Ex-Pilgrim Tozer is hailed for his heroics

BBC pundits queued up to praise Plymouth-born Ben Tozer for his outstanding performance and leadership as Cheltenham Town came close to a huge FA Cup upset against Manchester City.

League Two side Cheltenham led 1-0 against Pep Guardiola’s City going into the last 10 minutes of the fourth round match at the Jonny Rocks Stadium.

City eventually made their class tell as they scored three late goals but Cheltenham still got huge praise for pushing them so hard in the BBC1-televised tie.

Not least Tozer, whose renowned long throw-in led to striker Alfie May putting the Robins ahead in the 59th minute.

Tozer also made one incredible headed goal-line clearance to prevent Benjamin Mendy for giving City a first half lead.

The 30-year-old Cheltenham captain and defender was the choice of BBC co-commentator Danny Murphy as the man-ofthe-match.

Murphy said: “Ben Tozer, the leader, the captain, what a performance. Absolutely sensational.

“He has probably had the game of his life tonight. He really has done superbly well and I have to give him man-of-the-match even though (Phil) Foden is not far behind him, with his second half performance especially.

“But, yeah, Ben Tozer man-ofthe-match today, he can be proud of himself.”

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards was also part of the BBC’s live coverage of the fourth round tie.

Richards said: “Tozer was just incredible. It’s one of the best centre-back performances I have seen for a long time.”

Tozer, who was in Argyle’s youth set-up before moving to Swindon Town as an apprentice in 2007, also gave his thoughts on the game.

He said: “Your phone goes mental when you are playing in games like this. People from out of the woodwork just texting you wishing you all the best, which is lovely to hear.

“These are small moments in your career and you have got to cherish them. I’m in the lower leagues and you have got to make the most of them and just enjoy them as and when they come.”

Tozer’s long throw-in for Cheltenham’s goal was measured at 33 yards into the City penalty area.

He said: “We are buzzing to be fair, we have given a great account of ourselves there.

“I actually believe we had them rattled when it was 1-0. I don’t think Pep was very happy with the throw-in situation.

“He was eyeballing me. It felt good to be under his skin a bit, which is what we needed to do to give ourselves a chance.”