Pep Guardiola has told BBC Sport that Tottenham Hotspur have a ‘special quality’ to create chances out of nothing.
Tottenham have been criticised for playing too defensively by many this season, with Jose Mourinho’s style of play coming under fire.
However, Spurs have actually had a fairly impressive record against City in recent times.
Tottenham have won the last two Premier League matches between the two sides on their home ground.
Guardiola admits that he was wary of the threat that Tottenham posed on the counter.
But he was delighted with the way his side dealt with Tottenham’s attacking talents on Saturday.
He said: “Well deserved. We concede and hit the post and sometimes this situation can turn [the match].
“Tottenham have a special quality. We we have played the last two years away at Tottenham, we create a lot of chances and play good – but they have two or three chances and win 2-0.
“This is a talent, this is a quality we know they have. They don’t need anything to create chances.
“This is a talent, this is a quality.
“I said we are going to concede counter attacks, they are going to have chances, but you have to be patient, patient, patient.”
City limited Tottenham to half-chances on Saturday, as they thoroughly dominated the contest.
Harry Kane did strike the post and Gareth Bale went close late on, but Spurs were second best throughout, in what was another worryingly poor display from Mourinho’s men.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
