of their efforts over the past week and a half.
Key statistics
City have won 25 home games in all competitions this season, the most they’ve ever won in a single campaign and the most by a top-flight club since Man Utd in 2010-11 (26).
Foden is the first player born in the 2000s to score a Premier League goal for City and is their third-youngest scorer in the competition overall (18 years, 327days) after Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge.
City have now equalled their club record of four consecutive top-flight wins against Spurs, who have lost eight of their last 10 visits to the Etihad Stadium in all competitions, conceding 28 goals.
Guardiola’s side have won 25 of their last 27 league and cup matches, including their penalty shootout victory in the League Cup Final.
City have earned an unsurpassed 22 points this season in games against established top-six rivals and have won nine of their past 10 home league matches against the rest of the current top six, including all five this season.
Spurs remain the division’s leading scorers in away matches with 33 goals.
This was Spurs’ first defeat this season without Harry Kane.
What’s next?
Man City travel to neighbours Man Utd in midweek for a crucial Manchester derby. They then travel to Burnley a week from tomorrow (April 28).
Spurs also have a busy week. They entertain Brighton and West Ham in back-to-back home matches in their new stadium in the week ahead.
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