Timo Werner ignored, mixed Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 5 things spotted in Tottenham vs Man City Much better after the break, Brennan Johnson was the first Spurs player to test Stefan Ortega as he was played through and his dinked effort hit the goalkeeper in the chest. Tottenham unfortunately just failed to create any meaningful chances and that in the end allowed the visitors to secure a place in round five as Ake converted with two minutes left on the clock.
No Maddison rush
Making it clear in his pre-match press conference that James Maddison was in a position to start against Man City after returning from his two-month injury layoff, Ange Postecoglou, in the end, elected to go with Tottenham’s No.10 on the substitutes’ bench rather than rush him back into the team. Having previously named Rodrigo Bentancur and Cristian Romero in the Spurs side at the first opportunity after the duo had recovered from their respective injuries ahead of schedule, the 58-year-old was this time a bit more cautious with the England ace.
“He was as close as anyone else but obviously he hasn’t played for quite a while and I am mindful of the fact that I reckon there will be a fair bit in the game early,” he told ITV ahead of the game. “Having him to come on could be helpful for us.”
The decision from Postecoglou may have come as a disappointment to some Spurs fans but all were extremely pleased just to have him back in the matchday party after last playing at the beginning of November. Introduced for the final 18 minutes of the contest, Maddison unfortunately couldn’t work his magic in the final third as it was City who finished the contest the stronger of the sides before they won it late on.
Now set to have another week on the training pitch to work on his fitness, the attacking midfielder will be hoping to be named in the Tottenham XI next Saturday when they travel to Goodison Park to take on Everton.
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