Match Day Thread Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City

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Sunday 2nd February 4.30pm
Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium​

The Southampton match was something of an improvement in terms of performance, if not in the result.
We wasted a ton of chances and were forced into a replay, as the home team brought on attacking subs.
This match separates the two games and it's fair to say that we could've asked for an easier fixture.
Having said that, City had a tricky midweek game that they just about negotiated, so perhaps it's good timing?
Can Mourinho take anything from his old La Liga mate Guardiola or will we struggle, again?

City's season has been something of a comedown from the last campaign, despite their cup progress.
The league has basically gone to Liverpool and their form has made that fairly inevitable.
The defending champions have looked far more vulnerable this time out, though.
Failure to replace Kompany and a couple of untimely injuries has left them way off the pace.
They've still looked far better than virtually everyone else though, of course.

The Champions League is probably their main focus now, but they've still got the domestic cups to go for.
They're in the final of the league cup and favourable draws make their progress in the FA Cup quite predictable.
How this year is regarded may well depend on one competition.
They may mean a lot to most fans, but the cups don't mean much to the all-conquering manager.
They're the cherry on top of the league and European silverware. He needs to win one or the other.

This fixture in the last campaign was one of our less impressive early season efforts.
An early Trippier mistake was seized upon by Sterling and Mahrez put away his cross to take the lead.
Both sides struggled with an NFL-scarred Wembley surface and it took a real toll on the match.
Chances were wasted at both ends, but the visitors were quite comfortable until late on.
Erik Lamela looked odds-on to equalise at the death, but a bobble turned his finish into a massive slice:

The game at the Etihad earlier this season was a fairly poor performance, but not a bad result.
It's remembered more for the VAR controversy though, which we've all become wearily used to.
City dominated early on and it was no surprise when Sterling gave them the lead.
Lamela's equaliser minutes later was both a shock and a great strike, but Aguero put them ahead before the break.
Moura headed home from a corner to level again, but a late winner was ruled out for handball for City:

Kane, Sissoko and Davies are all still out, but there's no new injury news.
Sane is a long-term absentee for City, while Mendy, Laporte and Fernandinho will be tested late.
Neither side has any suspensions.

Lineups for each side's last league game:

Spurs: Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Sessegnon; Lo Celso, Winks; Lamela, Alli, Son; Moura.
Subs: Gazzaniga, Sanchez, Tanganga, Dier, Fernandes, Ndombele, Eriksen.
League form: WDLLDW.

City: Ederson; Fernandinho, Laporte, Otamendi; Walker, De Bruyne, Rodri, Zinchenko; Mahrez, Sterling; Jesus.
Subs: Bravo, Cancelo, Garcia, Foden, Gundogan, B. Silva, Aguero.
League form: LWWWDW.

Ref: Mike "You Know What You Are" Dean. VAR: Kevin Friend.

TV: Sky Sports.

How would you like to line up for this one and what would you change from the Southampton game?
Would you stick with much of the same lineup, make a few changes or go for a wholesale switch?
Which system and tactics would you use and what are you expecting City to go with?

 

Paul Stewart

Smashed it again

 

Unsure about the formation but I’m just looking forward to a debut day goal from our new striker.

 

Spurs 5, Citeh 4 deli, sonny, Lucas x 2, the new dutch guy, Bergwin whatever his name is.

 

Wrong thread, but I'll be watching that

 

Just a note, the Brits being brought back from the Wuhan province are all being dumped in Arrow Park hospital on the Wirral (because of course the Tory bastards wouldn't have them quarantined in Berkshire or Bedfordshire...)

Just another note, Mike "****" Dean is from the Wirral...

 

city thought they won it
but Tottenham pulled it back
Wanyama down the middle
To Llorente in attack
When Stirling scored the winner
The Etihad went mad
The ref went to the camera
And it was disallowed
ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ
ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ
ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ
ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ

 

That's the best game I've ever witnessed as a neutral. Really thrilling.
Kinda neutral.

 

Belting that out until I couldn’t speak under the South Stand at the Lane before watching the final there will remain a treasured memory, even though the final itself was a disappointment. As will the whole CL campaign to be honest.

 

COYS

 

Do you honestly think you can still be caught?

 

No mate it was in the bag after the lestah game for me. Im just hoping you can help us get it quicker

 

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?

 

Devon Loch.
There's always hope....

 

There really isnt.

Mourhinos boys can do us a favour no worries, plus he'll not want to lose against pep.

Just hope the decent spurs turn up.

 

Foinavon now there's how Spurs can win.

 

Spurs have been Shergar for most of this season.

MIA

 

What missing?