Event of the Day: Manchester City versus Tottenham Hotspur
Our event of the day is the Premier League fixture between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. The two teams meet after an incredibly memorable match in the Champions League earlier in the week. Spurs brought City’s quest for the quadruple to an end in a thrilling match that saw the London team go through on away goals after a seven-goal game. Now City turns their focus to the league. With everything to play for, this is a match you won’t to miss. There will be no love lost between these two sides when they meet in Manchester this lunchtime. This crucial Premier League match comes three days after the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final. The match was a tense back-and-forth affair, but City took a 4-2 lead in the 58th minute, meaning they led on 4-3 on aggregate.
However, things changed after a 73rd minute deflection off Fernando Llorente put Spurs back in control on away goals. That was until a poor clearance dropped the ball in front of Sergio Agüero in the 93rd minute. After a little header to push the ball into the box, Agüero put the ball across to an open Raheem Sterling, who slotted it past Hugo Lloris to put City back on top. The Etihad erupted, Pep Guardiola was jumping for joy and it looked like City were about to pull off a comeback to remember. Then the call came down to Cüneyt Çakir, the chief official. Agüero was ruled offside and the subsequent goal disallowed. The sound died in the stadium as City deflated, crushed beyond belief. Ninety seconds later, the final whistle blew and Manchester City was officially eliminated from the Champions League, ending their hopes of completing the quadruple. However, they can still complete the treble. Having already won the Caraboa Cup and set to play Watford in the FA Cup final. They will become the first English team to complete the domestic treble since Arsenal Ladies in 2007 if they can manage it. However, albeit with a game in hand, Manchester City find themselves two points behind current league leaders Liverpool. City are on a nine-game winning streak in the league and look to make it ten. Meanwhile Spurs, who are currently third, bounced back from a two-game losing streak to win their last two league matches. This match is going to tense, hard-fought and without mercy. It’s one that you won’t want to miss.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NHL. The St Louis Blues host the Winnipeg Jets at Scottrade Center for game six of their first round playoff series. The Blues, who lead the series 3-2, are one win away from progressing to the second round. This is despite the Blues squandering a 2-0 lead in the series. Meanwhile, the Jets will aim to even the series and force a game seven. Be sure you don’t miss the exciting, high quality hockey on display tonight. Elsewhere, in the AFL, Melbourne host St Kilda at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In the MLB, the Tampa Bay Rays look to continue their hot start to the season as they host the struggling Boston Red Sox to Tropicana Field. In boxing, Amir Khan fights Terence Crawford for the WBO World Welterweight Title at Madison Square Garden in New York. In the European Rugby Champions Cup, Saracens host Munster at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry for their semi-final match.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by Manchester City; Tottenham Hotspur