The first matchday of the Champions League knockout stages has left two Premier League sides in the ascendancy heading into the second leg of their ties.
Manchester City steamrollered Basel for a 4-0 away win, but the result of the night was Tottenham getting a 2-2 draw at Juventus, coming back from 2-0 down at the home of last year’s runners up. That tie could still go either way, but Spurs are in the driver’s seat thanks to their two away goals.
Here are Seven Deadly Stats from Tuesday night’s games.
HIGUAIN’S SURPRISE SALVO
Gonzalo Higuain has been much maligned, unfairly, for failing to turn up in the big games. But he went some way to restoring his reputation during last year’s Champions League semi-final, scoring two goals in the first leg, and then he took to the pitch on Tuesday and played like a man possessed in staking Juventus to a two-goal lead.
He and Juventus may end up rueing his missed penalty, as well as one other glorious chance he missed when the home side were still 2-0 up, but his opening salvo was a reminder of his quality.
Gonzalo Higuain: Before tonight had scored 4 goals in 27 Champions League knockout games. He’s scored 2 in 9 minutes against Tottenham…#JUVTOT#UCL
Follow it live – https://t.co/6DBU77AZLj
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) February 13, 2018
KANE EQUALS ENGLAND RECORD
Steven Gerrard scored seven goals in the 2008-09 Champions League campaign for Liverpool. Nine years later, and someone else has finally managed to equal that mark, as Harry Kane scored his seventh for this campaign on Tuesday night.
His next one could be vital. If he were to hit his eighth in the second leg of this tie, it would go a long way to ensuring Tottenham can complete their win over Juventus.
No English player has ever scored more goals in a single Champions League season than Harry Kane (7). pic.twitter.com/eUf4ewW9RK
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 13, 2018
BETTER THAN THE BEST?
Not only did he equal Gerrard’s scoring record, Kane also put himself in exalted company with his goal.
Actually, to be more accurate, he put himself above an esteemed list of players – no player in Champions League history can match Kane’s goal tally after nine matches.
9 – Harry Kane has scored more goals in his first nine Champions League appearances (9) than any player in the history of the competition, ahead of Ronaldinho, Simone Inzaghi, Didier Drogba & Diego Costa (8). Greatest. #JUVTOT #UCL pic.twitter.com/b7RCpdRrwn
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 13, 2018
SPURS ATTACK PASSES JUVENTUS TEST
Spurs being drawn against Juventus had shades of last year’s Champions League semi-final, which pit Juventus against Monaco. Back then, the Serie A champions handed a youthful, thrilling attacking side a lesson, giving Monaco’s youngsters a dose of reality as the French side’s vaunted attack was left looking rather toothless.
This Spurs side is a little more grizzled than last year’s Monaco, but the similarities are there, and many predicted Tottenham would have similar struggles against Juventus. So coming back from 2-0 down at the home of the Italian giants is a truly special feat.
Juventus 2-2 Tottenham – Juventus conceded 2 goals in the opening 71 minutes tonight, having only conceded 1 goal in their previous 1,450 minutes of football going back to November pic.twitter.com/y1jIP1sWDb
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) February 13, 2018
YOU’RE A WIZARD, KEVIN
It’s only February, and Kevin de Bruyne is now one assist away from 20 across all competitions. He’s already gunning for the Premier League record – incidentally, also 20; De Bruyne is on 14 – but his brilliance is being put on display wherever the Belgian graces the pitch.
19 – Kevin De Bruyne now has 19 assists in all competitions for Manchester City in 2017-18; five more than any other Premier League player. Creator. pic.twitter.com/IhwrZQEN1k
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 13, 2018
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A SEASON MAKES
Everyone knew Manchester City underperformed last season, but just how stark is the difference? Having gotten used to his surroundings, Pep Guardiola has galvanised his side, and they look completely different to the erratic, disorganised team that took to the pitch last year.
The results are there for all to see.
34 – Manchester City have already won more games this season in all competitions (34) than they did in the whole of last season (33). Exceptional. #UCL #BSLMCI pic.twitter.com/UJhZwns81G
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 13, 2018
KYLE DRIBBLER
Crucial to City’s success this season has been the play of their full-backs, especially Kyle Walker. Guardiola has taken a player who was already known for his speed and attacking talent and maximised those abilities, without compromising City’s defence.
On nights like Tuesday, when Walker doesn’t have to defend much as City dominated an overmatched opponent, the right-back gets to have some fun.
Kyle Walker completed more take-ons (8) against Basel than any other player in the Champions League tonight.
100% completion rate. pic.twitter.com/dGKGGLnms3
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 13, 2018