Spurs 0 Man City 1: Mahrez dedicates goal to Leicester owner
Algerian winger pays tribute to former boss Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha
Tottenham 0 Manchester City 1
Riyad Mahrez scored the winner for Manchester City against Tottenham last night and then dedicated the goal to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
Describing the Leicester City owner as being “like a dad” to his players, the City star said news of his death in a helicopter crash on Saturday evening had hit him hard.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“It has been very, very difficult for me,” Mahrez told Sky Sports.
A big heart
The Algerian played 179 times for the Foxes between 2014 and 2018 before joining City in a £60m move in the summer, and the bonds he established at the King Power Stadium remain deep.
“The boss was very special to me,” explained Mahrez. “I spent four-and-a-half years there and have many memories with him. He was such a good person and had a big heart.
“It was heartbreaking and shocking for me to hear this news and for all of the other people who died with him. I am with Leicester and the family of the victims.”
Mahrez scored the only goal of a lacklustre encounter on seven minutes, sweeping the ball past Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris after good work by Raheem Sterling down the left flank.
“When I scored, I put my hands in the sky for him [Srivaddhanaprabha],” said Mahrez. “He did a lot for me and Leicester and it is difficult to speak about.”
Wasteful Spurs
Tottenham had chances to equalise, but Harry Kane squandered a good opportunity in the first-half and then Erik Lamela missed a sitter late on when he was teed up by Dele Alli’s pass.
As a result, Spurs remain in fifth, a point behind Arsenal and a point clear of Bournemouth. As for City, they climb back to the top of the Premier League table, ahead of Liverpool on goal difference but tied on 26 points.
Pitch problems
“It was a great victory in special conditions, against one of the most physical teams in Europe,” said City manager Pep Guardiola, who also expressed his displeasure at the state of the Wembley pitch.
Having hosted an NFL match between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, the turf was not in good shape and Guardiola went public with his complaints.
“It was not football conditions to play,” he said. “We reacted well. For our players and the players of Tottenham, hopefully, they will sort the problem for the future.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 2, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku hard: November 2, 2024
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
The wit and wisdom of Sven-Göran Eriksson
In Depth The first foreign coach to manage England on football, life and death
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated