Tottenham Hotspur beat a defensively shaky Manchester City 2-0 in their Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The home side shaded the early stages. After being put through by Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush had a very presentable opportunity, but Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario saved well. Yet it was Spurs who had the ball in the net first. Richarlison broke down the flank and delivered into the path of Brennan Johnson, who smashed the ball home. VAR checked for offside, but the goal was given.
City's insistence on playing out from the back saw Spurs double their lead. James Trafford then played a pass inside his penalty area that Spurs intercepted. In an attempt to atone for his error, Trafford swiped the ball away from the path of Richarlison, but Palhinha hammered in the loose ball. Spurs went into the break 2-0 up, with City looking vulnerable at the back.
City had their moments in the second-half, but overall they struggled to put any cohesive attacks together. When they did have opportunities it was when Spurs were guilty of overplaying in their own penalty area.
With 15 minutes left, Pep Guardiola threw on Rodri and Phil Foden. It was Foden who was denied what appeared to be a certain goal when Micky van de Ven appeared from nowhere to tackle. City may have made many late comebacks at the Etihad, but it wasn't to be on this occasion as Spurs held on for a deserved victory.
Man City v Spurs - Match Statistics
Man City
61%
10
4
7
3
1
Match Highlights
Manchester City Player Ratings
Formation: 4-1-4-1
Pep Guardiola
GK: James Trafford - 3/10
Looked a little nervy in the early stages and made a calamitous error leading to Spurs' second goal.
RB: Rico Lewis - 6/10
A few instances where he didn't communicate as effectively as he would have liked with his goalkeeper.
CB: John Stones - 6/10
City would have been pleased to see him back but the England international wasn't able to inspire his colleagues sufficiently.
CB: Ruben Dias - 6/10
Still looked to be struggling with City's tactics of playing a high line.
LB: Rayan Ait-Nouri - 5/10
Looked disconsolate at having to come off after only 23 minutes due to injury.
DM: Nico Gonzalez - 5/10
Performances like this remind us what a good player Rodri is.
AM: Rayan Cherki - 5/10
Struggled to have any real meaningful impact in the match as he looks to settle in England. Subbed off in the second period.
AM: Tijjani Reijnders - 6/10
Not as influential as he was at Molineux against Wolves.
RW: Oscar Bobb - 5/10
Another player in a blue jersey who struggled to impose himself in the game.
CF: Erling Haaland - 6/10
Looked to try and rouse his teammates, but even that proved to be a struggle.
LW: Omar Marmoush - 5/10
Had opportunities to score in the first-half, but he could not take them. Taken off in the second-half.
SUB: Nathan Ake - 6/10
Brought on 23 minutes in after the injury to Ait-Nouri.
SUB: Bernando Silva - 6.5/10
Made a few enticing deliveries into the Spurs penalty area and perhaps should have started.
SUB: Jeremy Doku - 5/10
Didn't really have an impact on the game.
SUB: Rodri - 5/10
Brought on late in the game.
SUB: Phil Foden - 5/10
With Rodri, given the last 15 minutes.
Tottenham Player Ratings
Formation: 4-3-3
Btennan Johnson GK: Guglielmo Vicario - 6/10
Performed well and made several good saves, but he too was guilty of overplaying with his feet in his own penalty area.
RB: Pedro Porro - 6.5/10
Assured as ever in the right-back position.
CB: Micky van de Ven - 7/10
Looked imperious at times. With his pace he's virtually impossible to run past.
CB: Cristian Romero - 6.5/10
Showed his usual muscular leadership in the defensive line.
LB: Djed Spence - 7/10
Had some joy down the flank against City and put in a hard-working performance.
RM: Pape Sarr - 7/10
Full of energy and was in the thick of it to make James Trafford's life difficult in the first period. Generally showed great energy in his pressing
CM: Joao Palhinha - 6.5/10
Grew up in confidence after smashing Spurs into a 2-0 lead.
LM: Rodrigo Bentancur - 6.5/10
Had to work hard as City turned up the heat to try get back in the game.
RW: Mohammed Kudus - 6.5/10
Made himself available for the ball without setting the world on fire, but put in a high work rate.
CF: Richarlison - 7.5/10
Broke the City offside trap with a great run and assisted Johnson to put Spurs ahead. The often maligned figure put in a hard-working performance ti inspire victory.
LW: Brennan Johnson - 6.5/10
Provided an assured finish to put Spurs into the lead.
SUB Dominic Solanke - 5/10
Came on for the hardworking Richarlison to give Spurs fresh legs up front.
SUB: Wilson Odobert - 5/10
Had an opportunity to make it three for Spurs but saw his effort go narrowly wide.
SUB: Lucas Bergvall - 5/10
Made a late cameo, but saw plenty of the ball.
SUB: Kevin Danso - 5/10
Brought on in the closing moments.