Three takeaways from the Spurs v Man City game
LONDON – Tottenham beat Manchester City 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final to seize the initiative in the all-English tie on Tuesday.
Son Heung-min scored the winner in the 78th minute against a City side who failed to hit their usual heights but an injury to Harry Kane will haunt Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino as the season edges towards its climax.
AFP Sports looks at three things we learned from the match on Tuesday.
Kane's season at risk
Harry Kane was replaced by Lucas Moura shortly before the hour mark after apparently turning his ankle in a coming-together with City's Fabian Delph.
Kane, who has a history of ankle problems, had to be helped down the tunnel and Pochettino suggested the outlook was gloomy.
“We need to check tomorrow but it looks like it is the same ankle and similar injury,” he told BT Sport. “It is very sad and very disappointing. We are going to miss him - maybe for the rest of the season.
“It is a worry for us. We hope it is not a big issue. But there is not too much time to recover. He twisted his ankle so we will see how it reacts in a few hours.”
Tottenham's top scorer injured ligaments in his left ankle during the Premier League defeat against Manchester United on January 13 and only returned in late February after missing seven matches.
His loss would be a huge blow as Spurs attempt to make progress in the Champions League and target a top-four Premier League finish.
England boss Gareth Southgate will also be concerned that he will be missing his captain with the Nations League Finals looming in June.
Harry Kane in action with Manchester City's Fabian Delph as he sustains an injury. Photo: Reuters/Paul Childs
Son's stadium love affair
South Korean forward Son Heung-min has taken an immediate liking to Tottenham's new home, scoring in both matches following its grand opening last week.
Son scored the first goal at the gleaming Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a crucial Premier League win against Crystal Palace last week and repeated the trick on Tuesday.
He fired a powerful shot under Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson late in the game to make it two wins from two in the north London club's new home.
“I like this stadium, it is amazing to play here. I am grateful for the opportunity to play at this stadium,” he told BT Sport.
Son stepped up admirably when Kane was injured earlier this year and it looks as though he will be called on to repeat his heroics in the frantic final few weeks of the season.
Tottenham's Son Heung-min celebrates after the match. Photo: Reuters/Paul Childs
Handle with care
Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris saved Sergio Aguero's early penalty after Danny Rose was adjudged to have handled Raheem Sterling's shot in an incident that highlighted the new, tougher interpretation of the handball law by referees.
Tottenham appeared to have snuffed out the imminent danger but referee Bjorn Kuipers pointed to the spot after a VAR review.
France World Cup winner Lloris dived to his left to deny Aguero, making his third penalty save for Spurs in 2019.
The incident was similar to one that saw Manchester United through to the quarters, when a stoppage time spot-kick awarded against Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe allowed Marcus Rashford to shoot United to a dramatic victory on away goals.
UEFA referees' chief Roberto Rosetti has advised officials “if the defender is making the body bigger to block the ball, it is not fair”.
A UEFA statement after the Paris incident said: “The defender's arm was not close to the body, which made the defender's body bigger, thus resulting in the ball being stopped from travelling in the direction of the goal. The referee, therefore, awarded a penalty kick.”
Controversies will continue but players and fans have no choice but to adjust.