Tottenham Vs Man City 1-0: Son Heung-min Forces Guardiola To Pocket Black Records

Son Heung Min (Twitter @spursofficial)

JAKARTA - Son Heung-min forced reigning champions Manchester City to their knees in their 2021/22 season opener on Sunday, 15 August night. The South Korean player's only goal brought Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-0 win.

Son scored in the 55th minute and Tottenham held on to the lead to mark their competitive debut under Nuno Espirito Santo to victory.

HM7 with a peach of a finish. pic.twitter.com/HCqBRsY7Uu

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 15, 2021

This result became a black record for Pep Guardiola, because the previous 10 seasons City had always succeeded in winning their first game in the Premier League.

What's more, City had previously lost the Community Shield match against Leicester City and they became the first Premier League defending champions since Chelsea in 2017/18 to start the season with a loss.

Launching Antara, the statistics on the Premier League's official website show that City dominated more than 65 percent of possession, but none of their 18 attempted shots resulted in a goal.

City's expensive side had a good chance in the fifth minute when goalkeeper Hugo Lloris missed Benjamin Mendy's cross, but Fernandinho's header missed the gaping goal mouth.

Then in the 35th minute Riyad Mahrez stood free without a control receiving a cross sent by Raheem Sterling, unfortunately his volley deviated from the target.

Tottenham, who were under more pressure and relied on counter-attacks, almost stole the lead five minutes before halftime, unfortunately Son's finish was still off the mark after setting up Joao Cancelo.

The glasses lasted until halftime before the hosts broke the deadlock in the 55th minute with a counter-attack which was ended by Son turning Nathan Ake around before curling an unexpected shot from goalkeeper Ederson Moraes.

Tottenham's counter-attack almost led to another goal five minutes later, but this time Steven Bergwijn's strike just hit the net outside the City goal.

The Premier League's most expensive player, Jack Grealish had the opportunity to bring City level in the 75th minute when he received a through ball from Ferran Torres, but his shot was still not enough to beat goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Eight minutes later, Lloris made another brilliant save to parry Kevin De Bruyne's curling shot from the edge of the box to keep Tottenham ahead until the final whistle.

Full-time in north London!! What a performance!!! +𝟯 pic.twitter.com/vJbZkJkdxJ

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 15, 2021

Nuno Santo will next have a small reunion with Wolverhampton when he leads Tottenham to a trip to Molineux next Sunday, while City the day before will host promoted Norwich City at the Etihad.

Prior to that on Thursday, 19 August, Tottenham will first travel to Portugal against Pacos de Ferreira in the first leg of their Conference League qualifying playoff.