Yesterday’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City was the second time Spurs‘ homegrown defender Japhet Tanganga had a dominating game against Pep Guardiola’s star-studded team, as he dealt with Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling expertly despite his inexperience.
Japhet Tanganga's pockets when he gets home tonight… #THFC | #COYS | #TOTMCI pic.twitter.com/1DE7RVUqgg
— The Spurs Web ⚪️ (@thespursweb) August 15, 2021
Time and time again Tanganga found himself defending in a one vs one situation against one of City’s superstar attackers, but he came out on top every time, demonstrating his dominating aggressive attributes and frightening athleticism – as he out-paced one of the quickest players in the league in Sterling on not just one occasion but multiple.
The 22-year-old’s performance earned him another man-of-the-match award to add to his already impressive collection, having also won the award on his debut against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
Spurs fans were absolutely ecstatic for the young defender, who received a standing ovation from the crowd as he was substituted for Matt Doherty and made his way around the electric stadium.
What a performance from Japhet Tanganga today.
Absolute monster display from the young lad. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/zXYWabqDgz
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) August 15, 2021
One supporter replied to Tanganga’s post on Twitter after the game, saying: “YOU were amazing Japhet! I mean, WHAT a performance! Up against Sterling and Grealish and you pocketed them both – even @GNev2 said he couldn’t have done what you did today! You bossed it! Now make this season yours!”
Another fan said: “What a game by @JTanganga99! He never let the big boys run past him or have it their way; he stopped everything. He let them know they were in a game, never let up. Great passion, commitment and effort. Keep that going son!”
What a game by @JTanganga99
He never let the big boys run past him or have it their way; he stopped everything. He let them know they were in a game, never let up. Great passion, commitment and effort. Keep that going son! #TOTMCI— CJ (@CJoneses100) August 16, 2021
Even rival fans were applauding the defender’s dominating game, and a United fan referenced Jack Grealish’s record price tag, saying: “Tanganga is walking into that Tottenham dressing room rich. He just pocketed £100M!”
Tanganga is walking into that Tottenham dressing room rich. He just pocketed £100M #TOTMCI. pic.twitter.com/4bg6YzTJ6o
— Prof 🐐 (@mufc_prof) August 15, 2021
Many fans also believe now that Tanganga is a level above his competition for the right-back spot, with one tweeting: “Keep it going Tanganga.. much better than Aurier..”
Keep it going tanganga.. much better than aurier..
— graham.. (@downatthelane00) August 15, 2021
Former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba also gave his opinion on the battle, tweeting: “I take Tanganga over Aurier any days of the week !”
I take Tanganga over Aurier any days of the week #TOTMCI
— fabrice muamba (@fmuamba6) August 15, 2021
Surely now Tanganga has cemented his place in the starting line-up at the right-back position, as Spurs still are looking to move on Serge Aurier.