Manchester City on Friday moved into the fifth round of the FA Cup in dramatic fashion as Nathan Ake’s controversial late goal clinched a 1-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur.
As the soccer world digested the stunning news that Juergen Klopp will step down as Liverpool boss at the end of this season, the club who might benefit most from his exit finally ended their wait for a first victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
City had lost all five of their previous visits to Tottenham’s plush arena without scoring a goal since the stadium opened in April 2019, but Dutch defender Ake ensured they would leave north London on a high at last when he stabbed home with just two minutes left in the fourth-round clash.
Photo: AP
“Today we performed incredibly well. Everything pleased me, from minute one to the end,” City manager Pep Guardiola said.
Guardiola’s side have won their past seven games in all competitions to maintain their renaissance after a pre-Christmas wobble.
They are five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, but hold a game in hand and will hope to capitalize on any uncertainty created by Klopp’s bombshell announcement.
Photo: AP
“He’s been my biggest rival, so I think he will be missed,” Guardiola said. “I’m a little bit pleased because without him I will sleep a little bit better the night before we play against Liverpool.”
Klopp and Guardiola have fought an intense rivalry during their time in England, with the City boss largely coming out on top in the silverware stakes.
City won all three major prizes last season and remain firmly in the hunt to retain the Premier League title, the Champions League trophy and the FA Cup.
With star striker Erling Haaland still sidelined by injury, Guardiola’s men were initially profligate in north London.
Oscar Bobb teed up Phil Foden late in the first half, but his strike flashed wide.
Julian Alvarez looked certain to score when he latched onto Bobb’s superb pass in the Tottenham area, but Micky van de Ven threw his body in the way to deflect the shot wide.
Guardiola sent on Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku for the last 25 minutes as the Belgian duo step up their returns from injury.
Bernardo Silva’s shot was repelled by Guglielmo Vicario before De Bruyne dragged his effort wide after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg gave the ball away.
City’s pressure was finally rewarded in the 88th minute as Vicario, under pressure from Ruben Dias, made a hash of catching De Bruyne’s corner.
Ake prodded in from close range and the goal survived a prolonged check by the video assistant referee (VAR).
“I’m sure they had a good look at it and the referee and VAR didn’t see anything wrong with it. We have to accept it,” Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said.
In the other fourth round game on Friday, Chelsea were held to a 0-0 draw by Aston Villa as both sides squandered opportunities at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea had scored six goals in their previous outing, dispatching Middlesbrough to reach next month’s EFL Cup final against Liverpool, but Mauricio Pochettino’s men found Villa a tougher nut as a combined 23 shots from both sides failed to yield a winner.
Nottingham Forest were held to a 0-0 draw by Championship giant-killers Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
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