Manchester City secured a late victory against Tottenham Hotspur in an FA Cup fourth-round tie, with Nathan Ake scoring the game’s only goal in the final minutes.
Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario failed to hold onto Kevin de Bruyne’s corner, leading to Ake’s goal.
The match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was dominated by City, but missed several chances throughout the game.
Spurs were on the defensive for most of the game and offered little in the way of attacking threats.
City had a goal by Oscar Bobb disallowed for offside and Vicario saved a shot from Bernardo Silva. De Bruyne also missed a significant opportunity. The game seemed headed for a replay until Ake’s goal near the end, sparking celebrations among the 9,000 City fans in attendance in North London.
City, who had arrived at the stadium just 70 minutes before kickoff due to traffic, finally broke their streak of defeats at the venue. The win is significant for City as they continue to compete in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League, especially with striker Erling Haaland’s return on the horizon.
Tottenham, under manager Ange Postecoglou, faced disappointment, narrowly missing a replay in a match where they were largely outplayed. Their defensive approach almost earned them a draw, but City’s late goal denied them the chance. The absence of Son Heung-min, away at the Asian Cup, was felt as Spurs failed to score, ending a 35-game scoring streak.
Defender Micky van de Ven and Vicario were noted for their performances, despite the late goal concession.
Spurs will now focus on their Premier League campaign, where they are currently fifth. The return of James Maddison from injury is a positive note for them, but the loss in the FA Cup remains a significant blow.
City now progress to the FA Cup fifth round.
