The build-up to the match was filled with discussion over whether Spurs fans should want their side to win – and thereby keep pressure on Aston Villa for the final Champions League place – or lose and help deny Arsenal a first title in 20 years. Postecoglou was adamant that his side would play to win, finding the notion of wanting your team to lose bizarre and going against everything sport is .
But it was clear that not everyone inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday night agreed with him. There was a subdued atmosphere throughout, with all the chants from the home fans taunting rivals Arsenal, rather than urging their side on.
Things came to a head when a supporter sitting behind the Spurs dugout voiced his opinion that the team should throw in the towel. Postecoglou’s furious reaction was captured on film by another fan, who posted the footage on Twitter.
After walking back from his technical area to the seats, he was heard yelling: “What did you say? What did you say before that? Just so I know who you are. There you are. I’m watching you. Watch your mouth, huh?”
Postecoglou cut a frustrated figure on the touchline throughout the match, with Son Heung-min’s inability to beat Stefan Ortega when through one-on-one a particular annoyance. Dejan Kulusevski forced a few saves from the City keeper, who came on for the injured Ederson, but Spurs could not break the defending champions down.
The Australian’s anger extended into the post-match press conference. Asked whether the subdued atmosphere affected the players, Postecoglou replied: “Of course it does. It is what it is. I can't dictate what do. They're allowed to express themselves any way they want. But yeah, when we've got late winners in games it's because the crowd's helped us.”
