CARDIFF CITY 0 SPURS 1
Again, my prediction of a 1-0 win was proven correct. But for 90 minutes, it really looked like we were not going to get the three points we richly deserved. At the very end, the combination of substitutes Lewis Holtby and Erik Lamela provided the pass which Paulinho finished off with aplomb (a back heel no less). Cue pandemonium as the Spurs players celebrated wildly. And well they should as the victory had looked increasingly unlikely as the match wore on.
Having already beaten Manchester City at home, there was no lack of confidence from the Welsh side early on with Kyle Naughton being forced into an early error – a horrendous back pass which Hugo Lloris just managed to prevent from being a disaster but not without controversy. Cardiff claimed that Lloris had handled outside the box but even replays proved hard to call, much less officials without a proper view of the incident.
From that moment on, it was virtually all Spurs. But despite all the domination, Spurs were unable to get past Cardiff keeper Marshall. This pattern continued for most of the game. Either Marshall was playing out of his skin or Spurs’ shooting needs improvement. I suspect it’s a bit of both – we simply need to put away more of the chances we invariably create. Overall, this dominating performance deserved a victory and the team’s dogged perseverance really paid off with that stoppage time goal.
Better yet – Lloris earned yet another clean sheet. Although of course, Cardiff will dispute the disallowed goal – but it’s clear that both Lloris and Michael Dawson were fouled in the set play so…? Honestly, I do not understand what Cardiff manager Mackay has to grumble about – his side were outclassed – it should have been 4-0 or even 5-0. So his post-match remarks were quite bewildering.
Not sure how the team will be able to recover for Tuesday’s Capitol One Cup game versus Aston Villa but to be honest, I am more concerned at what’s looming this Saturday – a visit from Chelsea. But until then, it’s good to know that the side is gelling and moving in the right direction.
COYS!