With Spurs now the only unbeaten side in the Premier League having beaten Manchester City 2-0 at White Hart Lane, we take a look at the five things we learned from the game.
Tottenham’s Dele Alli celebrates scoring their second goal
Tottenham Hotspur ended Manchester City’s 100% record in the Premier League with a 2-0 win at White Hart Lane, thanks to an Aleksandar Kolarov own goal and a strike from Dele Alli.
Spurs now lie in second place, one point behind league leaders City, and are the only side in the Premier League with an unbeaten record, thanks to the 2-0 win.
This is Spurs best start to a Premier League campaign and the win at White Hart Lane underlines their own title credentials as Mauricio Pochettino’s side inflicted a first league defeat on City in a thrilling encounter.
Spurs dominated the first half as Pep Guardiola’s side struggled to deal with the energetic performance from the home side, particularly in the opening twenty minutes.
In fact, it could have been worse for City had Erik Lamela coverted a penalty in the 65th minute, but Spurs ran out winners, despite coming under increasing pressure late on.
Having seen Pochettino’s set down the marker for their own title credentials, we take a look at the five things we learned from the game.
1. In the opening 45 minutes Spurs were breathtaking
Against City in the opening half Spurs dominated, particularly in the opening twenty minutes, with the home side fully deserving their lead at the break.
City appeared mesmerised by the pressing game Spurs played from the start and had few answers for them.
Despite coming more into the game after the opening twenty minute period, having conceded so early, Guardiola’s side then fell further behind, and from then on the result never looked like it would be going City’s way.
2. Kevin De Bruyne was missed heavily
Much was made before the game of how both teams would cope without their star players, and Spurs coped better without Harry Kane, than City did without De Bruyne.
The loss of the Belgium international hit Guardiola’s side hard as they struggled to create anything of note in the opening twenty minutes as Spurs took the lead.
Guardiola turned to Jesus Navas to fill the void left by the Belgian, and it was clear from the very start that the midfielder was going to be deeply missed.
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne scores their first goal from a free kick
3. Spurs cement title credentials
If there was any doubt going into this game that Spurs were not in a position to mount a genuine title challenge, then the performance against City changed all that.
Against the away side Spurs were energetic and dominated from the start, and could even afford the luxury of missing a penalty as they ran away with the game.
In every area of the pitch Spurs looked like title challengers, and this was without Eric Dier, Harry Kane and Mousa Dembele in their starting lineup.
Tottenham’s Danny Rose celebrates after Manchester City’s Aleksandar Kolarov scores an own goal and the first for Tottenham
4. Kolarov struggled
While Spurs’ start to the game was breathtaking, Kolarov started the game poorly and struggled throughout to deal with the threat of Moussa Sissoko and Kyle walker.
While the defender was not at fault for the goal, having seen it so late, he looked deeply uncomfortable every time he was put under pressure.
This will be a game the defender will want to forget quickly, and not just for his own goal in the 9th minute.
5. Pochettino is performing miracles
Since taking over at Spurs, Pochettino has got them playing a high pressing game, something Guardiola himself looks for his teams to do.
But the Argentine has built his side around this style of play and expects the high energy performance that was displayed against City.
The journey the North London club has taken since Pochettino took over is remarkable, and his side now look like genuine title challengers, something Manchester City may agree upon.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
