Our only target in this historic Hong Kong derby came after Myles Lewis-Skelly seemed to be clipped behind him, and Sarr pounced to score long-distance.
Late Substitution Push Fails to Yield Equaliser
Viktor Gyokeres was introduced to a deafening welcome towards the end as we sought the equaliser, but although we pressed, the goal would not come.
With decibel levels escalating following a jaw-dropping pre-game dragon ceremony and light display, we jumped on our opposition from the very first whistle.
Martin Odegaard had a shot deflected just wide within the first minute before having another effort off target from a corner. Tottenham’s first attempt came ten minutes in, when Pedro Porro’s corner evaded everyone and hit the far post. It fell to Richarlison, who headed straight at William Saliba.
First-Half Drama and Controversial Goal
The problems started coming thick and fast from both sides, and Rodrigo Bentancur was cautioned for a cynical foul on Bukayo Saka. We had begun very well, but around the middle of the half Spurs had a wonderful opportunity to go in front.
Wilson Odobert’s low shot was blocked against the post and out, and from the consequent corner, the ball dropped to Richarlison in under the bar, but he managed to miss the unguarded goal.
Just as the opening half was running into injury time, Tottenham scored in contentious circumstances. Lewis-Skelly seemed to be brought down within the centre circle by Richarlison, the ball fell to Pape Sarr, and he shot over the stranded David Raya from a distance.
Missed Opportunities Before the Break
We had three perilous corners before the half-time whistle, two of which were muddled away at the six-yard box, but we did not try out Guglielmo Vicario throughout the first 45 minutes.
Saka’s ball of spin on the right earned us our first corner of the half, when Odegaard’s effort was scuffed over, and soon afterwards Gabriel Martinelli stabbed a shot over from Kai Havertz’s lay off after some good work by Lewis-Skelly.
At the opposite end, Micky Van de Ven headed wide from close distance, but Tottenham’s first-half goal was still the lone shot on target for either team.
Debuts and Final Attempts
Martin Zubimendi was introduced in for his derby baptism, and his first touch was to send a shot from the edge of the box which was deflected over the bar. Havertz followed up with a low shot that was easily saved as we looked for the equaliser.
As the match reached its final 15 minutes, Mikel Arteta glanced at his bench and replaced Eddie Nketiah with Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres for their non-competitive debuts.
