Tony Cascarino has admitted he was stunned after Tottenham Hotspur full-back Pedro Porro pulled off an audacious backheel inside his own penalty area on Sunday.
Speaking on The Game Football Podcast, the pundit admitted the Tottenham defender’s piece of skill against Manchester City left him laughing.
Spurs earned a 3-3 draw at the Etihad Stadium after a spirited display against the Premier League champions. Son Heung-Min, Giovani Lo Celso and Dejan Kulusevski were all on target on the day, with the latter netting a last-minute equaliser.
Many wondered whether or not Ange Postecoglou would adjust his attacking style as he headed to City without a host of key players. But it’s fair to say that Tottenham picked up a result due to their bravery on the ball as they looked to take the game to Pep Guardiola’s side.
And one moment from Pedro Porro in the second half summed up Spurs’ approach to the game.
The Spaniard competed with Erling Haaland after a more direct ball from City down the touchline. The 24-year-old beat the City star to the ball before pulling off an audacious backheel across the edge of Tottenham’s penalty area to pick out Emerson Royal.
And Tony Cascarino has admitted that the moment left him stunned.
“Porro did something at the end of the game which I couldn’t stop laughing at,” the pundit said. “He did a backheel inside his own 18-yard box!
“I kept thinking ‘You’d be pinned up against the wall in the dressing room’ with the Bissouma one, not so long ago.
“Players would have you up against the wall saying ‘What the hell are you thinking? Why did you do that?’ and yet it seems to be allowed in Ange’s team. You can go ‘Well, I’m going to try it’.”
There is plenty to admire about Tottenham’s performance on Sunday and their commitment to playing out from the back was unwavering.
Of course, it did cost them in the second half as Yves Bissouma was caught on the ball before Jack Grealish’s goal.
Spurs also nearly conceded a couple in the first half after Emerson Royal gave the ball away while attempting to play his way out of trouble. Yet, Postecoglou’s men also benefitted from their brave approach as Son’s opener was a direct result of some excellent build-up play on the edge of their penalty area.
Tottenham were also without both of their starting centre-backs at the Etihad, with Cristian Romero suspended and Micky van de Ven injured.
Both are crucial to how Spurs want to play and Postecoglou will be delighted to have Romero back for West Ham on Thursday.
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