There have been some outstanding games between Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola sides over the years in the Premier League but, it was Manchester City who took advantage of more Tottenham Hotspur errors to further extending their lead at the top of the table on this occasion.
Tottenham Hotspur Errors Cost Them Once More
Spurs Continuing Individual Errors
After being involved in a scintillating FA Cup tie on Wednesday against Everton, another trip to the North West just three days later was possibly the last thing Mourinho and his players needed. The Cup tie went to extra time and there was a fatigue about a Spurs team undone once more by individual errors.
Manchester City took the lead through a Rodri penalty following a clumsy foul in the box by Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg. The subsequent penalty was fairly poor, but Hugo Lloris somehow managed to let the ball go past him. Lloris had been at fault for at least two of Everton’s goals in the 5-4 defeat and his miserable run of form continued against City.
The second and third goals were both avoidable and for the Tottenham defence, they were embarrassing. The superb Ilkay Gundogan made it 2-0 despite there being seven Spurs players in and around the box and only three City players. It was neat football but the defending was non-existent and the shot should have been saved by Lloris.
Gundogan scored his second after a long ball from Ederson Moraes was not dealt with by Davinson Sanchez. Sanchez was bullied off the ball by the smaller man and ended up on the turf as Gundogan fired home. City were good but Tottenham gave them little opposition.
Harry Kane had Spurs’ best chance of the game when his free kick in the first half fizzed back off the crossbar.
A team featuring Kane, Son Heung-Min, Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura from the start and later Gareth Bale and Dele Alli not creating chances is a major headache for Mourinho. Bale did show one piece of skill as he showed strength and a neat turn but his shot was kept out by the otherwise untroubled Ederson.
Tottenham’s Season in the Balance
Tottenham are in eighth place and starting to lose ground on the top four and their season is slowly ebbing away before their very eyes. The Carabao Cup Final will see Mourinho and Guardiola meet again as the Portuguese manager looks to end Spurs’ 13-year wait for silverware.
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If results don’t change soon, a trophy might not be enough for Tottenham to record the season as a success. A second successive season outside of the top four would be a step backwards for the North London club and the pressure is heating up on Jose Mourinho, who needs the continuing Tottenham Hotspur errors to be eradicated.
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