Photos: Man City 0-1 Tottenham – Spurs Qualify For Champions League

By Ollie Irish

Arabs 0-1 Yids (had to say it)

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Tottenham Hotspur's starting line up form a group huddle prior to kick off

Some excited Tweets of mine last night:

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh SHIT THE BED!

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crouchy!!!!!!! Get in!!!!!!!!!!!! Totally deserved too

King and Dawson MUST be back up to Ferdinand and Terry in South Africa. I would say that, I suppose.

It was tense – more tense than a big campsite. But in the end, Spurs, who have a brilliant record at City, were good value for their win.

I thought Ledley King and Michael Dawson were immense for the visitors, and, as I Tweeted last night, both must go to South Africa. Tottenam’s full-backs, Younes Kaboul (in an unfamiliar role) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto, were also excellent. Luka Modric and Tom Huddlestone – I would also take the much-improved Hudd to the World Cup – did a fine job in midfield, whilst Gareth Bale was energy incarnate on the left flank.

Aaron Lennon is clearly not 100% match-fit, and Jermain Defoe looks short of form, but overall Spurs were much better – especially in the second half – than a lukewarm City side. After several near misses, Crouchinho got his goal – his committed display merited one goal at least.

What an absorbing match it was though, more like a playoff than a league match. I know it’s easy for Gooners and Man Utd fans to scoff at the likes of Spurs and City for placing so much importance on fourth place, but a spot in the Champions League is not to be sniffed at. And of course, Spurs can still claim third place from Arsenal (!), although it’s very unlikely.

As for City, it’s been a decent season and surely the only way is up for a club with so much cash in its account. Looks like Roberto Mancini has been backed by the board, and I hope he stays. Mark Hughes should never have been sacked in the first place, mind, but there’s no point in sacking Mancini too – he needs a decent run at the job.