Nuno's Spurs Stun City in Season Opener

Sunday 15th August 2021

Match Report

Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 0 Manchester City

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

Competition: English Premier League

Fans returned to see new Spurs manager Nuno Espírito Santo somewhat unexpectedly lead his side to a win to kick-off their campaign, as they emerged victorious over defending champions and Harry Kane suitors Manchester City.

Spurs' talisman Kane, who'd been the feature of many a headline throughout the summer, wasn't present due to an extended break off the back of his heavy involvement in the Euros. Spurs turned to Son to deliver the threat up top. Bergwijn and Moura provided the width either side of him. Skipp, Højbjerg and Alli were selected as the midfield trio, and a back four of Tanganga, Sánchez, Dier and Reguilón lined up in front of ever-present skipper Hugo Lloris.

5' A lively start from City as Gündogan, Fernandinho and Cancelo all came close with decent chances to put the visitors ahead. It was clear that Spurs needed to wake up, and quickly!

24' Spurs' first real chance of their own – Son floated in a free-kick from the right side, between halfway and the penalty area. Sánchez rose well to beat Ederson to it, who'd come flying out in an attempt to punch the ball away. Sánchez had clearly been distracted by the challenge as his header went sideways rather than goalwards, fortunately it fell nicely to Moura who volleyed it at goal from the right side of the six yard box, it was a good effort, but Gündogan was there to block it off the line.

35' Another big chance for City – Sterling worked his way down the left side of the area. His cross deflected off Tanganga and landed around the penalty spot where Mahrez came running in to meet it, fortunately for Spurs his scissor-kicked half-volley was wide of the mark.

40' Spurs broke quickly on the counter via Lucas Moura up the right side. He swept a pass forward into the feet of an onrushing Son, who bought it under control on the edge of the area, he teased Diaz this way and that before unleashing a right footed shot across goal that bounced just wide of the post. Despite Son's incredulous appeals for a corner, the referee pointed for a goal kick. The replay proved his point – the ball was clearly deflected wide off Cancelo's backside.

"Thoughts at Half Time – Spurs could have easily found themselves behind inside the opening ten minutes, a real shaky start. But they grew into the game well and have looked dangerous on the counter. Spurs fans will be encouraged by their side's first half display, and will be hoping they can continue to carry a threat going forward in the second half. They'll have to make sure to keep it tight at the back as well though, as City will equally fancy their chances of winning this one."

54' Spurs take the lead and it's sublime from Son! A City cross was cleared away and fell to Moura on the edge of the area who flicked a bouncing ball into the path of Bergwijn and set him racing away on the counter attack. After carrying it up the centre of the pitch he laid it out to Son on the right wing. Having received it out wide, Son began to cut inside by the top corner of the penalty area. Nathan Aké stood him up but Son flashed a step-over with his right before shifting it onto his left and rifling a shot across goal into the bottom corner. 1-0 Spurs.

59' Spurs were buzzing and just moments later Bergwijn arguably should have made it two – Moura set off on another of his dogged dribbles forward, Fernandinho slid in and knocked the ball away from him, Diaz could only nudge the loose ball off its path which eluded Cancelo and set Bergwijn in on goal down the left side of the area. Ederson rushed out to narrow the angle and Bergwijn went for the near post but could only find the side netting – A disappointing finish in an important moment.

70' A well worked City free-kick saw Gündogan choose to find Cancelo out to the right when everybody was expecting him to shoot. Cancelo drilled it in low across the six yard box where it was met by Ferran Torres, but he could only bundle the ball wide.

77' Bergwijn received a standing ovation as he made way for Lo Celso.

79' Højbjerg powered a free kick into the feet of Son on the edge of the area with his back to goal. A lovely first touch and quick turn allowed him space to whip a right footed shot towards goal, but it was just wide of Ederson's post.

83' "Japhet Tanganga! He's one of our own!" Rang out amongst a standing ovation as Tanganga departed for Doherty.

84' Grealish tried to work his way down the right side before opting to cut back and pick out De Bruyne on the edge of the area. He took a touch to set himself before lashing one across goal that Hugo Lloris did well to dive and double-fist wide.

90' Højbjerg made way for the third standing ovation of the day. Summer signing Cristian Romero on for his debut in an attempt to sure up the backline in the closing minutes.

90+6' The ref blew for full time and it was pandemonium inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as flags were waved and "Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur!" rang out around the stands. Smiles all around, one of the biggest on the face of new manager Nuno Espírito Santo, what a start for him and what a start for Spurs!

Tottenham Player Ratings

• 1. Hugo Lloris – 7 – Clean sheet from our captain. Was tested on occasion by the likes of Grealish and De Bruyne and made some decent saves to deny them.

• 25. Japhet Tanganga – 9 – Outstanding performance from the academy graduate. Playing out of his natural position at right back, he bullied Sterling and Grealish down his side, taking full advantage of the new leniency law brought in this season. His passion was instrumental in riling up his teammates and the home support. Deserved to go off to a standing ovation and a chorus of "One of our own!"

• 6. Davinson Sánchez – 7 – A strong performance from him. Stood up to make some vital blocks and showed composure on the ball.

• 15. Eric Dier – 7 – As solid as Sánchez. They both played well and made for a pretty formidable centre-back pairing that would have surprised a lot of fans. His distribution was good too.

• 3. Sergio Reguilón – 7 – Didn't see a whole lot of him as he had limited opportunities to get forward. Encouraging defensive display though.

• 5. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 9 – Performance of a leader. Showed his usual grit and determination in the centre of the park and went about breaking down City threats with strong tackles and interceptions.

• 29. Oliver Skipp – 8 – Thrown straight in at the deep end and seemed a little star-struck in the opening stages. Found his feet quickly though and soon looked like he'd been playing at this level for years as he won the ball back time and time again. Very promising.

• 20. Dele Alli – 7 – A new-look box-to-box Dele Alli. Worked his arse off covering more ground than anyone else on the pitch. Good to see him putting a real shift in for the side and showed some good touches too.

• 27. Lucas Moura – 8 – Lively display from Lucas. Full of running as usual. Helped kick-off counters, as he did for Son's goal. Got his head down dribbling the ball into dangerous areas, and raced in to snatch loose balls on occasion. What we love to see from him.

• 7. Son Heung-min – 9 – Committed to the club in the summer by signing a new long-term deal. Proved a point as the star man by coming up with a classic Son strike to seal the win for his side. Came agonisingly close to grabbing one or two more. A constant threat to the City defence.

• 23. Steven Bergwijn – 7 – A purposeful performance from a player who fell away under Mourinho. Set Spurs away on the counter multiple times with his quick turn of pace and driving runs. Provided the assist for Son's goal. Showed he still needs to improve his finishing however, as he missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0.

Substitutions:

• 23. Steven Bergwijn <-- 77' --> 18. Giovani Lo Celso – 7 – Got out there and fought for the cause. Made tackles, passed well, and won free-kicks.

• 25. Japhet Tanganga <-- 83' --> 2. Matt Doherty – N/A – Not much of note in a short cameo appearance.

• 5. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg <-- 90' --> 4. Cristian Romero – N/A – On late to see out the final moments.

Man of the Match – 25. Japhet Tanganga