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Here are today’s teams…
We’re underway…
Yaya Toure is lucky to get away with a bad challenge.
That’s a classic example of a foul that probably would have been a yellow later in the game.
Spurs have looked sharp in these opening stages.
They’ve found themselves in some promising positions, but haven’t created any clear-cut chances yet.
Half chance as Sterling finds space down the left. The Tottenham defender is well-positioned to clear the cross, however.
From the ensuing corner, the ball falls to Aguero, but he fails to fully get hold of the shot, and his effort goes well over.
Spurs have started this game with their usual tidy passing and intensive work off the ball.
Meanwhile, City, while they haven’t dictated the play as much, have looked threatening on the counter-attack.
Wimmer stops Yaya Toure making a run off the ball, with the referee giving a free kick as a result.
City are getting on top of this game now.
Great defending from Danny Rose, as he throws his body in front of Raheem Sterling’s shot.
Tottenham are being made to sweat at the moment.
Eriksen’s shot is parried away by Hart after good build-up play from Spurs.
It’s been an absorbing opening half an hour, with not much between the sides.
Aguero’s shot is deflected away for a corner for City’s fourth corner of the game.
For all Spurs’ possession, City look more threatening when they attack.
As if to prove my point, Dier shoots well off target as I type.
Long, slow build-up play from Tottenham eventually ends with Walker conceding possession to Sterling and giving away a free kick.
Tottenham have had 72% of the possession in the first half so far.
Tottenham continue to dominate possession and territory without really offering much of a threat.
That said, the visitors have been impressive in quietening the home crowd.
HALF-TIME: MAN CITY 0-0 TOTTENHAM
So half-time and Pochettino will probably be the happier of the two managers after a closely fought opening 45.
For Tottenham, Christian Eriksen tested Joe Hart with a pot shot, while Danny Rose made a great block to deny Raheem Sterling, but otherwise, it’s been conspicuously quiet in terms of goalmouth action.
Spurs have had over 60% of the possession and controlled much of the match. That said, there is a liveliness about City’s attack that isn’t evident when Spurs go forward, so this game is very much in the balance with the second period to play.
The second half is underway…
Rose’s cross hits Sterling’s arm and the ref points to the spot.
That looked harsh.
Another half chance for City.
Yaya Toure’s deflected cross falls to Aguero, but he doesn’t catch it properly and balloons his attempt well over.
Man City are raging, but Tottenham won’t care.
Kane makes no mistake with the penalty — the first Premier League spot kick City have conceded for 13 months, according to Sky.
MAN CITY 0-1 TOTTENHAM (KANE 53)
Wimmer gets booked for a bad tackle on Silva, and City get a free kick on the edge of the box. The hosts are playing with greater urgency now.
As I type, Toure’s free kick hits the bar and is then cleared.
City have really upped the tempo now and it’s a completely different game.
The hosts have Tottenham pegged back into their own half currently.
Iheanacho is coming on for City, as they look to boost their attacking threat.
Tellingly, a defensive midfielder, Fernando, makes way.
This time a handball decision goes in City’s favour to ironic cheers.
Son threatens to go through on goal, but the South Korea international is tackled and the ball deflects off the striker’s hand as it rebounds in his direction.
There is anger directed at Danny Rose, as he initially refuses to put the ball out of play with Kane down injured.
Meanwhile, Tom Carroll replaces Son Heung-min, as Tottenham make a defensive change.
MAN CITY 1-1 TOTTENHAM (IHEANACHO)
The substitution pays off, as Iheanacho superbly finishes from Silva’s cross.
You can’t say it hasn’t been coming, as City have been completely dominant since the Spurs goal.
Meanwhile, Kolarov replaces Clichy, as City go in search of a winner.
Toure’s powerful drive is parried away by Lloris.
All the momentum is with City now. Can Tottenham hold out?
MAN CITY 1-2 TOTTENHAM (ERIKSEN 83)
Dele Alli, who’s had a quiet game today, is replaced by Erik Lamela.
Lamela scored in the earlier league game between these sides at White Hart Lane.
A lovely through ball from Lamela puts Eriksen through on goal, and the Danish midfielder slots home confidently on his birthday.
That’s really silenced the home support, as the visitors hit their opponents with a sucker punch.
Kane has had a quiet game, but he almost scored there, hitting a powerful strike from distance just wide.
Less than five minutes remain.
We’re set for a tense finish. City are pressing, as Tottenham tempt faith by sitting back and inviting on pressure.
Meanwhile, Nacer Chadli is replacing Harry Kane for the final few minutes.
Danger for Spurs as a cross hits Otamendi and deflects away from goal.
This is a very tense climax.
Incredible stuff!
Lloris does really well to palm away a cross, narrowly preventing Otamendi from heading home in the process.
FULL-TIME: MAN CITY 1-2 TOTTENHAM
Wow! It’s been an excellent weekend for North London, with Arsenal and now Tottenham winning, while Man City’s title aspirations have taken another big setback, following last week’s loss to Leicester.
Spurs retain second place, but they are now just two points behind Leicester. Arsenal are behind them on goal difference only, while Man City are still six points off the lead and will be very frustrated after today’s game.
After a first half in which both sides cancelled each other out, the game came alive when a controversial penalty decision was awarded in Spurs’ favour.
City dominated thereafter, and deservedly equalised, but Tottenham then won it on the counter-attack against the run of play, as Eriksen produced a consummate finish on his birthday, following an intelligent through pass from substitute Erik Lamela.
Looks like Mayo will be asking Santa Claus for Sam this year
@david hynes: Now you’re just being silly there David. Even we know Santa doesn’t come until Christmas eve ..
@david hynes: even if they whole championship was cancelled they’d still be runners up.
Croke park in December. Rain and hail. Extortionate ticket prices. Getting dark at 4pm and a very long dismal drive home. No thanks.
@Patrick Agnew: Haha stay at home so. Some of us would be delighted with the misery of being in croker in december
@Patrick Agnew: I’d say you’re the life and soul of a party. Generally, ticket prices are good value with many being double headers. As for the weather, this being Ireland, you’ve as much chance of being soaked in July as you do in December.
@Gareth Ward: off you go Gareth. I’ll watch it in the pub.
@Patrick Agnew: I’ll meet you there for a pint so after ive been to the games!
@Patrick Agnew: Do ya hear this lad? Christ. The pessimism. I’d crawl over broken glass to see my county play in a December final. Driving home from a match in the dark, what will they think of next!
@Patrick Agnew: You’re from Fermanagh Paddy, you won’t need to worry about it…
@Joe Brennan: good spot joe but I’m from Armagh
@Patrick Agnew: Still won’t.
Hopefully galway can beat mayo to relegate them
How is the provincial system fair for lets say an Ulster team who have to play a lot more and tougher games. Open draw would have been fairer and a good chance to trial something different. Instead its the same old.
@Lad: The provincial system has never been fair. So its not any different this year
@Gareth Ward: there is no back door? That does make it more unfair.
@Lad: Agree about Ulster but this is best way as open draw means some teams dont even have provincial title to go go for. I for one will be looking forward to it!!!
@Lad: Probably. But someone else would have a reason to complain then
@BrianG: true but they have a chance to go for that every year. What about giving them one good chance off the All Ireland. Last 32, round of 16, quarters, semis and final. Fair for everyone and gives someone like kildare, Tipp, Derry a real chance to go further than they could ever hope for the AI, rather than through the province. Give them hope, its crucial in GAA, just like nowhere but Newbridge and what that meant for kildare.
Just imagine a game of hurling in a potential snowstorm
@Sean Treacy: Bring it on baby
@Sean Treacy: just give me a game of hurling anywhere right now ..hail , rain or snow .
This will shorten the winter for a lot of people.
Roscommon at 100/1, twill be the best Xmas ever had
Lets go 6 in a row!
@Johnny 5: “Yis can fook off with your ga, Liverpool are playing Southampton at 4 o clock.” Jesus wept
@Baz:
Ha ha you can watch the paint dry Wel watch a mans game
Football so predictable.
Hurling so exciting.
@Colman Walsh: your comment was also predictable
Galway for the double this year at senior and U20, and the camogie and ladies football too!
@David Finn: Is that not a quadruple?
Kerry v Galway and Dublin v Donegal for the semis. Repeat of last years final, Dubs to shade it by a couple of points.
@Johnny 5: jes lad say if Galway can get back to the form they had up till this will give Kerry a good run for there money
@Johnny 5: jaysus I dunno, I like the name Johnny 5.
@Johnny 5: our game v Tyrone in ballybofey will be massive.
Should the semi finals not be Leinster v Munster and Connacht v Ulster? Before the break the super 8′s would have been Connacht and Ulster winners in one group and Leinster and Munster in the other. Why the change now?
@Alan Kenny: They obviously want a kerry dublin final
@Alan Kenny: I’d imagine 2020 framework moves to 2021. Hopefully back to normal
not a hope we will be well into lockdown 2 by then
Is there relegation in the leagues ??
@Gareth Ward: I would say so. Bottom two will still get relegated.
Also why are games to be finished on penalty’s? These are not low scoring games, there could easily be made a new rule to finish a game after a draw in extra time, such as first team to lead by 2 points or more wins.. Much fairer.
@Lad: Penalties are more craic anyway. Plus it could take an hour for a team to get a 2 point lead
@Gareth Ward: Seriously? An hour?
Ya because All Ireland Finals are all about the craic.
@Lad: Well i cant put an exact time on it. But imagine how untra defensive teams would get then! An hour might be generous
And yes, all ireland finals are great craic!
@Lad: can you imagine Tyrone defending a lead in extra time with that rule. Christ there be lads building blocks across the 45m line
I’m just glad we’re having championships – but fingers crossed! The virus will do what it wants to do.
Good luck to all – GAA management, teams and players.
Limerick league champions. So only lost two of the last 7 trophies they could have won. 2* league 1a, 1 all Ireland, 1 * league 1b, 1* munster
@Trevor: Well Clare are also league champions. 1a and 1b are the same level, it was division one split into 2 groups
@Gareth Ward: 1a and 1b are not the same level
@Trevor: Do your research kid, they are
@Trevor: they are the same level changed format start of this year
@Gareth Ward: use your brain. Also I would have included a munster cup win if I was going to the level of lower 1b
@Trevor: Hahaha you are making less and less sense with every comment
it’s an absolute farce. Never has it been easier for Dublin and Kerry to walk their provinces.
No other div 1 team from their provinces next year. Kerry might not even face a div 2 side.
Absolute huge asterix joke.
@Peter McGlynn: no there won’t be any asterix next to it, if Kerry or Dublin win the all ireland it’s cause they are the best team, its not there fault if the rest aren’t up to the standard.
Dream on GAA
Another handy all Ireland for Tipp