Manchester City moved into the FA Cup fifth round as Nathan Ake’s controversial late goal clinched the holders’ 1-0 win against Tottenham on Friday night.
As the football world digested the stunning news that Jurgen Klopp will step down as Liverpool manager at the end of this season, City, the club who might benefit most from his exit, finally ended their wait for a first victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
City had lost all five of their previous visits to Tottenham’s plush arena without scoring a goal since the stadium opened in April 2019.
But Dutch defender Ake ensured City would leave north London on a high at last when he stabbed home with just two minutes left in the fourth round clash.
City’s pressure was finally rewarded in the 88th minute as Vicario, under pressure from Ruben Dias, made a hash of catching De Bruyne’s corner.
Ake prodded in from close-range and the goal survived a prolonged VAR check.
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Pep Guardiola’s side have won their last seven games in all competitions to maintain their renaissance after a pre-Christmas wobble.
They are five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool but hold a game in hand and will hope to capitalise on any uncertainty created by Klopp’s bombshell announcement.
Klopp and Guardiola have fought an intense rivalry during their time in England, with the City boss largely coming out on top in the silverware stakes.
City won all three major prizes last season and remain firmly in the hunt to retain the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup.
In the other FA Cup fourth round action on Friday, Chelsea were held to a 0-0 draw by Aston Villa as both sides squandered opportunities at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea had scored six in their previous outing, dispatching Middlesbrough to reach next month’s League Cup final against Liverpool.
But Mauricio Pochettino’s men found Villa a tougher nut as a combined 23 shots from both sides failed to yield a winner.
In a rematch of the 2000 FA Cup final won by Chelsea, John McGinn spurned Villa’s best chances in each half.
Villa’s Douglas Luiz also had a first half effort disallowed for handball by the Brazilian before he finished.
Emiliano Martinez made fine saves from Chelsea’s Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer to set up a replay at Villa Park.
Nottingham Forest were held to a 0-0 draw by Championship giant-killers Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
City enjoyed a shock win over West Ham in a third round replay earlier in January and once again they made life difficult for Premier League opponents.
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