Football Features

    Every player rated as Spurs edge past Man City 1-0 in Champions League

    By Ben Green

    Published: 22:12, 9 April 2019

    Tottenham Hotspur marked the first European match at their new stadium with a 1-0 win over Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

    Pep Guardiola’s men had the first opportunity to draw blood but Hugo Lloris was equal to Sergio Aguero’s effort from the spot after referee Bjorn Kuipers adjudged Danny Rose to have handled the ball upon consultation with VAR.

    https://audioboom.com/posts/7227287-barcelona-will-rely-on-their-jon-snow-to-deal-with-any-man-utd-counter-attack

    In the second half Spurs broke the deadlock when Son Heung-min dispatched a lethal left-footed effort past Ederson in the 78th minute and his side kept their nerve as City failed to respond.

    And so, after the inaugural Champions League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, how did the players rate?

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Hugo Lloris – 8 – Stepped up when his side needed him after Rose conceded a penalty, diving to his left and comfortably parrying Aguero’s shot away from danger. Held his own from there on out as his side kept City at bay.

    Kieran Trippier – 7 – Surged forward in his typical style, offering an essential option from the right flank for his attacking teammates, while also standing up to the ominous task of marking Sterling.

    Toby Alderweireld – 8 – The chief policeman in a watertight defence, Alderweireld formed a formidable centre-back partnership with his Belgian counterpart as they reduced Aguero to speculative efforts and kept Jesus quiet.

    Jan Vertonghen – 8 – Alongside Alderweireld the dynamic duo were a pillar of strength, proving impenetrable on the night and seldom guilty of aberrations in defence.

    Danny Rose – 6 – Deemed to have handled the ball and conceded a penalty in the 13th minute but didn’t appear fazed from the incident and he went on to have a solid game at full-back.

    Harry Winks – 6 – Just back from injury and gave a good account of himself, forming a combative partnership alongside Sissoko with the tenacious twosome working well in tandem as City hogged the ball for large spells of the match.

    Christian Eriksen – 7 – Showcased glimmers of his creative spark even if his end product was not as refined as usual, but the Dane was a chief tormentor when Spurs offered attacking forays.

    Moussa Sissoko – 8 – The workaholic midfielder put his body on the line and played the Mousa Dembele role competently; the frisson of energy he continually provided ensured his side kept pace with the City midfield.

    Dele Alli – 8 – One of Spurs’ best player on the night, the England midfielder was not only tidy in possession and threatening in dangerous areas but also strong in the tackle and relentless with his pressing.

    Son Heung-min – 8 – Scored his second goal at the new stadium after a moment of dazzling imagination, keeping the ball in play after a loose touch before rifling the ball past Ederson.

    Harry Kane – 7 – Caused Otamendi and Laporte a myriad of problems during his time on the pitch, linking up with his attacking teammates exceptionally well, and playing a key role in Spurs’ high calibrated press. But his game was brought short by what appears to be a serious injury.

    Substitutions:

    Lucas Moura (for Kane 57) – 6 – Caused problems upon his introduction, keeping the City back line on their toes.

    Victor Wanyama (for Winks 81) – 6 – Brought on the lock up the midfield and did just that with 10 minutes left of the match.

    Fernando Llorente (for Alli 89) – N/A – Came on in the dying embers to see the game out.

    Manchester City

    Ederson – 6 – Commanded his box well and provided a calm and collected presence in between the sticks, continuously building from the back to monopolise possession. But perhaps he could have done better for Son’s goal.

    Kyle Walker – 6 – Never shied away from getting forward and aiding his offensive teammates in the final third, while also proving strong in the challenge when Spurs attacked.

    Nicolas Otamendi – 6 – The better of City’s centre-backs, making more tackles, winning more aerial duels and making more interceptions than Laporte – the Argentine was a resolute component of Guardiola’s backline despite conceding.

    Aymeric Laporte – 6 – Lulled into an early booking and looked to be losing his head on a few occasions in the first half. The Frenchman had a few solid moments but failed to prevent Son unlocking the door.

    Fabian Delph – 5 – Often held his own as an auxiliary full-back, but was naturally caught out on a few occasions, and was all at sea for Son’s decisive goal.

    IIkay Gundogan – 7 – City’s best midfielder, stimulating their midfield while circling the middle of the park and spraying passes at will. The Germany international was trying to make his side tick but they lacked the requisite edge in the final third.

    Fernandinho – 6 – Tried to anchor the midfield in his usual manner but failed to make a single successful tackle as Spurs executed an efficient high press, though looked neat in possession.

    David Silva – 6 –  The pint-sized magician tried to unlock doors and pull the strings but was slightly off pace – such is his high standard – though he did make a key pass and incredibly won more tackles than any of his teammates.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eld87yQF3QM&t=8s

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    Riyad Mahrez – 4 – Struggled to find his way into the match, often running down blind alleys and failing to justify his selection ahead of Sane.

    Raheem Sterling – 7 – City’s biggest threat in the final third, the England international often wreaked havoc on the wing with his calculated bursts forward, winning the penalty kick in the first half.

    Sergio Aguero – 5 – Squandered a glorious opportunity in the opening exchanges after failing to convert from 12 yards. The Argentine marksman was unable to redeem himself throughout the match and started to show signs of exhaustion as the game went on.

    Substitutions:

    Gabriel Jesus (for Aguero 71) – 5 – Had 20 minutes to influence proceedings but failed to make an impact.

    Leroy Sane (for Mahrez 89) – N/A – Came on far too late with only a few minutes to go.

    Kevin De Bruyne (for Silva 89) – N/A – Again came on with next to no time left to stamp his mark.

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