Download
Kane-less Spurs stun Man City, Barca begin post-Messi era with big win
CGTN
Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring a goal to secure Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 victory over Manchester City during their Premier League match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, August 15, 2021. /CFP

Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring a goal to secure Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 victory over Manchester City during their Premier League match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, August 15, 2021. /CFP

Tottenham shrugged off the absence of Harry Kane to give manager Nuno Espirito Santo a dream start as Son Heung-min's strike beat Premier League champions Manchester City 1-0 on Sunday.

Nuno left Kane out his squad with the England captain closely linked with a move to City, who showed why they are in need of a natural goal-scorer in a toothless display.

City have already spent 100 million pounds (about $138.64 million) on Jack Grealish and are prepared to smash the Premier League transfer record once more to get Kane by the end of the month.

The Spurs striker was reportedly in the stadium, but not on the pitch after returning back to pre-season training late in his bid to force a move away from his boyhood club.

Early on, it was easy to see why the 28-year-old sees City as the perfect destination for the final years of his prime to earn silverware.

Tottenham Hotspur fans wave flags during the Premier League match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, August 15, 2021. /CFP

Tottenham Hotspur fans wave flags during the Premier League match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, August 15, 2021. /CFP

Pep Guardiola's men penned in the home side for the opening 10 minutes, but were left to rue not taking their chances as they slipped to a fourth defeat in four visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without scoring.

Grealish could have won a penalty as he was tripped on the edge of the box by Oliver Skipp and Ilkay Gundogan's free-kick was deflected inches wide.

Fernandinho then headed wide with the goal gaping as Hugo Lloris flapped at a cross, while Joao Cancelo and Riyad Mahrez sliced good chances wide.

However, buoyed by the return of a full house to their 62,000-capacity home, Spurs grew into the game and soon started causing City's makeshift defense problems.

Guardiola left out England internationals John Stones and Kyle Walker due to their lack of pre-season training and Tottenham targeted the pairing of Nathan Ake and Benjamin Mendy on the left of the City defense.

Son saw a deflected shot fly inches wide before the break in a prelude of what was to come in the winning goal.

The South Korean has been a persistent thorn in City's side and scored his seventh goal against them on 55 minutes as he cut inside Ake and fired low into the bottom corner.

Goalkeeper Norberto Murara Neto (L) greets captain Gerard Pique of Barcelona during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, August 15, 2021. /CFP

Goalkeeper Norberto Murara Neto (L) greets captain Gerard Pique of Barcelona during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, August 15, 2021. /CFP

Separately, Barcelona started life without Lionel Messi by defeating Real Sociedad 4-2 in their La Liga opener at the Camp Nou on Sunday even if fans admitted it felt like "a leap into the unknown."

Captain Gerard Pique gave them a 19th minute lead with his 50th goal for the club.

Martin Braithwaite found the net in first-half injury time and in the 59th minute. Sergi Roberto added a fourth in the last minute of the game.

Just over 20,000 fans were in attendance as crowds returned for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.

However, they had to hold their breath at one stage when Sociedad came back from 3-0 down to get to 3-2 thanks to goals from 20-year-old Julen Lobete in the 82nd minute and a 30-metre free-kick from skipper Mikel Oyarzabal three minutes later.

Fans of Lionel Messi acknowledge the football star prior to the La Liga match at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, August 15, 2021. /CFP

Fans of Lionel Messi acknowledge the football star prior to the La Liga match at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, August 15, 2021. /CFP

Six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi called time on his two-decade career at Barcelona last week and moved to Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi's memory lingered heavy over the Camp Nou on Sunday despite the removal of a giant photograph of the Argentine superstar from the entrance in the wake of his move to France.

Some banners were in place well before kick-off, venting the fans anger towards president Joan Laporta.

One read "Laporta, Barca is not your business," while another proclaimed "Barca yes, Laporta no!"

"It was a big emotional blow," said 23-year-old Barca fan Adria De Lucas.

"I was in my room when I saw the news. I started sending messages to all my friends, and no one believed it. It was emotionally hard."

The supporter added: "It's a leap into the unknown (without Messi). We will see what happens."

Inside the Camp Nou, fans made the most of their return after 18 months, chanting "Messi! Messi!"

Banners expressed their "eternal gratitude."

"The supporters are with us, they want to see football," said Pique.

"We knew they were going to react that way. We all know what Leo represents, but everything changes and we have to keep going," he added.

Source(s): AFP

Search Trends