Spurs Stun The Etihad Again As Johnson And Palhinha Strikes Sink Manchester City

How to rally Tottenham aft nan Eberechi Eze farrago: move up astatine Manchester City and mastermind a ascendant 2-0 triumph that takes your broadside to nan apical of nan Premier League, for a fewer hours astatine least.

By doing truthful Thomas Frank issued a good calling paper regarding his professionalism, and suggested his Spurs task will beryllium arsenic strategical arsenic Ange Postecoglou’s was gung-ho. Witnessing really nan visitors caused Pep Guardiola’s men headaches each day caused 1 wag to mobility if Eze mightiness alteration his mind (again) astir which nine to join.

Spurs missed a number of chances but were acold much cutthroat than their hosts, arsenic Brennan Johnson and João Palhina’s opening play goals took them backmost to northbound London pinch nan points.

João Palhinha is congratulated aft making it 2-0 to Spurs conscionable earlier half-time, nan Portuguese midfielder’s first extremity for nan club. Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images

City were conscionable not allowed to bask immoderate rhythm. Instead they were a discordant bunch who kept uncovering a Spurs subordinate rushing up to undermine their composure.

Towards nan end, Jérémy Doku wriggled done and recovered his chap substitute Phil Foden but Micky van de Ven chopped nan shot away. Moments after, Bernardo Silva, astatine a tight angle, headed connected to nan tile of nan net.

“Good vibes” was Guardiola’s explanation of nan temper arsenic City hoped to banish nan spectre of past November’s 4-0 humiliation present by Spurs, though an sick augury came early successful a Rico Lewis-James Trafford mix-up. Hesitation betwixt nan right-back and nan caller goalkeeper, preferred to Ederson, allowed Richarlison to pounce. While City escaped, Trafford’s capacity was 1 to watch.

Before this Pedro Porro committed a howler for nan visitors: nan right-back’s header backmost for Guglielmo Vicario was weak, Oscar Marmoush took complete and shot, but nan Spurs No 1 saved.

Marmoush was fashioned different opening erstwhile Erling Haaland lit up nan title pinch a bulldozing tally that splayed those successful black. After a fortunate ricochet erstwhile challenged, nan centre-forward slipped successful nan Egyptian: he took a glimpse and unloaded but Vicario repelled.

Guardiola ever enthuses astir Frank’s managerial smarts and 35 minutes successful nan Dane showed really he already has Spurs drilled. Along nan correct Mohammed Kudus outfoxed Rúben Dias and put Richarlison through. The Brazilian ran forward, squared for Johnson, and nan No 22 hit Trafford: nan changeable was adjacent to nan keeper but was deed difficult truthful whitethorn declare mitigation if Guardiola scolds him astir it.

The emblem went up but nan semi-automatic offside exertion showed Richarlison had been onside. The extremity stood, and Spurs’ celebrations were soon to double.

Now, Trafford’s shakiness came location to roost. The keeper dawdled erstwhile playing retired from his goal, yet plumping for Nico González. The No 14 did not want it delivered adjacent to his punishment spot anyhow but Trafford passed only to Pape Matar Sarr, nan shot went to Richarlison. He tried to sprout but failed, though nan fantabulous Joao Palhinha did, driving nan shot location connected his afloat debut.

City were a messiness and Guardiola’s determination to take Trafford complete Ederson formed arsenic quaint, nevertheless nan Brazilian views his early (he whitethorn time off for Galatasaray) – he is still an employee, aft all.

The disarray of those successful bluish was summed up by 2 moments astatine nan different end. Attack is expected to beryllium their forte. But first Rayan Cherki aped a pub subordinate by hitting nan first defender from a corner; past Haaland headed nan aforesaid player’s transportation to nan heavens pinch Vicario’s extremity gaping.

City’s backline had been disrupted by nan 23rd-minute wounded to Rayan Aït-Nouri but he was replaced by Nathan Aké, a treble-winner, truthful this offered nary mitigation for nan first-half scary show.

The adjacent clip Trafford took nan shot pinch Spurs astatine adjacent quarters he coolly (and advisedly) launched a 50-yard walk for Marmoush, but nan wideman slipped and Guardiola spun distant successful disgust. The guidance showed really bitty his side’s patterns were. At play successful Spurs’ ascendancy was City’s greater shot stock (60-40) not transmitting into nan relentless pass-and-move of their finest years.

Pep Guardiola shows his vexation arsenic his broadside gaffe to a worrying defeat. Photograph: Darren Staples/AFP/Getty Images

Instead of fluency, Guardiola’s men hoped to prosper connected scraps and moments. One came erstwhile Vicario did an unwitting belief of Trafford: nan keeper passed sideways and adjacent extremity to Van de Ven, who must person cursed nan Italian arsenic he had Bobb for company. The Norwegian pilfered possession and tapped to Haaland, who passed to Cherki; astatine close-range nan Frenchman went to propulsion nan trigger but Palhinha, Spurs’ prima act, snuffed retired nan danger.

Guardiola began nan time pinch nary Foden, Rodri, Silva, Doku and Ederson (all substitutes), positive Manuel Akanji (left retired wholly for tactical reasons), yet could still section Haaland, Cherki, Marmoush, Tijjani Reijnders, and Bobb.

By nan 54th-minute Cherki and Marmoush were hooked – for Silva and Doku – and still City were amateurish. Example: astatine a area nan shot popped up sweetly for Rico Lewis to fto alert from extracurricular nan area – he did, into nan gods.

In nan 74th-minute Foden and Rodri wandered connected – nan Spaniard for his first action since being injured successful City’s 4-3 Al-Hilal Club World Cup knockout successful early July.

Instantly, Rodri leaped to meet a area and headed only into Vicario’s gloves.