Ake scores controversial 88th minute winner to edge an off form Spurs to reach FA Cup 5th round

After a tough 1st half with the colossal money-bags Manchester City dominating a seemingly nervous Tottenham Hotspur, the 2nd half was a different story. The game was decided by a controversial goal by Ake.

With 10 shots to zero to start the game, it appeared like in-the naughty-corner-due-to-alleged-financial-irregularities City would vanquish their Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hoodoo.

Featuring a loaded bench with likeable England winger Jack Grealish, speedy Belgian winger Jérémy Doku, a returning-to-fitness King of Belgium Kevin De Bruyne and 1st choice all-world Brazilian keeper Ederson keeping trophy-hungry coach Pep Guardiola company, there were ominous signs in North London. 

Clearly missing their inspirational captain Son Heung-min, who is feeling the weight of a nation at the Asia Cup, Spurs were timid to begin with and lacked movement in the final 3rd for the first 60 minutes.They were slow in possession and seemed to be chasing shadows against a team missing many of their stars. 

With returning playmaker James Maddison on the bench after three months out with an ankle injury, Spurs fans were certainly edgy and seemed to be biting their nails watching a tricky contest against a team on a mission to get revenge. 

Slowly Spurs started getting back their bite with the intimidating Australian coach Ange Postecoglou getting his message across from the sidelines. 22-year-old Welsh wizard Brennan Johnson started to weave his web on the wing and began to force make-shift left-back Joško Gvardiol into committing silly fouls. 

The game was decided by a controversial goal by Ake

Enter floppy-haired maestro De Bruyne. Nothing much happened to begin with. He is still getting back into peak shape and Spurs’ sturdy defence did well to lock him up and seemed to throw away the keys. Micky van de Ven was in no mood to concede and saved his team with a few well-timed tackles.

Enter Maddison and Oliver Skipp with 20 minutes to go. Extra force was applied. Passes were silky and the game started to open up without any clear-cut chances to test 2nd-choice keeper Stefan Ortega.

Out-of-form Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg will owe Guglielmo Vicario dinner after almost giving the game away with sloppy control. Lucky boy. De Bruyne couldn’t quite make it count and looked frustrated not to get the opening goal. Doku had a half chance a few minutes later but couldn’t get the better of the impressive Italian Vicario who wrapped up his shot like a warm blanket. 

Then Ake struck. It came off a corner with Rúben Dias nudging Vicario, who punched the ball down, only for it to hit van de Ven and fall invitingly in the path of a jubilant Nathan Ake. Spurs huffed and puffed but couldn’t find the equaliser. Game over. City are through, with Tottenham rueing a disjointed performance.

Sources: Premier League, FA Cup