Pep Guardiola admitted that he cannot have too many complaints about what his players did for Tottenham’s 90th-minute equaliser, remarking that Brennan Johnson’s cross was difficult to defeat.
Spurs have been the bogey team for Guardiola’s City side ever since the Spaniard arrived in Manchester back in 2016.
The Lilywhites have broken City hearts at the Etihad in the final stages of matches on a couple of occasions, including the infamous Champions League quarterfinal back in 2019 and the 3-2 win at the Etihad under Antonio Conte almost two years ago.
History repeated itself on Sunday as Spurs refused to lie down, and fought back to level twice in the second half through Giovani Lo Celso and Kulusevski.
The latter’s winner came in the final minute of normal time, with Johnson delivering a dangerous ball from the left, with the Swede outmuscling Nathan Ake at the far-post to send the ball into the top corner, with Ederson rooted to his spot.
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Brennan Johnson impressed Pep with his attack
Guardiola told City’s official channel about Tottenham’s equaliser: “It was a good action. Johnson made a good action, made a good delivery for a full-back on the opposite side it is so difficult to defend this action.
“Kulusevski attacked the ball and the second ball they made good high pressing, Julian [Alvarez] should keep the ball and instead pass to Erling [Haaland], but it doesn’t happen.”
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It would have been easy for the players to lose their heads after the first half, with City all over us like a rash. Their heads could have also dropped after Yves Bissouma’s mistake, which led to Jack Grealish’s 81st-minute goal.
Instead, the Tottenham players kept believing and going at the home side until the end and got just rewards for their bravery and character.
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