Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League hopes ended on Tuesday night when they were beaten by Manchester City.
There was an odd feeling going into this game, an odd atmosphere during the match and the same type of reaction post-match.
On one hand, Tottenham wanted the three points, it would have kept up their hopes of finishing fourth, but the fans knew that it would also hand the advantage to Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
That’s why there were chants of ‘Are you watching Arsenal?’ when Erling Haaland opened the scoring at the start of the second half – and those chants were heard again and again throughout the game.
Spurs allowed Phil Foden to run with the ball on the left channel, with Rodrigo Bentancur chasing him on a yellow card and unable to make a tackle, Cristian Romero wasn’t far behind either and he didn’t stop the ball from being switched to the other flank.
That’s where one of the Premier League’s great midfielders Kevin de Bruyne did what he does best and fed the ball across the box for Haaland to score his 27th Premier League goal of the season.
Michael Owen was critical of Romero and the role he played in that goal by claiming that he was ’soft’ in allowing Foden to run past him, as he told Premier League Productions (14/05/24 at 22:20 pm).
The World Cup winner is known for his combative style, his no-nonsense ways and, at times, his habit of going over the top in challenges.
But Owen couldn’t believe how he just allowed Foden to dance past him and help create Manchester City’s opening goal.
Cristian Romero against Manchester City
“It’s good play by Foden down the left-hand side,” said Owen. “We mentioned before half-time that they were doubling up on the right-hand side and de Bruyne makes a great run.
“I thought Romero was soft here and I never thought I would say that about him. He could easily have smashed Phil Foden there and stuffed out the danger.”
Tottenham Hotspur miss out on Champions League football
Spurs now just need a point away at Sheffield United on the final day of the season to all but confirm fifth spot.
On a number of occasions this term, it felt like they were going to beat Aston Villa to fourth – remember, they beat Villa in their own backyard 4-0 in March.
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And even though Unai Emery’s side had Europe to contend with, they still ensured that Champions League football is coming to Villa Park next season.
Tottenham should get Europa League football, but they need to bulk up that squad because they will struggle with those extra games next season.