During Tottenham’s stunning 4-0 demolition of Manchester City on Saturday, the players earned widespread praise for their exceptional performance. The Lilywhites not only delivered a statement victory but also held a clean sheet against the reigning champions. Among a team playing beyond expectations, Gary Neville struggled to pick between two standout performers who made the biggest difference in this thrilling display at the Etihad.
Gary Neville faced a tough choice when selecting his Man of the Match after what many consider the pinnacle of Ange Postecoglou’s tenure so far. Deciding between two standout performers felt like a mother choosing between her two beloved sons . Both stars delivered arguably their best performances of the season, but James Maddison ultimately claimed the crown. The £170,000-per-week maestro earned a stellar 9.2 rating on SofaScore, scoring two crucial opening goals that set the tempo for Tottenham’s remarkable night.
Gary Neville absolutely amazed by the pair
Gary Neville couldn’t hide his admiration for Tottenham’s dazzling performance against Manchester City, singling out Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison for their brilliance. Kulusevski’s sublime left-footed assist for Maddison’s opener screamed class, while Maddison’s second goal showcased his artistry. Linking with Son before executing a stunning finish with precision and finesse, Maddison delivered a moment of pure footballing beauty. Tottenham’s rapid, incisive play left City’s defenders helpless, shocking the Etihad and showing the quality Ange Postecoglou’s side can produce.
Speaking on his own podcast via Youtube, the United Legend remarked
“Absolutely brilliant. It’s the quality of Kulusevski, absolutely wonderful,”
“James Maddison [for his second goal, was] absolutely wonderful. He plays the pass to Son and then he goes on the big overlap round. The control on his right and the dink on the left is a thing of beauty beauty”
“Tottenham have shocked the living daylights out of this stadium and that is a brilliant piece of football. A brilliant goal. The speed of play, it doesn’t matter how good your defenders are, you can’t deal with that “
Gary Neville, who famously awarded a rare joint Man of the Match in 2021 after a thrilling 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Manchester City, faced a similar dilemma on Saturday. However, this time there was no split decision. James Maddison edged out Dejan Kulusevski for the honour, thanks to his exceptional performance both in attack and, surprisingly, in defence. Neville praised Maddison for his sterling off-the-ball work, a facet of his game not typically highlighted, deeming it perhaps his best display out of possession to date.
Maddison edged out Kulusevski as the pundit explains,
“[Maddison’s discipline and his work in the second-half was equally impressive [as his goals],” Neville argues. “And that’s why I’ve given him Man of the Match.”
“He was outstanding,” “You have to be against City, and Madders was great. He’s gone through a lean spell but I never doubted his ability. I thought the kind of game we were expecting would suit him.”
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As fans we hope Maddison can maintain this remarkable form and that both he and Kulusevski continue to compete for the Man of the Match honours. With Spurs set to face Roma in the Europa League next, their contributions will be crucial in keeping the momentum alive.
