Manchester City were deservedly beaten by Tottenham in their opening home Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium this season.
Pep Guardiola made two changes from the City side who beat Wolves last week as Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush replaced Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku – with goalkeeper James Trafford keeping his spot despite Ederson’s return.
Ederson missed the Wolves trip with illness as he continues to be linked with a move to Galatasaray, but Trafford’s shaky first half and huge error on the stroke of half-time threw the goalkeeper situation into more chaos.
James Trafford of Manchester City looks dejected during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium
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From a goal kick, Trafford passed to Nico Gonzalez on the edge of the area but Pape Sarr was on hand to dispossess him and Joao Palhinha was on hand to slam in a decisive second goal for Tottenham. And he was not the only player who may be dropped for next week’s trip to Brighton.
James Trafford could be dropped amid Ederson uncertainty
Trafford’s error and overall performance will lead to him being under fire this week ahead of the Premier League trip to Brighton.
Ederson could still leave City but remains available for selection and there will be extra scrutiny on his position after Trafford’s struggles.
Perhaps taking Trafford out of the firing line will help him, as well as restoring confidence at the back given Ederson’s extensive experience with the ball at his feet.
Nico Gonzalez also at fault for Tottenham goal against Man City
While Trafford will attract the criticism, he was not the only Manchester City player at fault for Palhinha’s goal. Ruben Dias took the goal kick and gave it to Trafford in the centre of the goal, with Gonzalez coming short to ask for the ball despite being marked.
TNT Sports co-commentator Ally McCoist slammed Gonzalez for his role in the goal and he regressed on his promising performance at Wolves last week.
Manchester City FC v Newcastle United FC - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
With Rodri back on the bench and Bernardo Silva also coming on against Tottenham, Guardiola could revert to a more familiar midfield combination at Brighton that better accommodates Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders.
Oscar Bobb could be unlucky player to drop out after Tottenham disaster
City’s struggles against Tottenham were not down to Oscar Bobb, but he was the player replaced in the second half for Phil Foden and Guardiola may look to restore Foden at Brighton to get back to winning ways.
Bobb has been a bright spark in the opening two games, however Foden is a more established name and looking to improve on last season’s personal struggles.
With Omar Marmoush and Jeremy Doku battling for a spot on the opposite flank, Bobb’s mini-run in the team could be set to end to provide more balance to Guardiola’s attack.