- Tottenham 0-1 Man City
- Mahrez opens scoring (6)
- Sterling starts
- Dembele in for Winks
- De Bruyne, Alli, Eriksen on bench
Riyad Mahrez was the goal hero as Manchester City took ‘Route One’ back to top spot. Former Leicester City player has however dedicated his winning goal to his former boss Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who died in a helicopter crash over the weekend.
The Algerian in a post match interview said, “It’s been very difficult for me. The boss was very special to me. I spent four and a half years there and have many memories with him. He was such a good person and such a good human so I am very, very sad, that’s why today when I scored I put my hands in the sky for him because he did a lot for me and for Leicester. It’s difficult to speak about it because it’s very sad.
“He was like a dad for us. He was very special. He was such a good person, with a very big heart, and it was heartbreaking and shocking for me to hear the news, of course with all the other people who died. It’s a difficult situation and I am with Leicester and the families of the victims because it’s not an easy situation.”
The £60million winger hit his fifth goal of the season just six minutes as the champions bypassed the appalling Wembley pitch completely.
With the surface a muddy mess after Sunday’s NFL match, keeper Ederson launched the ball 70 yards from his goal kick, Raheem Sterling cut it back for Mahrez to fire home.
Mahrez pointed his fingers to the sky in celebration. It is understood he held talks with Pep Guardiola beforehand over whether he had been in the right frame of mind to play following Saturday night’s tragedy at former club.
Erik Lamela blew Tottenham’s best chance to grab a point with just 11 minutes left when he blasted the ball over the bar with only Ederson to beat.
Guardiola’s move to change his tactics in the wake of the American football match between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars proved decisive.
The battle-scarred Wembley pitch still bore NFL markings along with entire length of the playing surface with both flanks heavily discoloured.
Condemnation of the surface continued with Arsenal legend Ian Wright insisting: “It is ridiculous they are playing on this pitch.
“Man City should complain. I don’t think they should have to play on this calibre of pitch.”
