Tottenham 0-1 Manchester City: Nathan Ake’s Goal Sends Guardiola’s Team to FA Cup Fifth Round

Manchester City secured a place in the FA Cup fifth round with a late winner from Nathan Ake against Tottenham. Despite having the better chances at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Pep Guardiola’s team faced an early setback when Oscar Bobb had a goal ruled out for offside. Julian Alvarez and Kevin De Bruyne also missed significant opportunities before Ake scored the decisive header in the 88th minute.

In the 88th minute, Nathan Ake scored a late winner, propelling Manchester City to a 1-0 victory over Tottenham and securing their spot in the FA Cup fifth round. This marked City’s first-ever goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, coming from their 102nd shot at the ground across all competitions. Despite Spurs’ claims that a foul on goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario should have invalidated the goal, VAR checks dismissed their appeals.

Manchester City, the reigning FA Cup champions, narrowly edged Friday’s match against Tottenham, securing a 1-0 victory with a late winner from Nathan Ake. Despite an early disallowed goal from Oscar Bobb and missed opportunities, City’s chances of defending the Treble remain intact, breaking a five-game losing streak against Spurs. On the other hand, Tottenham’s hopes of silverware in Ange Postecoglou’s debut season were dashed.

Bobb’s close-range tap-in within five minutes was ruled offside after VAR confirmed his position just beyond the line before connecting with a loose ball in the six-yard box. The game lacked goalmouth action until Micky Van de Ven’s superb block denied Julian Alvarez after the interval. Spurs forced a save from Stefan Ortega later, but the tide turned in City’s favor with the introduction of Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku.

In the 82nd minute, De Bruyne had a golden opportunity to put City ahead after a mistake from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg but missed the target. However, Nathan Ake emerged as an unlikely hero, poking in from point-blank range after Ruben Dias disrupted Vicario’s attempt to cleanly handle an incoming corner. This secured City’s place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

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DISCUSSION POINT – CITY ENDS SCORING DROUGHT

In a notable statistic, Manchester City had never found the net at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in five prior visits before Friday’s match. The streak seemed likely to persist, pointing towards a potential replay, until City’s persistent late pressure paid off. Ake’s goal marked City’s 18th shot in the game and their 102nd attempt at scoring at Spurs’ ground overall.

MAN OF THE MATCH – NATHAN AKE (MAN CITY)

Ake delivered another outstanding overall performance, showcasing confidence and composure in distributing the ball against Spurs’ high press. He exhibited equal determination and assertiveness in his defensive duties. Ake’s sharp reaction for the winning goal highlighted his consistency, making him one of City’s quietly reliable performers.

PLAYER RATINGS

Tottenham: Vicario 5, Porro 6, Romero 7, Van de Ven 8, Udogie 7, Hojbjerg 6, Bentancur 6, Johnson 7, Kulusevski 6, Werner 6, Richarlison 6. Subs: Maddison 5, Skipp 6, Scarlett 

Man City: Ortega 7, Walker 8, Dias 7, Ake 8*, Gvardiol 5, Silva 7, Rodri 7, Kovacic 6, Foden 7, Alvarez 5, Bobb 6. Subs: De Bruyne 6, Doku 6.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

5’ – Offside: Spurs 0-0 Man City: Bobb scores into an empty net after a pinball sequence in the Spurs area. However, celebrations are short-lived due to the offside flag. VAR checks the decision, and it appears close.

7’ – No goal! Spurs 0-0 Man City: After two minutes, the offside decision stands, with Bobb’s left boot deemed offside. An early relief for Tottenham!

48’ – Chance! Spurs 0-0 Man City: Astonishingly, it’s not 1-0 to Man City. Initially seeming like a terrible miss by Alvarez, it turns out to be brilliant defending from Van de Ven. Alvarez, set up by Bobb’s cross, prepares to strike, but Van de Ven’s lunge diverts it wide.

82’ – Miss! Spurs 0-0 Man City: How is it not 1-0 to City?! Hojbjerg’s mistake allows Foden to set up De Bruyne, who, with ample time, misses the target wide. Romero pressures him, but De Bruyne should have scored!

88’ – Goal! Spurs 0-1 Man City (Ake): City takes the lead! With their 101st attempt at this stadium, City finally scores! Ake pokes home after Vicario fails to reach a corner. Vicario claims a foul by Dias, but it looks soft. Will VAR intervene??

90’ – Goal stands! Spurs 0-1 Man City (Ake): The goal is confirmed! City leads, and at last, they have scored at this stadium.