Ange Postecoglou is talk of Premier League again after Tottenham blow up against Manchester City
Ange Postecoglou is the talk of the Premier League again after Tottenham stunned Manchester City in a thrilling 3-3 draw on Monday morning.
Dejan Kulusevski’s 90th minute equaliser earned Spurs a point at the Etihad Stadium — after a rare half time bake from the Australian manager turned the game on its head.
Tottenham players alluded to a fiery half time talk from Postecoglou after Spurs were outclassed in the first 45 minutes.
Postecoglou insisted he would not relent from his philosophy of relentless attacking football despite facing the might of City with a mounting injury crisis and earned his reward.
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Spurs captain Son Heung-min scored at both ends inside the opening 10 minutes. Phil Foden put City in front before half-time, but Giovani Lo Celso levelled 20 minutes from time.
Jack Grealish restored the home side’s lead once more, only for Kulusevski’s header to ensure City have now dropped points in five of their last eight league games.
The English and European champions drop to third in the table, three points behind leaders Arsenal.
A point lifts Tottenham into fifth and snaps a run of three consecutive defeats.
City manager Pep Guardiola heaped rare praise on Postecoglou after the match.
“We made an incredible performance in all departments, against a really good team and manager and how they play,” he said.
English football pundits all wanted to talk about Postcoglou after the game — particularly after players admitted Postecoglou had bristled during the break.
Tottenham winger Kulusevski told Sky Sports: “The coach was angry with us at half-time - he told us to just play”.
Postecoglou also made a light-hearted quip about his half time talk.
“There would probably only be a few words I can say,” he told Sky Sports when asked about his half time talk.
“Joking aside it was more trying to get the players to believe in themselves rather than anger at them. I’m always mindful that from where I am on the touchline it seems simple but out there against an unbelievable team it is difficult.
“It was a case of whatever happens I will take responsibility, particularly if it doesn’t go well. But just go out there and believe in yourselves.”
He went on to say: “It was an entertaining game, plenty in it. We were lucky to be in it by half-time, City could have blown us away in that period, a bit similar to what happened to us against Villa last week.
“We hung in there, second half were a lot better, a lot more control and a lot more belief in the team. We got our reward for that which is great for the lads.”
The manager’s move earned him praise after full time.
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher said: “Ange Postecoglou deserves credit, and not just today. The run they’ve been on, they’ve been very unlucky.
“I think Spurs have always been a top team in terms of trying to challenge for top four. I don’t think Spurs are going to be in any sort of title race or anything like that.
“The important thing is the manager said before the game that people were going to question their set-up today. It’s not about today, this is about the long-term in the next two or three years to make Spurs the real deal.
“He’s not going to change anything, he’s trying to instil something within the club. He got the payback in the second half.
“Son said the manager told them to play even more. They were a lot better in the second half.”
Roy Keane also noted Postecoglou’s influence.
“I’m impressed with the manager,” he said.
“His personality is helping with the club at the moment. His laid back approach is helping the players.
“Top four might be a bit of a stretch, but there’s big improvements at Spurs over the last few months.”
Spurs started for the second consecutive game without a recognised centre-back and they never looked capable of restricting City going forward.
Haaland missed what should have been a simple tap when he skewed wide after Tottenham coughed up possession inside their own box.
City should have had the game out of sight before half-time. Jeremy Doku smashed off the inside of the post before Alvarez also hit the woodwork from outside the box.
Haaland’s off day in front of goal went on as he blazed well over with another clear opening.
Tottenham’s determination to play out from the back looked to have cost them 10 minutes from time.
Rodri robbed Yves Bissouma and played in Haaland, who crossed for Grealish to tap home.
But the drama was far from over.
Kulusevski timed his run perfectly to head in Brennan Johnson’s cross. And City were incensed in stoppage time when referee Simon Hooper inexplicably stopped the game to award the home side a free-kick when Grealish was clean through on goal.
City’s punishment did not end there as yellow cards for Rodri and Grealish mean they will be suspended on Wednesday for a trip to an Aston Villa side that have won 13 consecutive home Premier League games.
— with AFP
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