On 85 minutes, with the title on the line, Son Heung-Min bore down on goal after a Manuel Akanji slip. The Korean is statistically the best finisher in the Premier League, so this might have been the miracle Arsenal needed. Ederson wasn’t even on the pitch. Pep Guardiola admitted that all of Son’s previous goals against Manchester City, so many of them from similar situations to this, were running through his head. He couldn’t stay on his feet. Guardiola theatrically fell backwards, and later said that by then he knew the meaning of Sir Alex Ferguson’s “squeaky bum time”.
Stefan Ortega, the substitute goalkeeper, stood his ground. The miracle was instead that Son missed. He hit the ball straight at Ortega’s firmly planted leg.
Gasps turned to cheers at the City end. Spurs fans were feeling a mix of different emotions.
It was for that very reason, however, that Ange Postecoglou was clear in his own feelings. He was furious, in a press conference where he called into question so much about the modern Spurs. It was reminiscent of Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho, if delivered in Postecoglou’s own way. And that was cutting enough.
“I think the last 48 hours have revealed a fair bit to me… the foundations are fairly fragile, mate,” he said.
Maybe the most conspicuous line, however, was the following. “I probably misread the situation as to what I think is important in your endeavour to become a winning team, but that’s OK. That’s why I’m here.”
Esta historia es de la edición May 16, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 16, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Battle for a different No 10 may shape England's future
While Keir Starmer's arrival in Downing Street now seems a foregone conclusion, another battle for No 10 this summer looks rather tougher to call.
Clay champions don't need rub of the green in SW19
Iga Swiatek called it a \"huge challenge\", while Carlos Alcaraz wanted to enjoy his third grand slam title before turning his mind to emulating Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Germany hoping for a home run after decade of decline
In the wake of several disastrous tournaments, the Euro 2024 hosts are showing signs they can challenge top sides again
'Balloon war' of North and South Korea may blow up
Propaganda battle is damaging already fraught relations
Blinken pushes Netanyahu on Gaza ceasefire proposals
The US secretary of state Antony Blinken last night urged top Israeli officials to accept and implement a plan for postwar Gaza as he also pushed for more international pressure on Hamas to agree to a ceasefire proposal newly endorsed by the UN Security Council.
Le Pen's 'lion cub' protege prepares to bare his claws
Jordan Bardella, the president of the far-right National Rally party, is seeking to derail Emmanuel Macron's government
This Macron roll of the dice could backfire spectacularly
Emmanuel Macron has taken a massive gamble.
Snap French election 'most consequential' in decades
Parties in scramble to make alliances ahead of first round as EU reels from vote marked by major gains for the far right
Dancer Pernice won't be in the new 'Strictly', says BBC
Giovanni Pernice will not be joining this year's cast of Strictly Come Dancing, it has been announced.
NHS could get joint Covid and flu jab by end of year
A new combined flu and Covid vaccine could be approved for NHS use this year following clinical trials.