Son’s Spurs stuns Grealish City in Premier League opener
Jack Grealish debut ends in defeat following £100 million switch
Son Heung-Min solitary strike was enough for Nuno Espirito’s Tottenham Hotspur as they stunned Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in their Premier League opener at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions had no answers to a Tottenham Hotspur side who is under new management following the arrival of Nuno Espirito Santo from Wolves. And it was the debutant who led his side to stun last season Champions League finalist.
Nuno Espirito had no Harry Kane to call onto as the striker is still working to reach full fitness following a busy summer with England in the Euros. However, there was no lack of options in attack as Son Heung-Min led the Lilywhites to an opening day victory.
Following some early exchanges that produced a couple of chances for both sides, Gundonga was the only piece that was left unbeaten as a Lucas Moura shot snaked in towards goal after Ederson was completely beaten by Son’s free-kick. As City bossed possession, Spurs relied on counter-attacks and that caused problems for the Sky Blues in the first half though the half ended with neither side scoring.
Back from the break, the Lilywhites’ counter-attacks paid off early after just 10 minutes into the second half when Son received the ball on the right from Bergwijn who led Spurs charge upfield and lashed in a shot into the far bottom corner to open the scoring.
Bergwijn had the chance to increase the tally for Spurs when they embarked on another counter-attack five minutes after their opening goal but the 23-year-old Dutch international opted for the side net instead of goal when he was through in on goal.
Guardiola brought in Gabriel Jesus for Raheem Sterling with less than 20 minutes to play and soon followed that up with Kevin de Brunye and Oleksandr Zinchenko for Mahrez and Mendy respectively but none could save the champions from an opening day defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London.
Manchester City is up next against Norwich City at the Etihad on Saturday whereas Spurs will travel away to face Nuno Espirito’s former side, Wolves a day later.
By: Clifford Adumbire | myactiveonline.com
