Event of the Day: Manchester City versus Tottenham Hotspur
Our event of the day is the Champions League fixture between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. Spurs hold a 1-0 lead after the first leg, thanks to a sensational goal by Son Heung-min. This means that the fate of Manchester City’s hunt for the quadruple hangs in the balance as they look to bounce back. While Manchester City last made the semifinals in 2016, it has been over fifty years since Spurs’ last semi-final. Be sure you don’t miss this exciting second leg between two teams hungry for success. Of the thirty-two teams who have trailed 1-0 after the first leg of a Champions League fixture played away from home, ten have progressed in the competition after the second leg. However, as the two British teams meet in Manchester, everything is pulling in Manchester City’s favour to become the 11th team to do so. The last time Spurs won 1-0 at home in the first leg of a European fixture, a 1999 UEFA Cup second round fixture against Kaiserslautern, they went on to leave the competition after a 2-0 loss in the second leg. Furthermore, at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City has lost only one of their last eight matches against Spurs. Despite that, City’s quest for the quadruple hangs in the balance. Their loss in the first leg snapped a 14-game winning streak for the defending Premier League champions. Their history in Europe is a relatively contemporary one, matching their recent rise to dominance. Their sole semi-final appearance came in 2016, where they lost 1-0 to eventual champions Real Madrid. If they overcome the deficit and progress tonight, they will meet Ajax in the semifinals for a place in the final in Madrid.
However, Spurs still stand in the way of Manchester City and will provide a major obstacle. All eyes will be on Son Heung-min, the South Korean who has stolen the hearts of north London. Son has been at Spurs since 2015 and is the team’s second top-scorer this season with twelve goals. However, he had not scored a goal in a European tournament until a truly amazing game-winner in front of the home crowd at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. After failing to get a good first touch on a perfect aerial through ball from Christian Eriksen, Son prevented the ball from rolling out of play before pulling back into the crowded penalty area, finding room and slotting it under the falling Ederson. Harry Kane limped off the pitch twenty minutes or so before Son’s goal meaning Spurs will be without their stalwart veteran tonight and will have to once again rely on Son as well as Lucas Moura, who was a hat-trick hero at the weekend in a 4-0 win for Spurs over Huddersfield. Spurs last made the Champions League semifinals in 1962, where they lost to eventual champions Benfica. With such a long drought, Spurs will do everything to take this prime opportunity to progress. Don’t miss what will surely be a match to remember.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NHL, where the Colorado Avalanche host the Calgary Flames at the Pepsi Center for game four of their first round playoff series. The Avalanche hold a 2-1 lead after winning back to back games. The Flames posted a dominant 4-0 win in game one but the Avalanche bounced back, taking a close game two before breaking out with a 6-2 win in game three. If the Avalanche can win tonight, that means that they will only be a game away from progressing to the next round as they travel to Calgary for game five on Friday. You won’t want to miss this exciting matchup. Elsewhere, on the LPGA Tour, the LOTTE Championship starts at the Ko Olina Golf Club in Kapolei, Hawaii. In the NBA playoffs, the Houston Rockets host the Utah Jazz at the Toyota Center in Houston. In cricket, the Royal London One-Day Cup takes place. In the ATP World Tour, the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters continues at the Monte Carlo Country Club.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by Manchester City; Tottenham Hotspur