In the round of 16 of the League Cup, Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester City. Werner put the Spurs on the road to victory with his first goal of the season.
With a 0-1 away defeat last weekend, Spurs had involuntarily ended Crystal Palace’s winless streak. As a result, coach Ange Postecoglou made five changes to his starting lineup, including former Leipzig striker Werner in attack. However, after just 14 minutes, the Australian had to make his first change when van de Ven was unable to continue due to pain in his right thigh.
Werner, on the other hand, was not to make his coach regret the decision to select him for the starting XI, scoring the opening goal after just five minutes. The forward netted with a powerful first-time shot after being set up by Kulusevski, who had entered the final third from the right wing and crossed flatly into the center. It was also the first goal of the season for the 28-year-old.
Haaland only spectator – Matheus Nunes counters Sarr
The visitors, who made five changes to the side that beat Southampton 1-0, with substitute keeper Ortega Moreno starting in goal, were missing the finishing skills of goalscorer Haaland, who spent the entire 90 minutes on the bench. For a long time, the Citizens were unable to convert their large possession advantage into goals.
Instead, it was the home side again who were able to get the ball into the opposing net in the 25th minute. After a short corner, Sarr shot from the second row and placed the ball precisely next to the inside post into the short corner. Ortega Moreno was actually well positioned but still could not prevent the impact.
But the reigning champions did not give up and scored again before half-time. Savinho served Matheus Nunes at the second post, who expertly equalized with a volley from close range (45+4).
Akanji injured, Savinho forced off injured
As promising as the first half had ended from City’s point of view, the second half was disappointing. After Akanji had already been replaced from the starting lineup due to calf problems while warming up before the kick-off, Savinho had to leave the field on a stretcher in the 63rd minute.
While current league leaders Manchester City made a late substitution with center-back homegrown Simpson-Pusey, Pep Guardiola’s men ultimately had to admit defeat. Even a late shot from O’Reilly did not lead to the equalizer, which the blocking Bissouma decisively prevented (88′).
After being knocked out in the third round last year (0-1 in Newcastle), the Citizens, who are playing in Bournemouth on Saturday (4 p.m.), were once again eliminated from the competition early on. Tottenham, on the other hand, can continue to dream of the title – and will host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday (3 p.m.). In the League Cup quarterfinals, Spurs will then face Manchester United at home.