“We had to score” — Nathan Ake reveals Man City motivation after ending Tottenham scoring drought

Manchester City finally broke their duck with a win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium thanks to a late Nathan Aké goal Friday evening.

The Premier League champions headed into the night having never won a game or even scored a goal at the new Spurs stadium, but both of those lousy streaks were snapped Friday evening in north London.

After a tight affair in the opening 80 minutes plus, City centre-half Nathan Aké pounced on a loose ball after a corner-kick to stab home the opener and give the visitors a lead that would remain untouched for the dying minutes.

After the match, the Dutchman opened up on his scrappy goal, and what it meant for his side to end their scoring drought in the stadium.

“I’m so happy,” Aké said. “It was tough, we played really well. We had to score. It didn’t happen for a long time but luckily we got it.

“I’m not sure what happened [for the goal]. I just touched it in. I will have to see it back. I don’t know what happened.”

The goal was heavily protested by the Tottenham players, as they felt Ruben Dias was guilty of fouling their goalkeeper during the goal. However, after a VAR check, the referee’s decision to award the goal was confirmed.

The victory ensures City will avoid a fourth round replay, and will move on to the fifth round as they look to hunt down a second consecutive FA Cup triumph, and a third of the Pep Guardiola era.

Next up for Guardiola’s men is visit from former club captain Vincent Kompany, as he brings his struggling Burnley side to the Etihad Stadium for a Premier League showdown to close out January.

Manchester City currently sit five points behind league leaders Liverpool, though they do have a game in hand on Jurgen Klopp’s men.