The Argentine have scored 10 goals in 8 appearances against
Spurs. The last 9 PL games between these 2 sides have seen 41 goals scored. Man
City have won 8 and lost 2 of the last 10 PL meetings with Spurs, including
victories in the last 5 in a row at the Etihad Stadium.
But Spurs
records prior to this meeting could not be overlooked as the confidence
instilled on them by Mauricio Pochettino have made them play attractive
football and many including football fans like me tip them for this seasons EPL
title. Spurs have conceded a league-low one goal from outside the box in the PL
in 2015-16. Dele Alli has had a hand in 11 goals in his last 14 PL games for
Spurs (6 goals, 5 assists).
Man City
have not beaten any side currently in the top 6 of the PL table this season (W0
D3 L4) which put the odds in Spurs favour while Mauricio Pochettino has
defeated a Manuel Pellegrini side just once in 12 meetings between the two in
the PL or La Liga (W1 D2 L9) which made the noisy neighbours favourite on the
other hand.
Spurs title
hope was given a massive boost after Matt Clattenburg awarded them penalty when
it was evident the ball had hit Raheem Sterling on the hip before touching his
elbow. The result was a 53rd minute spot kick converted by Harry
Kane to hand him his 16th EPL goal of the season out of which 5 came
from a spot kick. The game was heading for Spurs win until super sub Nigerian
Kelechi Iheanacho converted a goal on the 74th minute to hand the
noisy neighbours a life line.
Celebrating his birthday on the same day,
24-year-old Eriksen scored what proved to be the winner after he converted Erik
Lamela’s superb thorough ball to hand Pochettino’s men rare win at Etihad. But
how did it go wrong for Pellegrini’s men?
Mark Clattenburg who currently is being adjudged as the world best
referee had a nightmare game at Etihad on Sunday. For him to award a penalty,
he must have been sure the suspect committed the foul but lo and behold, he
thought the ball had hit Sterling on the hand when he had no clear vision of
where the ball hit the player. Even if the ball had hit Sterling's arm, it
shouldn't have been a penalty because he had turned his head and wasn't looking
at the ball, therefore it could not have been deliberate.
Pellegrini must be suffering serious injustice about the way the club
handled his job. It is very unfair for a manager to have his job being talk
about by another manager when he is fully employed by another club.
Pellegrini’s men are currently in League cup finals, still in UEFA Champions
League and also in FA Cup.
The team was well on course for the title as the
favourite too. But the announcement of Pep Guardiola as the new incoming
manager of Manchester City must have had a terrible consequence on the manager
as well as the players. Right after the announcement, Leicester City beat the
citizen 3-1 and now they have lost to Spurs 1-2 at home leaving them 6 points
behind the table toppers Leicester City. Pellegrini on his own part might be
feeling, win or lose am off at the end of the season anyway. I feel his
commitment to the team must have weaned a bit.
But wait, can one tell me why Manchester City players refused to
celebrate with Nigerian wonder kid, super sub Kelechi Iheanacho who scored his
9th goal the season in all competitions? Many have accused the Man
City players of racism. That was very wrong in all aspect. Even Arsenal Legend,
Thierry Henry condemned Man City players’ reactions.
"I know you have to go and get the ball back [to ensure a quick restart with the score level at 1-1 at the time] but no one went to celebrate with Iheanacho," Henry told Sky Sports. "That's something that, I don't know… you scored a goal, go and celebrate with the guy. 'Let's go, get the ball back.' No one went to celebrate with him. He was in the corner there.
"I think [Vincent] Kompany went with him and someone else but that's it. Maybe I'm reading too much between the lines about that Man City team but no one went to celebrate with him, that's a bit weird."Could it be there is a division in the team between senior players and junior players? No togetherness? This brings into question Pellegrini’s commitment to his players. A bit wired not to celebrate with the goal scorer though.
It is worthy to note that Man City’s defence was in shambles yesterday.
Otamendi who was a high profile signing have not lived up to expectation.
Kompany in the defence yesterday was good but pairing with Otamendi is yet to
yield the expected result. With the likes of Clichy, Demichellis, Zabaletta,
Kolarov and Sagna still in the team, many will already be questioning if any of
these guys will still have future with the team if Pep comes in 2016/2017. Time
shall tell!
Furthermore, the fitness of Yaya Toure who is one of the constant performers
in the team is also of major concern. Could it be that the morale is low based
on Pep imminent arrival? Yaya Toure is yet to score in 7 premier league outings
correct me if I am wrong.
It could be recalled that his agent had already said
Yaya Toure will be finding another club next season because of Pep’s arrival.
Remember the Spaniard sold him to Manchester City. Would be massive to lose
such a power house. I hope Roman Abrahmovich is watching. Please dust your
cheque book.
Finally, the defensive partnership of Toby Alderwiereld and Wimmer
should be commended. Wimmer who has been drafted to cover up for injured Jan
Vertonghen has helped the Spurs team to keep 3 clean sheets so far. The party
seem to be starting early in White Hart Lane.
And this leaves me with the question. Could the title be heading to
North London? If yes which part of the North London? Emirates or White Hart
Lane? Do you think Leicester City can still pull a massive shock and run away
with the title?
Do you think Manchester City can still win it? If Pochettino
wins it, do you see him becoming the next Manchester United manager? Remember
Legendary Alex Chapman Ferguson said he is an admirer of the work the Argentine
has done at White Hart Lane so far.
So many questions with no answers…….
Mazi Pita Chisom Molokwu
Chelsea FC Fan
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