Mauricio Pochettino: 'We managed the game, and dictated the tempo. We created more chances than Manchester City, but we just couldn't score'

Published: 5 May, 2015
by DAN CARRIER at White Hart Lane

Premier League
SPURS 0, MANCHESTER CITY 1

MAURICIO Pochettino cut a disappointed figure after watching his Spurs team fall to a 1-0 defeat against Manchester City.

The head coach said the difference between the two sides on Sunday was the City goalkeeper Joe Hart, who pulled off a string of impressive saves.

“Hart was the man of the match – he saved them,” claimed Pochettino.

“I am disappointed with the result, but I am happy with our performance. I felt we deserved more this afternoon. We managed the game, and dictated the tempo. We created more chances than Manchester City, but we just couldn't score.”

Spurs started well, with Eric Dier sending a free header narrowly wide and then Harry Kane going close with a low effort from the edge of the box in the opening five minutes.

But a warning shot of City’s potency came on 10 minutes, when Sergio Aguero connected with a deep cross and sent a volley narrowly wide.

Such efforts were few and far between. The home side looked in control – until Aguero's quality conjured a goal from nothing. Midway through the first half, he led a break after Spurs had gone forward for a corner and smashed home at the near post.

It was against the run of play, and the City defence regularly looked nervous under pressure. On 43 minutes, Ryan Mason snuck through the sky-blue lines but his flicked shot struck the sprawling Hart and bounced wide.

Hart was on hand again on 59 minuts. Kane found himself looking the keeper in the eyes as he squirmed free but the City number one made himself big and the delay allowed the cavalry to arrive.

It was a mark of how things played out. City were content to sit back and defend their lead, Spurs lacked the nous to make the most of the possession they enjoyed, and when they did get a sniff, Hart was equal to it.

Substitute Paulinho sent a header narrowly wide and then forced Hart into an excellent block, while Lamela nearly capped off a fine display with a goal in the dying minutes from a Danny Rose cross. Hart acrobatically pushed it over, capping a match-winning display from the England goalkeeper.

SPURS: Lloris, Rose, Vertonghen, Lamela, Dier, Kane, Fazio, Chadli (Adebayor, 84), Eriksen (Soldado, 57), Mason (Paulinho, 72), Bentaleb.
Subs: Vorm, Chiriches, Paulinho, Soldado, Adebayor, Yedlin, Stambouli.

SPURS COMMENT by Dan Carrier

ERIK Lamela and Danny Rose have not always had an easy time at Spurs. Fans have been quick to blame the pair for their perceived failings.

Yet on Sunday they both had excellent games. Lamela seems to have got the price-tag of £30m off his back. He fought for every thing and, while not always making the most of the chances he had, he forced City to keep a careful eye.

At the back, Rose did not put a foot wrong, dealing with everything that came his way. He also offered a good threat going forward. It has turned out to be a very good season for the young defender.

Just what has happened to Mousa Dembele? At the start of the year, it seemed he had finally earned his position – and rhythm – in the side. A poor first half against West Ham on February 22 saw him subbed at half-time, and he’s hardly been on the pitch since. Again he has failed to make the match day squad. Time is running out for him.

As for another match squad absentee, it would be a shame if Andros Townsend’s Spurs career ended in the close season. There is the sense that the winger has never had the chance to truly show what he can do. For England, the left-footer has been played on the left wing and been effective there. At Spurs, he is always on the right – and is constantly berated for heading down cul-de-sacs. But perhaps it’s the system he is asked to operate in, rather than lack of talent or application.