Manchester City F.C.
·23 novembre 2024
Manchester City F.C.
·23 novembre 2024
City's long unbeaten home run - stretching back to November 2022 - has come to an end with a 4-0 loss to Tottenham.
Little went the Blues ' way with the visitors clinical with their opportunities, while only five of City's 23 attempts were on target.
James Maddison scored two first-half goals, Pedro Porro added a third early in the second period and Timo Werner bagged a fourth in added time as the North London side became the first side to win at the Etihad since Brentford two years ago.
There was plenty of optimism before kick-off with the Club and fans paying tribute to Rodri as the Spaniard was presented to the Etihad.
With Pep Guardiola's new two-year contract extension also providing a much-needed fillip, there was almost an air of expectancy as the game began.
Indeed, City started brightly and pinned Spurs back in the opening exchanges.
Savinho coasted past his marker before setting up Erling Haaland who saw his shot deflected wide.
On 11 minutes, Haaland went even closer when he fired a shot that Vicario did well to save with his feet.
Withing two minutes, however, Spurs were ahead with their first attack of the game.
Dejan Kulusevski – so often a thorn in City’s side – won possession on the right and curled in a low cross that found James Maddison in the six-yard box and the former Leicester midfielder lifted the ball over Ederson to give his team the lead.
The Blues were still licking their wounds when Tottenham doubled their advantage on 20 minutes as a combination of Son and Maddison saw the latter score his second of the game with a deft finish from close range.
City hadn’t played badly, but Spurs had been clinical with their finishing, while the Blues had not.
There were more half-chances for City to find a way back into the game but either Vicario or wayward finishing ensured the visitors went in at the break with a two-goal advantage.
Nathan Ake replaced John Stones for the start of the second-half, but within seven minutes of the restart, a sweeping move from Tottenham saw Pedro Porro make it 3-0.
As hard as it was to take, the City fans rallied behind the team. knowing just one goal could spark something special.
Just before the hour-mark, Haaland won possession on the right of the box and fired a fierce shot that skimmed off the top of the crossbar.
To add to the frustration, Spurs players repeatedly went to ground after being challenged, with no action taken.
Sub Timo Werner scored a fourth in added time to rub salt in the. wounds
All in all, a disappointing way to end a magnificent run on home soil.
CITY: Ederson, Walker (C), Stones, (Ake 46), Akanji, Gvardiol, Lewis (Grealish 74), Gundogan, Bernardo, Savinho (De Bruyne 74), Foden, Haaland
Subs: Ortega, Nunes, Wright, Simpson-Pusey, O’Reilly, McAtee
TOTTENHAM: Vicario, Udogie (Spence 90), Davies, Drăgușin, Porro, Bissouma, Sarr, (Bergvall 90) Son Heung-Min (Johnson 63), Maddison (Werner 89), Kulusevski, Solanke
Subs: Forster, Gray, Hardy, Lankshear. Olusesi
City' remain in second spot in the Premier League, five points adrift of leaders Liverpool who face Southampton on Sunday afternoon.
City return to Champions League action with a home game against Feyenoord on Tuesday, 26 November with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 (UK).
Then it's off to face Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, 1 December, with a kick-off of 16:00 (UK).
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