Jose Mourinho was full of praise for Japhet Tanganga after his performance against City.
The Academy graduate came in for his first Premier League appearance of the season as we took on the in-form leaders at the Etihad on Saturday. It was Japhet’s first appearance in the Premier League this term and seventh start in the competition of his career having made his debut against Liverpool in January last season.
As ever, Japhet, 21, seemed unfazed in what was arguably his toughest assignment yet – City came into the game on the back of 15 straight wins and Japhet, playing right-back, was first up against Raheem Sterling and then man of the moment Phil Foden, the City pair switching flanks early.
Japhet didn’t give an inch as we succumbed to a 3-0 loss. We started well, Harry Kane hit the post at 0-0 and we looked in good shape, but a penalty midway through the first half gave the initiative to the home side and a double from Ilkay Gundogan at the start of the second half put City out of reach.
“Japhet did very well,” said Jose at the Etihad. “He’s a positive – a young guy, an Academy guy, a Club guy coming into the game and the game, of course, not easy.
“I didn’t feel that he had any problems and that he was in control against good players and a good team, and when the team is not physically well, then minute after minute, you start opening up spaces, not the same recoveries from the midfield players or the centre-backs.
“He had a few situations in the second half, but a complete performance from the kid.”
(official page)
