Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Manchester City: Bergwijn enjoys dream debut to cut the gap to top four

Steven Bergwijn enjoyed a dream debut for Tottenham Hotspur as the Londoners overcame ten-man Manchester City 2-0 at home on Sunday evening.

Pep Guardiola’s men should have taken the lead in the first-half following some dramatic VAR intervention, however Ilkay Gundogan had his spot-kick saved. Oleksandr Zinchenko then got dismissed for two yellow cards before Bergwijn opened the scoring in the second-half with a tremendous strike from the edge of the area. Heung Min-Son rounded off an electric Spurs’ performance with a great solo goal of his own to see Spurs reduce the gap to the top-four to just four points.

City go close before VAR drama

The visitors started somewhat better and Sergio Aguero almost opened the scoring as he combined with Riyad Mahrez before hitting the base of the post with a low shot.

They then had what was their best opportunity of the match to claim the lead as referee Mike Dean initially waved away appeals for a penalty following a foul on Aguero by Serge Aurier. However, play was pulled by a VAR check, with a penalty eventually being awarded. Gundogan was the man to step up but a poor effort was easily palmed away by Hugo Lloris. Raheem Sterling attempted to stab in the rebound ahead of the advancing goalkeeper and fell to the floor with more appeals for a penalty. This time, the referee and VAR, following a check, were not interested.

There were even more chances for City as the first-half wore on, with Aguero and Gundogan going the closest but putting their shots on goal off target.

Zinchenko red sees visitors reduced to ten

Following a silly booking in the first-half, Zinchenko then made City’s task even more difficult. With Spurs breaking through Harry Winks, the Ukrainian put in a lunging challenge, taking down the Englishman and receiving his marching orders.

Spurs then took an instant advantage by scoring the opening goal. The recent big-money signing from PSV, Bergwijn, produced a great two touches by chesting the ball and then firing it into the far corner of Ederson’s net.

Son extends the lead

One of the better performers in the Tottenham squad this season, it was predictably Son who sealed the three points with an excellent goal of his own. The Korean did excellently to wriggle free of his marker on the edge of the penalty area. His shot then nestled into the near corner of the Manchester City goal.

Final Thoughts

This match really did hinge on two moments for Manchester City; their missed penalty and Zinchenko’s red card. Without those two aspects, the Citizens could well have won the match. However, Spurs do deserve credit for their showing having got themselves motivated following the miss and of course driving home their man advantage to claim what could potentially be a pivotal win in the race for a UEFA Champions League place.

Match Report

Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris (7); Tanganga (6), Sanchez (7), Alderweireld (7), Aurier (7); Lo Celso (6), Winks (7), Alli (6) (Lamela (6), 70′); Moura (7) (Dier (N/A), 84′), Bergwijn (8) (Ndombele (7), 70′), Son (7).

Manchester City: Ederson (6); Zinchenko (4), Fernandinho (5), Otamendi (6), Walker (5); De Bruyne (6), Rodri (6), Gundogan (5); Mahrez (6) (Jesus (5), 72′), Sterling (5) (Silva (N/A), 84′), Aguero (6) (Cancelo (6), 64′)

Goals: Bergwijn (63′), Son (71′)

Referee: Mike Dean

Yellow Cards: Sterling (12′), Walker (33′), Alderweireld (42′), Zinchenko (42′, 60′), Lo Celso (66′), Rodri (90+4′)

Red Cards: Zinchenko (60′)