Roy Keane has slammed Tottenham player Guglielmo Vicario for his role in Manchester City‘s FA Cup-winning goal, claiming Pep Guardiola’s team targeted their ‘weak’ goalkeeper.
City advanced to the competition’s fifth round after winning 1-0 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday night.
Nathan Ake scored the game’s sole goal after 88 minutes, poking home after Vicario failed to hold onto Kevin de Bruyne’s corner.
Ruben Dias stood in front of the Tottenham goalie, but Tottenham’s demands for a foul were dismissed.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane was not sure Vicario had been fouled, claiming the Italy international had failed to ‘command his area’.
‘The goalkeeper must command that six-yard area,’ Keane told ITV Sport.
‘A goalkeeping coach I worked with years ago used to say – and I loved it – “You come with violence.” You come in and attack the space, clearing everybody out. You must make them aware of your presence. If defenders are backing into you, go physical. Command the area.
City failed to worry Spurs with a series of similar corner kick sequences that led to the goal. Their determination eventually paid off, with Keane feeling the defending champions were out to exploit Vicario after identifying him as a ‘weak’ link.
‘They had worked on it; they knew there was a flaw,’ Keane added.
‘We were becoming agitated as well; we expected City to try a couple shot corners, but they persevered and eventually got it right. They glanced at that goalkeeper and remarked, “Right, he will be weak in that area.”
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, however, chose not to challenge the referee’s decision to allow the goal to stand.
‘I’m sure they took a close look at it, and the referee and VAR saw nothing wrong. The choice was made, and we must accept it.’ He said.
On Tottenham’s performance, he said: “It was a tough game against a top side.” We worked hard to stay in the game and conceded too late. However, they were the better side.
‘They make you suffer at times, so we had to work hard and, for the most part, defend effectively. It was just too difficult a test for us.
We will continue on our current path; today does not change anything for us.
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