BBC pundit says Tottenham weren’t the same without £22m player v Man City
Tottenham Hotspur were knocked out of the FA Cup at the fourth-round stage due to a 1-0 loss against Manchester City.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs , missing several key players due to international duty, missed out on arguably their best chance to seal silverware in 2023/24.
Nathan Ake tapped home in the 88th minute to earn Pep Guardiola’s side a first win at Tottenham’s new ground at the sixth attempt.
The goal proved controversial as Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario failed to hold on to the ball as Ruben Dias backed into him.
Despite the nature of City’s winner, Spurs struggled for much of the game and didn’t look like they could’ve done any more than force a replay.
Son Heung-min a big absence for Tottenham
BBC Sport pundit Clinton Morrison feels Tottenham simply weren’t the same without Son Heung-min in their ranks.
The 31-year-old is currently captaining South Korea at the Asian Cup, helping them to reach the knockout stages of the competition.
Son’s nation qualified in second place in their group and will now face Saudi Arabia on January 30 in the round of 16.
Tottenham didn’t look as sharp in attack in the £22million man’s absence, and Morrison, commentating on BBC Radio 5 Live, noticed reckons Son’s absence played a role.
“Watching Tottenham today, they have missed Son badly,” he said – via BBC Sport – shortly after City had opened the scoring against Spurs.
Son Heung-min one of three key Tottenham players away on international duty
As well as Son, two other key players for Tottenham are currently away on international duty – Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr.
Both are at the Africa Cup of Nations, and both are set to compete in the last 16 of the competition after finishing top of their respective groups.
While it’s good to see Tottenham’s stars doing well for their countries, it’s still a big blow for Spurs, who perhaps could’ve fared better against Man City had they been at full strength.
