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.”
This story is from the May 16, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 16, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CONTINENTAL SHIFT
Abass Baraou and Macaulay McGowan's European title bout will turn a Bolton ring into a time machine, says Steve Bunce
Tactical puzzle at the centre of Spain's trophy ambitions
We're a little over a decade since Spain's back-to-back triumphs at Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 and the national team have been through an entire lifecycle since then, it feels.
Ten Hag to remain United manager after season review
Manchester United are in talks with Erik ten Hag about a new contract after deciding that he will remain their manager for next season. United concluded their end-of-season review by determining that Ten Hag is the right man to take them forward under the new regime led by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos.
From Hampden to Munich, one fan's trek for extra time
Craig Ferguson hopes his 1,000-mile Euro 2024 trek raises awareness of men’s mental health and suicide prevention
Next PM needs to tackle unemployment rise, fast...
Another blow for Rishi Sunak – this time, in the form of new labour market data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Malawi vice-president dies with nine others in air crash
Malawi's vice-president, Saulos Chilima, was among 10 people killed when a small military plane crashed in a mountainous region in the north of the country, the president said yesterday.
'We will not take breaks, we will not stop to drink water'
Amazon workers in India claim they were forced to pledge to keep going till their targets were met during a 50C heatwave
Leader of centre-right party courts alliance with Le Pen
France's left-wing politicians focused on thwarting far right
Blinken says Gaza ceasefire rests on Hamas leadership
Secretary of state hails 'hopeful sign' as UN backs resolution
Hunter Biden found guilty in historic federal gun trial
President's son convicted on all charges and faces maximum sentence of 25 years behind bars and fines of up to $750,000