After conceding 15 goals in our last three meetings with Manchester City, this was certainly an improvement. Not only did we restrict our opponents to one goal, we were somewhat unlucky to finish up losing.
Spurs had 54% of possession and out-shot our opponents 21 to 15. Some of those were good chances too.
The team was pretty much the one Pochettino has played for most of the second half of the season. I was disappointed not to see some of our fringe players given a chance. With Ryan Mason looking tired and off form, surely Stambouli, Paulinho or Dembele deserved an opportunity?
Early on Tottenham looked lively. Eric Dier went close with a free header from a corner in the third minute. Moments later Lamela played in Kane who dragged his shot just wide.
The City goal was a real sucker punch. Spurs had brought their big defenders up for a corner. The ball ended up in Hart’s grasp and he quickly fed David Silva. With Tottenham players scrambling to get back into position, Silva fed Aguero, so often our nemesis. The Argentine striker fired the ball into the net.
It was a fantastic counter attack but there were opportunities to stop it. Lamela backed off Silva giving him time to pick his pass. Mason completely missed Aguero’s run. Should we have committed so many players forward for the corner anyway given the pretty small chance of scoring from one?
Fernandinho had two chances from the edge of the area after more clinical counter attacks but it was the home side who dominated play. Mason missed when one-on-one with Hart after a great ball from Harry Kane. Hart then made another great block as the Spurs striker found himself through after another searching pass from Dier.
Paulinho came on in the 69th minute and made a surprisingly positive impact. He added energy to a tired looking midfield. Lacking in confidence of late, he often seems to hide, not wanting the ball – here he was demanding it. He made a strong case for inclusion next week against Hull.
Some good work from the Brazilian led to a shot at goal for the otherwise ineffective Soldado. Another move created from a driving run by Paulinho led to a great chance for the equaliser. Unfortunately his shot was too close to Hart.
In recent games it has seemed like Manchester City’s attack was like Kryptonite to the Spurs defence. Here there were chances for the visitors on the break – Bony missed one of the better ones – but there was never the feeling that Tottenham would capitulate.
Special mentions to Dier and Rose – I thought both fullbacks were excellent. Lamela too had one of his better games in a Spurs shirt with two shots at goal and six chances created. Some of the other players are starting to look tired after a long season.
As time expired Lamela had a bouncing shot saved by the excellent Hart. It would have been a deserved point.
Follow me on Twitter: @ABPSpurs
Was this a good Spurs performance? Should Paulinho start next weekend? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Anything But Penalties 
Lucky not to concede a penalty, lucky when Lloris went walkabout Aguero didn’t get another. Beaten by a better team no disgrace, lucky not to get something? Well, as lucky not to concede another as well.
I have to disagree about the penalty shout. There was minimal contact and Aguero made the most of it.
21 shots to 15 shows Spurs had the chances too but Aguero’s class told in the end.
Minimal contact means no foul? Aguero was caught 100% which caused him to go down. I don’t think it was on purpose but never the less it was a foul. The fact is it wasn’t given and that was ‘lucky’ Of course Spurs had chances but I didn’t see them scoring if they hadn’t after the first two chances that one should have been put away, while Hart had a solid game he didn’t do anything special. I think shots on target tell a better story left right and center shots from distance can be taken by anyone. On target was 5 to 4. Spurs couldn’t put the ball in the net, City could Simple really. There is no luck in missing.
I don’t think there was enough contact for him to go down. For me it was no foul.
Spurs had more shots and more shots on target. Shots inside the box were 13-10 in their favour. If you don’t think converting them is largely down to luck you’ve obviously never looked into how much shot conversion regresses to the mean.
Team I played on Hackney Marches,our forwards would have scored on chances missed by Soldado,Lemela,Kane & slow defenders like Frazio big joke! SELL ALL OUR DEADWOOD & TAKE MONEY & RUN: Sodado,Lemela,Ade,Pahuhinio,Townsend,Lennon,Dembele,Kuboul,Chirches,Caponie,
Davis,Von Rom.AND use money to BUY REAL PLAYERS: Morgan,Auderweild,Cabye,Beneke,Javier, Jay if fully recovered,or another winger?
Mr Wine & Dine useless Baldini.
Getting players out is imperative this summer. Hopefully the new guys in the recruitment department will help us make some better buys this time around.
As disappointing as the outcome was, it was a real entertaining game and props to Spurs for battling for it till the end. When will we ever get the chance to see all of our 3 forwards in one match!! That was so fun :P
You are right to praise the aforementioned three: Dier, Rose and Lamela. They are all improving and really buying into the system. Rose’s crossing is so much better now and Dier’s decision making is getting better (when to commit, when to stay back). Finally, Lamela, my Spurs MOTM. He was all over the pitch and was creating panic every time he had the ball. Now, if only he gets rid of that ‘dallying’ around the ball for too long, and he’s be amazing :)
My hall of shame: Ericksen. Oh boy does he look burned out. He had some nice touches and such but that moment where we were in such a promising spell and then he got robbed from behind was an absolute shocker. Mason: Clearly burned out as well. I’m with the blogger here and i cannot believe i’m going to say this: start Paulinho!
With the Champions League spots gone and Eriksen and Mason both tired out, we may as well try out Paulinho, Dembele and Stambouli.
i’m in favour of trying Dembele as number 10 again so that Ericksen can rest up.
In regards to next season, do you think Stambouli will remain at the club? I have the impression that he may not get much chance especially next season as well with Tom Carroll coming back and especially Delle Ali – man, that kid is special. I hope he does not turn into another John Bostock.
I’m not sure why Stambouli doesn’t get a chance but I agree he doesn’t seem to be in Pochettino’s plans.
Pingback: Stoke 3 Spurs 0 – Tottenham routed as Chiriches sees red | Anything But Penalties