Ange Postecoglou admitted his Tottenham side lacked a “cutting edge” but praised his players’ second-half showing despite falling to a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League on Wednesday.
Erling Haaland, returning from a two-match absence, found the net after 12-minutes in a first half City dominated. But both sides proved wasteful and, in the end, Spurs were left to rue several good chances that went begging after the break.
Victory for City moves them back into the league’s top four as Pep Guardiola, who called Postecoglou an “exceptional” manager, cut a relieved figure at full time.
“The first half was difficult,” Postecoglou told TNT Sports. “They [City] had the ascendancy and scored and had a couple of good chances.
“But I thought second half we dominated and were just missing the goal. We dominated the ball, we dominated territory, we pinned them back.
“We were just missing that cutting edge in the final third.”
FULL-TIME | A win on the road ✊
⚪️ 0-1 🤎 #ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/jHvAqmfN4v
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 26, 2025
Guardiola also highlighted his side’s lack of quality in front of goal but said he was pleased his team got over the line.
“[I am] really happy for the three points – it [football] is a business,” said the City boss.
“The second half was open because did not close the game in the first. We had so many close chances and for the quality that we have we have to convert.
“We knew in the second [half] we were going to suffer but the guys did it. They fought for a lot and I was really pleased.”
Guardiola was also complimentary of City’s opponents: “This is one of the best depth squads I have ever seen. The manager [Postecoglou] is exceptional and they are a fantastic team.”
Next up for Tottenham is a trip to AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League Round of 16 first leg on 6 March, while City are in FA Cup Fourth Round action on Saturday when they host Championship side Plymouth Argyle, who knocked out Liverpool in the last round.