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Sissoko shows worth in injury absence

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Image for Sissoko shows worth in injury absence

OPINION

How do you even begin to talk about a match like the one we saw between Tottenham and Manchester City last night?

Maybe with the five goals in 21 first half minutes? Or maybe with the last minute VAR overruling that denied City one the greatest wins in the club’s history? Perhaps, even, with the controversial goal Fernando Llorente may or may not have handled to ultimately see Spurs through to the last four of the Champions League?

It was truly a spectacle, a wonderful advert for the competition, and testament to the quality of the Premier League and its exports.

But arguably, the tie hinged on an altogether more innocuous incident.

Moussa Sissoko had been running things in the middle of the park for Spurs, covering every blade of grass, and once again proving that he is one of the most important players in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.

It was a real blow, therefore, when he suffered what appeared to be a groin strain in a challenge on Kevin De Bruyne and had to be substituted for Fernando Llorente in the 41st minute.

At that point, City were already ahead on the night, but from then onwards they really began to bang on the door for a goal that would see them through.

There were times during the game when it is no exaggeration to say that the Blues had 10 men camped in Spurs’ half.

And you can’t help feeling that Sissoko’s absence was a fairly large factor in allowing that to happen.

Without the £80,000-a-week Frenchman [Spotrac], the Londoners were left with just Victor Wanyama as defensive cover in the centre of the park, and there were times when they looked in serious danger of being overrun.

Yes, Llorente scored a vital goal, but Tottenham were literally inches away from crashing out, and certainly would have if Sergio Aguero had been onside in the dying moments.

Sissoko one again proved, even in his absence, just how significant he is.

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