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| Spurs sink nine-man Liverpool |
Tottenham Hotspur inflicted a 2-1 last-minute defeat on nine-man Liverpool to round off a crazy evening in north London.
Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota's sending-offs had seen the Reds reduced to nine men,
and it looked like they might just hold on for a point, but Joel Matip's last-gasp
His own goal sealed all three points for the Spurs.
The game got off to a lively start, with both teams looking to attack. Liverpool had
the first chance of the game in the fifth minute when Mohamed Salah played in
Darwin Nunez, but the Uruguayan's shot was saved by Hugo Lloris.
Spurs responded a few minutes later when Son Heung-min's shot went just wide of
the post.
The game then settled down into a bit of a midfield battle, with neither team able
to create any clear-cut chances.
However, the game came to life in the 32nd minute when Curtis Jones was sent off
for a reckless challenge on Yves Bissouma.
The referee initially gave Jones a yellow card, but VAR intervened and upgraded it
to a red.
Liverpool were now down to ten men, but they still managed to take the lead in the
41st minute.
Salah played a perfect ball through to Nunez, who finished coolly past Lloris.
Spurs equalized just before half-time when Harry Kane headed in from a Son
corner.
The second half was a bit of a one-way street, with Spurs dominating possession
and chances.
However, Liverpool's defense held firm, and they even had a few chances of their
own on the counter-attack.
In the 69th minute, Liverpool were reduced to nine men when Diogo Jota was sent
off for a second yellow card.
Jota had been booked earlier in the game for a foul on Eric Dier, and he received a
second yellow for a challenge on Son Heung-min.
With Liverpool down to nine men, Spurs piled on the pressure, and they finally got
their breakthrough in the 96th minute.
Son Heung-min crossed the ball into the box, and Matip turned the ball into his
own net under pressure from Kane.
The goal sparked wild celebrations from the Spurs players and fans, and it was a
cruel blow for Liverpool, who had defended so well for so long.
The win was Tottenham's first over Liverpool in six years, and it moved them up to
second in the Premier League table, a point behind Manchester City.
Analysis
This was a remarkable game, and it is one that will be remembered for a long time.
Liverpool were outstanding for long periods of the game, even when they were
down to ten men.
However, Spurs showed great character and determination to come back from
behind and win the game.
The sending-offs of Jones and Jota were crucial moments in the game, but the Spurs
also deserve credit for the way they played after going a goal down.
They created numerous chances, and they eventually got their reward with Matip's
own goal.
This win is a huge boost for Tottenham, and it shows that they are capable of
challenging for the Premier League title this season.
Key talking points
Liverpool's sending-offs were crucial moments in the game.
Spurs showed great character and determination to come back from behind and
win the game.
Son Heung-min was Tottenham's outstanding player.
This win is a huge boost for Tottenham, and it shows that they are capable of
challenging for the Premier League title this season.
Quotes
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte: "I am very happy with the performance of the
team. We played against a very good team, and we showed great character and
determination to come back from behind and win the game. This win is a very
important one for us, and it shows that we are capable of competing with the best
teams in the league."
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "I am disappointed with the result, but I am proud
of the way my team played. We were down to nine men for a long time, but we
defended very well and we even had a few chances of our own. The sending-offs
were crucial moments in the game, but Tottenham also deserves credit for the way
they played."
What next?
Tottenham Hotspur travel to Manchester City next weekend, while Liverpool host
Arsenal
