A Pyrrhic victory (/ˈpɪrɪk/ ⓘ PIRR-ik) is a victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat. That is what happen to Tottenham Hotspur yesterday. They won Manchester City with result of 2:1, proceed into next round of League Cup, but lost Van de Ven for hamstring injury and Romero and Werner got injuries too. I don't care about last one, but first two are major loss!
You can see starting line ups and major events on this picture. If you don't know some of players you see in Man City squad don't worry I've heard for some of them for first time too!
Spurs got lead in 5th minute after Johnson made very good and effective heel ball for Dejan Kulusevski who escaped his guardian and stormed on right wing to send quality low ball on the other side toward Timo Werner who shot and scored goal by sending ball little over goalkeeper. If you ask me that's lucky goal because ball touched defender who tried to block and moved little upper. If that didn't happen he'd most likely hit goalkeeper in shoulder. Anyway credit to him at least that shot was strong and powerful, not pass to goalkeeper like in one of previous games!
Second goal is a masterpiece of Pape Matar Sarr who got ball on 25 meters from goal form Dejan Kulusevski, fired great shot and ball which looked like it will go wide suddenly changed direction and ended up near post inside the net! Maybe some better goalkeeper would be able to save it, but that shouldn't reduce credit Sarr should got for this shot. It was like Hansi Flick's team finishing! Really great effort! Pure quality shot!
Soon after Van de Ven held his hamstring after one tackle and ended going into tunnel with tears which suggest it's new hamstring injury and long time absence. Congratulate to brainless owners of Tottenham who didn't brought in good replacement for him! They will pay big price for it in next games! Ben Davies can't play that role in this system, because he is too slow!
City dominated possession, but sky blue players couldn't make shot on target until deep injury time of first half when Spurs players forgot Nunes on back post and conceded easy tap in. It was cross from City right side, Udogie was unable to stop attacker who made cross, Gray went in the middle, Johnson didn't cover player and alone Nunes did tap in from close range. It's not first time Spurs are conceding goal like this.
Second half started with surprising Davies for Romero substitute which tells me that he has been injured too. City continued to attack and press, while Spurs waited for counter attack.They made two but Johnson's shot was saved, while Timo Werner missed goal from very big chance. That Timo shot was quality and close to goal, but went just little wide!
Kulusevski soon had very big opportunity, but his good effort has been saved by Ortega!
Savinho went out injured too and Pep started to send players like Silva on the pitch, but not Haaland. Timo Werner got injured too and has been replaced with Richarlison, while Johnson has been replaced with Moore. Brazilian did some good moves, but disgraced when he failed to score goal from around 7 meters after receiving sudden surprise gift ball from City players. He was turned toward goal, but somehow managed to hit goalkeeper with ball showing once more he's not solution in attack.
Near the end Vicario missed ball and hit own players after corner in amateur style, ball felt to City player who sent it near post but Bissouma did awesome clearance for which Italian need to pay him dinner! Result stayed the same and Spurs go marching into next round!
It's nice to win, but price we payed for this win is way to high. I don't think Tottenham can win this trophy. One bad draw and Arsenal or Liverpool away and we're out! It's more likely we just helped someone else (and that is not Chelsea) to win it by eliminating the strongest squad in England. I am already scared before Aston Villa game because I know I will see Davies in that back line. Next opponent in League Cup will be Manchester United. Spurs will play game at home on 16th December.
After the game Dejan Kulusevski decided to do little crowing by saying he wants to show he can be one of the best players in the world. There is no need for such self overrating. I mean he's good, but not close to be the best in the world. He's the best in league for 2-3 important metrics, but when you look all 10 metrics you should look he's not in top 10 in EPL and he didn't show some big skill against Crystal Palace! Good part of his statement is that they are already thinking about Aston Villa! They should do that!
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