Richard Keys suggests that nobody believed Tottenham Hotspur would win on Saturday afternoon – not even their manager Antonio Conte.
Manchester City fell short to Spurs, who managed to win 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium thanks to a 95th-minute winner from Harry Kane. This victory meant Spurs completed the double against City this campaign.
After Spurs’ recent form, not many neutrals may have thought that Conte’s side would have come away with three points, and Keys highlighted that in his personal blog.
“None of us thought Spurs would win. None of us. I don’t believe that even Conte fancied his team. He was desperate for the whistle so he could get back on the bus (yes – some teams even travelled to matches by coach this weekend. Whatever next for our pampered luvvies?) and head to London with a point,” Keys said.
TIF Thoughts on Richard Keys’ stern words…
Spurs recently lost back-to-back home games against Southampton and Wolves, which can’t have seen many giving the north Londoners a chance when they travelled to Manchester to face the champions.
But in a huge shock, Spurs took the lead after just four minutes played and went on to win the game via a Harry Kane header in the 95th minute.
However, Conte had a clear gameplan and executed it perfectly, after they only had 28% of possession in the game but still managed to nullify the City attack.
Kane also had a point to prove after his move to City fell through in the summer and his recent poor form – with just five league goals to his name this season prior to Saturday’s game. He certainly answered his critics with a brace to ensure all three points for his side.
So, although many may have been surprised with the result, indulging deeper, it would appear that with Kane’s point to prove and Conte’s tactical approach, the result could have been coming for Spurs all along.