City must keep their feet on the ground, says Macken
Macken came off the bench after Nicolas Anelka suffered a groin strain at White Hart Lane on Wednesday night and scored the injury-time winner which sealed one of the most remarkable comebacks in FA Cup history as City came from 3-0 down at half-time to win 4-3.
It set up a dream tie at neighbours Manchester United a week on Saturday, but more importantly it could mark the turning point in a dismal season which saw City go into last night’s replay with just one win in their previous 18 matches.
“United will be another big occasion but we’ve got two league games to get past first,” said Macken. “If we can get two good results that can take us on to Old Trafford. The league games come first and this can be a brick for those hopefully.
“Hopefully, after last night, that can push us on. A lot of people thought it was all over at half-time, but we just had to go out there, show a bit of pride and maybe snatch a goal, although even at 3-1 you’re struggling and fighting an uphill battle.”
Everyone assumed that City boss Kevin Keegan delivered some kind of rousing speech during the break, especially after the team had Joey Barton sent off after the half-time whistle, but in reality it was a question of pride.
“There’s not much you can say,” said Macken. “You’ve just got to go out and show a bit of pride and that’s what we did. Ten men and 3-0 down, that’s football. We needed something for the team, for the players and we needed something for the fans.
“In the first half, Spurs played really well and we didn’t play as well as we could. Then it’s always going to be difficult with 10 men. It was just one of those games that come around every so often and, to be involved in one and to get the winner was fantastic for me but also for the fans and the players, it was something that we needed.
“A little lift like that, a gritty performance, it’s something to build on. I was disappointed for Nic after he pulled his groin, but I’ve got to take my chance when it comes and now it has come.
“I’ve had a few injuries since I’ve been here but that’s history now. I’ve just got to go on and perform now.”
Barton was sent off for dissent when he received a second yellow card for something he said to referee Rob Styles, and Keegan backed the official and said he would take action against his young player.
“I believe the referee,” said Keegan. “Joey Barton has been terrific for me, but I asked the referee what happened and he said ‘He verbally abused me. I told him he had already got a yellow card and if he carried on I would give him another one, but he came back and said something else’.
“He didn’t tell me what he said, but I accept that from the referee, he is an honest lad and has no reason to lie to me. I am disappointed with that and we’ll handle it internally. We’ll sit down, but that will be between Joey and me.”
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