Tottenham Hotspur lack will v Manchester City in 1-0 Cup Final loss

The record books will reflect a close 1-goal final for Manchester City but for Tottenham Hotspur fans, it was just another disappointing performance. With everything on the line Spurs simply did not have the will to push a City team that was just waiting for one moment. As has been the case all season City stepped up at the moment and Tottenham wilted away.

Hugo Lloris saved Tottenham real blushes

Aymeric Laporte scored the only goal but there is no doubt that the player of the game was Hugo Lloris. Hugo Lloris was alert and active in the goal today, coming off his line and making several big saves which kept Tottenham in the match. This is nothing new, as it was Hugo Lloris producing big saves midweek, which gave Tottenham a chance in the second half.

Again in their most important game of the season, Hugo Lloris was keeping Spurs in the match. Just before the stroke of half-time, it was a strong hand from Lloris against Joao Cancelo which prevented the goals just before the half.

It was a Chelsea goal just before the half that derailed the Lilywhites in their last League Cup Final. On Sunday, Hugo Lloris was making the plays to give Tottenham a chance. Even as the game wore on, it was Lloris making saves that kept Spurs hanging on. Another big hand prevented a Riyad Mahrez curler and a nice reaction stopped Fernandino header at the back post.

Despite Lloris’ big day no other Tottenham player stepped up

Tottenham was set up from the off to absorb with a very narrow 4-3-3 formation. The first half truly was a giveaway for the Lilywhites. Spurs had less than 38% possession and managed only 1 shot compared to City’s 10.

With Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Giovani Lo Celso as the two midfielders on either side of Harry Winks, Tottenham was far too narrow defensively. This left both Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo under no pressure allowing City an easy out at any time they wanted it. Add in the fouls that City committed when the Spurs tried to counter and they simply could not get going.

Tottenham gave us 15 Good Minutes

Tottenham did look like a team going for it coming out after the half. For the first 15 minutes of the second half, the Spurs were fighting toe-to-toe with Manchester City. From the 45th minute until the 60th minute Tottenham managed nearly 48% of possession according to whoscored.com. It was these 15 minutes that teased the fans into thinking something more could happen.

However, in the last 30 minutes of the match, it was clear the Sky Blues had absorbed the meek Spurs counterpunch and began turning the screws. As Tottenham managed only 35% possession over those last 30 minutes, City outshot Spurs 9-0. Eventually, a poor foul near the corner by Serge Aurier led to a De Bruyne cross and Laporte’s header over substitute Moussa Sissoko.

Tottenham didn’t even push after the goal

Maybe the most damning part of the entire day was that after the goal, Tottenham Hotspur simply quit. In most matches with the game is 1-0 over the final minutes things get frantic. If we think about the team that was charging in the final minutes in Amsterdam three years ago, that same drive, determination, and belief simply were not there.

When you see lifelong Spurs like Harry Winks jogging to apply pressure in the closing minutes, you know the team has no chance. The 15 minutes were enough to tease the fans, the other 75 minutes told a more damning story as the team simply did not compete enough to win the trophy.

As Heung-Min Son was shown on the pitch crying, one cannot help but wonder what would have been if he and his mates shown as much emotion and care during the game.