Opinion: My first away day at Tottenham’s remarkable 3-2 win over Man City

Going into last weekend Tottenham had lost their past three league games, failing to pick up points against Chelsea, Southampton and Wolves. With Spurs in a top-four battle, the side wasn’t in the most ideal situation as they faced top-of-the-league Manchester City on Saturday. You could take my aspirations as naïve loyalty, but I was […]

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Going into last weekend Tottenham had lost their past three league games, failing to pick up points against Chelsea, Southampton and Wolves.

With Spurs in a top-four battle, the side wasn’t in the most ideal situation as they faced top-of-the-league Manchester City on Saturday.

You could take my aspirations as naïve loyalty, but I was travelling to the game and excited to experience my first away day.

My friends and I arrived in Manchester at midday, where we checked into our hotel, grabbed some food and then headed to the pub a few hours before kick-off.

Although we were excited for the game, we weren’t hopeful for a ‘result’, but that quickly changed upon entering the pub.

We walked into songs ringing around the place, most notably the chant about Tottenham’s dramatic Champions League win over City in 2019.

Talking to other fans and discussing our good record against the Citizens, we all felt enthused and agreed we had a chance.

After a while, we left the pub and walked with buoyant energy to the Etihad, alongside the other Spurs supporters.

Our continued chants travelled through the streets of Manchester, all proud to be together away from home- the usual sense of belonging that I know from White Hart Lane intensified ten-fold.

As we reached the stadium and got to our seats, we looked out to a full Etihad and the players walking on the pitch.

With a sense of excitement and anticipation, the support from the 3,000 Tottenham fans was electric from the first minute, more than challenging the noise of the City supporters.

This was further amplified when a perfect first-time pass from Harry Kane put Heung-min Son behind the City line, who passed to Dejan Kulusevski to make it 0-1 in the first five minutes.

While Spurs defended their lead in front of the roaring away fans, City eventually levelled in the 33^rd minute when Ilkay Gundogan finished a spilt ball from captain Hugo Lloris.

While most fans would have taken a draw before kick-off, the attitude in the concourse was that, minus Lloris’ mistake, Tottenham should still be winning at half-time.

Antonio Conte’s side started the second-half the better team, and their efforts were rewarded as Son played a beautiful ball to an unmarked Kane, who poked it in the top corner to make it 1-2 with 30 minutes left.

The away section erupted once more as we truly started to believe we could take all three points.

The team fed off the elation of the fans, creating a number of other good opportunities- Kane failed to convert on a one-on-one with Ederson and the striker also had a goal ruled out after it was disallowed for offside.

After almost a perfect second half, Cristian Romero caught the ball on his hand as he tried to defend a Bernardo Silva strike in the 92^nd minute.

VAR awarded the penalty and Riyad Mahrez stepped up to the spot, hammering the ball into the top-right corner to make it 2-2.

Standing on the other side of the Etihad, it was a truly horrible sight to see. The away fans immediately became dejected, and the City fans quite the opposite- the anxiety from the Spurs horde was palpable.

When at the pub before the game, talking about our chances of winning, my friend said ‘It’s the hope that kills you’. His words couldn’t have been more true at that point. However, it can also be the hope that makes you.

While we as fans went quiet, our team rushed the ball to the centre-spot and quickly looked to play with another eight minutes left.

Since supporting Spurs as a boy, I’ve never considered Tottenham to be a team that scores last-minute winners.

But there I was, at the flood-lit Etihad, all my senses buzzing as I watched Kulusevski float the ball to Kane who leapt over former Spurs defender, Kyle Walker, and headed it into the back of the net in 95^th minute.

Kane and the rest of the team celebrated in front of the fans, while Conte hurdled himself into his staff. My friends and I jumped all over each other- I don’t think we really stopped celebrating until the final whistle blew and the game ended 2-3.

Handing City their first home loss of the season saw the home fans empty very quickly, while we filled the stadium with chants of ‘Harry Kane, he’s one of our own’ for the next 20 minutes.

From leaving our seats, walking with the fans and getting back to our hotel, we never stop singing, dancing and celebrating the victory through Manchester.

It was a surreal moment and one that almost became a blur as pure euphoria took over.

The result sees Tottenham become just the fourth club to do the season double over Guardiola since his time at Barcelona (Football Today).

Kane was a man possessed, reminding everyone how truly remarkable he is. Son was also brilliant, while a returning Eric Dier showed how important he is to our defence.

The win has come at an important time, ending our bad form and inspiring our side in the battle for the top four.

Kane’s 95th-minute goal is the team’s third last-minute winner of the season, showing we are becoming a side that can fight for three points under Conte (Sports Mole).

A truly special moment and one I will never forget- my first away day. Remember Spurs fans…it’s the hope that makes you.

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