A late goal from Nathan Ake secured Manchester City initial triumph in six visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, securing their spot in the FA Cup fifth round.
Aoba Tanaka
2 min read
In a thrilling FA Cup fourth-round clash, Nathan Ake’s late goal secured Manchester City’s first victory in six visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, propelling them into the coveted FA Cup fifth round. City’s resilience paid off in a dramatic finish, defeating Spurs and leaving 9,000 ecstatic City fans celebrating in north London.
City dominated the game, creating numerous chances, but Spurs put up a defiant rearguard action, seemingly headed for a replay. Ake’s breakthrough came in the 88th minute, capitalizing on Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario’s inability to hold Kevin de Bruyne’s corner under pressure from Ruben Dias.
The match showcased City’s superior play, with an early Oscar Bobb strike ruled out for offside and Vicario making crucial saves, notably denying Bernardo Silva. Despite a wasteful opportunity from De Bruyne, City’s persistence ultimately paid off in a near-post scramble, sealing a win they thoroughly deserved.
City manager Pep Guardiola, visibly animated after the final whistle, praised his team’s resilience and celebrated the triumph at a stadium that had previously brought them nothing but misery.
This victory marks City’s growing momentum, with scintillating early play and the impending return of striker Erling Haaland further boosting their confidence in the pursuit of the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
For Spurs, the disappointment is palpable as they exit the FA Cup, ending a 35-game run without a blank. Despite a valiant effort from defender Micky van de Ven and keeper Vicario, the absence of talismanic captain Son Heung-min and the inability to score proved costly. The return of James Maddison from an ankle injury is a silver lining, but the loss leaves Spurs focusing on staying in touch with the Premier League’s leading pack.
As City revels in their triumph, Spurs must regroup and shift their focus to the challenges that lie ahead in the Premier League, aiming to rebound from this setback in pursuit of their season goals.
