Tottenham overcame the loss of Harry Kane to injury as well as a Sergio Aguero penalty miss to earn a 1-0 first-leg Champions League quarter-final victory over Manchester City – thanks to Son Heung-min’s individual goal.
City had the perfect chance to open the scoring when referee Bjorn Kuipers consulted VAR and awarded a penalty following a raised Danny Rose arm. But Aguero’s weak spot kick was saved by Hugo Lloris.
Tottenham then had to contend with Kane’s injury early in the second half, hobbling off after careering into Fabian Delph.
It was an open game but also cagey with few clear-cut chances and you felt there might only be one goal – it came from the hosts with 20 minutes remaining. Son beat the offside trap and then keept the ball in, before bamboozling Delph and firing under Ederson.
They held on and will take a one-goal advantage to the Etihad next week.
Here’s how we rated the home players:
TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1)
Hugo Lloris – 7: Penalty was at a nice height for him but he still had to get across to palm it away. Handling was solid throughout.
Kieran Trippier – 6: Had his hands full with Sterling but stuck at his task. Led Spurs with four tackles.
Toby Alderweireld – 7: Stood up stoically in the face of a usually dominant City. Kept Aguero quiet, which is hard to do. Led side with five clearances.
Jan Vertonghen – 7: Typified Spurs’ solidity as the rock in central defence. Attacking prowess was a feature against Borussia Dortmund, here he was back doing day job.
Danny Rose – 7: Overcame that concession of a penalty to put in a solid display. Kept Mahrez quiet.
Harry Winks – 5: Diminutive midfielder won team-high three aerials. Not the greatest of impacts but was busy and industrious.
Moussa Sissoko – 8: Patrolled midfield diligently, as well as contributing in attack. Superb tackle on surging Sterling. Distribution was flawless, completing 96.7 per cent of his passes.
Christian Eriksen – 6: Always the out ball for Spurs and looked capable of fashioning an open. Fairly quiet until clipping Son in for the Spurs goal – one of three key passes.
Dele Alli – 7: Lively start, firing over. Good feet set up chance for Kane. A constant scourge for City. Fouled three times.
Son Heung-min – 8: Grew into the game, flashing a shot inches wide of Ederson’s goal to start the second half. Beat offside trap and kept ball in before firing opening goal.
Harry Kane – 7: Led line confidently. Brought stop from Ederson, though perhaps could have made him work harder. Worryingly hobbled off after meaty clash with Delph.
SUBS:
Lucas Moura – 6: Immediate impact as he surged into City territory, earning a free-kick.
Victor Wanyama N/A: Brought on to solidify the midfield. Little of note.
Fernando Llorente N/A: No time to make an impact, five touches.