Late Goal Sends Manchester City to Fifth Round of FA Cup

Manchester City secured their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a late goal to defeat Tottenham Hotspur. The holders left it until the 88th minute when Nathan Ake poked the ball home after Spurs failed to deal with a corner. The goal survived a VAR check, much to the dismay of Tottenham players and fans.

The victory was a significant one for Manchester City, as they had never won at Tottenham’s new stadium and had failed to score in their previous five visits. Prior to this game, they had lost their last four matches at the stadium without finding the back of the net. Their only previous defeat at the venue was in the 2019 Champions League semifinal.

City dominated the game from the start, with the statistics and overall performance pleasing manager Pep Guardiola. They had numerous chances throughout the match, creating a total of 18 shots compared to Tottenham’s solitary shot. Guardiola praised his team’s defensive efforts and their attacking prowess, highlighting the tempo and set-piece skills displayed by match-winner Nathan Ake.

Despite a valiant effort from Spurs, who defended well and made City work for their victory, it was ultimately not enough. Tottenham’s appeals for a foul on the winning goal were in vain, as both the referee and VAR deemed the goal legitimate. Manager Ange Postecoglou acknowledged City’s superiority and expressed disappointment at conceding late but emphasized that the result does not change their overall direction.

Nathan Ake, who scored the crucial goal, expressed his happiness at the team’s performance and praised their belief and persistence. Winning the match was important for City, as they aim to defend their title and remain in contention for all competitions.

Tottenham’s defeat marked the first time in 10 months that they failed to score a goal, ending a streak of 35 consecutive games. It was also their first goalless performance under the management of Ange Postecoglou. Their last goalless match occurred in the Champions League round of 16 second leg against AC Milan.

Manchester City’s victory extends their impressive FA Cup record, as they have now won 22 consecutive matches in the competition when not played at Wembley. This run spans back to January 2019 and highlights their consistent success in reaching at least the fifth round for nine consecutive seasons.

The match itself was not a classic, lacking in end product. Both teams displayed excellent build-up and combination play, but the contest was ultimately decided by a mistake. Manchester City sealed the victory in the dying minutes of the game, preventing Tottenham from mounting a late comeback.

Manchester City’s late goal secured them a place in the next round of the FA Cup, continuing their quest to defend the title. The victory was well-deserved, considering City’s dominance throughout the game. Tottenham fought hard but fell short, ending their goal-scoring streak. City’s win extends their remarkable FA Cup record, placing them among the favorites in the competition.