When the fixtures for the quarter-finals of the Champions League were drawn, the City-Tottenham tie was probably the most lip-smacking one of the lot.
This was one fixture to keep an eye on, with both teams renowned for their exciting style of play. And after witnessing the game, it’s fair to say that this game did not disappoint.
Spurs were hosting the Citizens in the first ever CL game at their new stadium in the first leg of the tie.
City were given a VAR-assisted penalty in the first-half for a handball by Danny Rose. Aguero’s spot-kick failed to nestle in the back of the net, as Lloris saved the shot to keep the clean sheet intact.
Spurs were given a major injury blow with Harry Kane coming off after a challenge from Delph paired with an unfortunate slip form Kane during the incident.
But the game ended on a high as South Korean superstar Son Heung-min, who epitomized Tottenham’s passion, desire and relentless running scored winning goal with 12 minutes left to play.
He stretched to keep Eriksen’s pass in play, then drove in the box on his left before unleashing a shot under Ederson in goal.
@SpursOfficial's Son Heung-min sure as hell took his time to slot that one home for #COYS. Pochettino's side take a 1:0 advantage into the 2nd leg of the QFs. Pep has got his work cut out for him if that 5 trophy haul is to come true for @ManCity @ChampionsLeague SF for #COYS? pic.twitter.com/1kcUZGjn6L
— EmManuel Kwame Donkor (@Am_Wordie) April 9, 2019
As good as the goal turned out to be, it was BBC London Sports’ commentary for the goal that was even better. BBC’s Nick Godwin took all the emotional shackles off and produced a commentary for the ages.
One cannot do it justice by talking about it, have a listen yourself! It is worth every second, no word of a lie.
https://twitter.com/LastWordOnSpurs/status/1115727315844177921
Describing vividly the events building up to the goal, which included Eriksen’s searching ball to Son, Son’s desire and athleticism to keep the ball in the field of play and the Korean’s wonderful finish to give Spurs the lead, Godwin’s words are pure gold.
His words quite literally voiced every emotion that Spurs fans experienced in the moment, and we doubt anyone else could’ve done it any better!
There’s something about a commentator going berserk, his voice cracking and the passion they exude through the words they deliver when calling games that really makes watching football on camera coverage that much more exciting and hair-raising. And Nick provided exactly that.
Son’s goal was immaculate, and with Spurs taking a lead and a clean sheet to Manchester for the second leg, City have it all to do to turn the tie around.
And while Son was the hero on the pitch, Godwin’s heroics on commentary were also worth taking note of. Of all the bone-chilling and inspiring commentaries out there, where would this one rank? Here’s a compilation of some memorable commentaries.