Inexperienced decisions from Mason contributed to Tottenham loss

Tottenham Hotspur's interim head coach Ryan Mason walks to his seat ahead of the English League Cup final football match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium, northwest London on April 25, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by CARL RECINE / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by CARL RECINE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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The script to Ryan Mason’s fairytale start as Tottenham manager took a sour turn, punctuated by the gaffer’s inexperienced decision to introduce Moussa Sissoko.

While a rash of errors led to Manchester City’s winner, Sissoko was most culpable for his lacklustre attempt to mark Laporte on the 82nd minute corner. Brought on to inject power and guile in the heart of midfield, Sissoko failed to fulfil one of his core strengths, man marking an opposing big man from a dead ball situation.

Sissoko should have never been introduced in the first place. One of Tottenham’s most disappointing players of the season, The Frenchman has endured a number of comically poor displays, a few of which occurring in the Europa League.

And worst of all, he made his young, inexperienced manager look particularly bad. Mason put his faith in Sissoko, who repaid him by handing City the trophy.

It was a hard lesson for Mason to learn, especially considering the consequence of the decision, one he won’t soon forget.

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