Spurs went through on away goals after 4-4 draw on aggregate
Thursday 18 April 2019 06:10, UK
Who impressed as Tottenham eliminated Manchester City on a crazy night in the Champions League? We assess the performances.
Has been so assured this season but was guilty of going down too quickly for the first goal, and saw the ball agonisingly ricochet off his leg when Heung-Min Son had struck it straight at him. Didn't have much to do and yet conceded three goals.
Up against his former club, he was the pick of the full-backs on show. His decision-making wasn't always as it should have been but he got forward well in support and was always an outlet for City.
After being left on the bench for the first leg, City turned to their captain for the big occasion and he delivered a couple of crunching challenges early on. A presence even amid the defensive carnage around him. Devastated at the end.
City's best defender this season but in an unforgettable first 15 minutes, he produced a performance to forget, gifting the ball to Son for Spurs' equaliser. Seemed to knock him out of his stride as his distribution fell below his usual levels.
Given back-to-back starts for the first time since October, he was making only his second Champions League start of the season and it was a struggle. There were sloppy passes, poor touches, and needless fouls. Not an effort to inspire confidence.
Had a pivotal role to play with Fernandinho on the bench and while his distribution was slick, City supporters might be wondering whether more protection was needed on the night, given how vulnerable their chances of progress were to an away goal or three.
Got forward plenty in the first half and caused problems for Tottenham by talking up those pockets of space in that left channel, as the defenders were uncertain whether to come inside to deal with him or stay close to Raheem Sterling out wide. Subbed for Fernandinho.
Missed the previous two games but returned to the team with a typically effervescent display. As well as scoring City's equaliser on the night, he was full of energy and quality throughout. Has been a big player all season and this was a big performance to match.
Superb. Restored to the team after being surprisingly omitted from the starting line-up for the first leg, he found plenty of joy pulling out to the right flank in search of space and provided two assists in that crazy opening to the contest and a brilliant third on the hour. Did not deserve to go out.
Scored two on Sunday against Crystal Palace and matched that again here. The second goal was a trademark finish at the far post but it was his first, cutting inside to whip the ball into the corner, that sums up just how much he has developed his game. Denied the moment he deserved because of an offside call in stoppage time.
City's record scorer saw his penalty saved in the first leg so will have been anxious to make up for that in front of his adoring fans. Was involved in the early onslaught but didn't get to apply the finishing touch - that came later, when he put City ahead in the tie for the first time just before the hour. Offside in the build-up to what would have been the stoppage-time winner.
Came on for Silva in an attempt to stop the Spurs counter-attacks, and put himself about with typical gusto. The needs of the game changed soon after he came on though.
Has so often made the difference for City but barely had any time to do so here, coming on for Mendy in the 83rd minute. Should he have come on earlier?
Should have come into this one full of confidence following his penalty save in the first leg but the captain has had his moments in big games and City's second goal can be added to that list as he allowed Bernardo Silva's stoppable shot to squirm underneath him. Ultimately though, he came out a winner.
The full-back's form has been questioned all season and that won't stop after this performance under pressure. Gave Sterling too much space for his first goal and then got caught out of position for his second too. It was a real struggle for him.
Among the best defenders in the Premier League but he got a stern examination here. Spurs were up against it and as disorganised as they were for an hour, he and they deserve credit for keeping City out for the final half-hour of the game.
The senior man in the Spurs defence must have felt powerless as the attacks came towards him wave after wave. Came up with a strong challenge on the edge of the box that angered the home fans and was given a torrid time by Aguero. Could be seen imploring his team to push up late on.
Playing in a flat back-four meant greater defensive responsibility and it was a challenging task too. Bernardo had the pace to beat him and the runners around him too with De Bruyne, in particular, drifting to that flank to double up on the full-back. Moved to left wing before being taken off.
Given back-to-back starts for the first time this season to bring more control in midfield, but there wasn't much of that on show in a manic match. He did what he could to calm things down, but was up against it on an evening like this. Some strong tackles - and fouls - in the second half.
Supporters are now embracing the energy that he brings to this Tottenham team and he has completely turned his career around, but was robbed of the chance to see the job through at the Etihad Stadium. A groin injury ended his evening before the break.
Playing with a broken hand, he really struggled to get into the game for an hour before beginning to have more influence as others tired. Played a big part in getting Spurs up the pitch in the closing stages, while getting through plenty of work defensively.
There to provide the creative spark for Spurs, and did so. Came up with an assist as the visitors stunned City early on and then produced the cross for the goal that put Spurs through. Had lots of chasing to do and could have been made to rue the pass that appeared to have put Aguero through to win it for City.
The hero of the first leg played a starring role in the second too, when he scored twice to very briefly put his side 3-1 up on aggregate. Almost got through for the hat-trick in the second half too, but his chief role after the interval was working back and running City ragged when he could get them going the other way. What an effort from him.
The hat-trick hero against Huddersfield came into this one full of confidence and troubled City with his purposeful running in the early exchanges. With Spurs forced to do much of their work without the ball, he was later withdrawn in favour of Ben Davies as Mauricio Pochettino looked to hold on.
Came on for the injured Sissoko in the first half and proved to be the tie-winner for Tottenham, as he forced the ball home from a corner. Emotional scenes ensued and he deserved the moment. Not everyone has had faith in the tall striker but he stepped up when needed here, on an occasion no Spurs supporter will ever forget.
Came on for Lucas in a move that saw the tiring Rose push forwards.
Introduced in an effort to calm things down - a forlorn hope on a night like this.
