How Tottenham Pull Off Stunning Victory Over City: Postecoglou’s Masterstroke | OneFootball

Tottenham’s Statement Victory Over Manchester City: A New Dawn for Postecoglou’s Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur’s stunning 4-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium will go down as one of the most remarkable results in their recent history. After a fortnight of distractions—losing to Ipswich Town, controversy over an appeal for Rodrigo Bentancur’s ban, and even a rebranding of their club badge—Spurs made a statement of intent with a performance that not only defied expectations but also cemented their potential under Ange Postecoglou.

Maddison Shines in Key Performance

The star of the night was undoubtedly James Maddison, whose two first-half goals put Spurs 2-0 up within the opening 20 minutes. Despite a rocky start to the season, where his form had fluctuated, Maddison stepped up in a game where defensive work was crucial. As Postecoglou noted in The Athletic, “He was really good for us earlier in the season and he had a couple of flat games, but the whole team has.” The two-week international break proved to be beneficial for Maddison, who spent the time working intensively with the coaching staff. His all-round performance against City was excellent—intercepting key passes, making intelligent tackles, and delivering the final touch when needed.

Maddison’s self-belief was evident as he reflected on his performance: “I feel really good. I never have any doubt in myself. Sometimes you go through tough times, I had a couple of bad games, but I have the self-belief to know I am going to come through that and be there for my team and I was today.” This confidence, coupled with his leadership on the pitch, made a massive difference in a game that demanded both skill and resilience.

Photo: IMAGO

Kulusevski and Spurs’ Counter-Attacking Excellence

While Maddison grabbed the headlines, Dejan Kulusevski also played a pivotal role in Spurs’ triumph. The Sweden international had been deployed in a central attacking midfield role earlier in the season but was returned to his favoured right wing for this game. Kulusevski’s creativity and ability to exploit space in behind City’s high defensive line were key in exploiting the gaps that opened up. His contributions were not limited to his goal threat—he assisted in Spurs’ quick transitions, capitalising on City’s aggressive press.

Kulusevski himself recognised the unique challenges City posed, noting, “City have a lot of the ball, so sometimes we can rest when we defend. There’s also so much space up there, we play one against one and then it’s always dangerous because we have a lot of quality.” His sharpness in counter-attacking situations, particularly in the second half when Pedro Porro scored to make it 3-0, showcased how Spurs capitalised on City’s vulnerability during transitions.

Postecoglou’s Tactical Brilliance

Spurs’ victory was as much about their tactical approach as it was about individual brilliance. Postecoglou had previously admitted that he needed to reflect on his approach following the disappointing loss to Ipswich. The international break allowed him time to tweak his strategy, and the decision to field Maddison was one of the first signs of his tactical acumen. In a game that required solid defending and quick transitions, Postecoglou’s adjustments worked wonders.

One of the key elements of Tottenham’s performance was the collective defending. Even without first-choice centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, Spurs defended resolutely. Ben Davies, usually a full-back, started alongside Radu Dragusin, a decision that may have raised eyebrows before kick-off. But as Postecoglou remarked, “When you play City, you can’t rely on individuals to find solutions…we had to do it as a collective.” Davies and Dragusin, despite their inexperience in central defence, were excellent in keeping Erling Haaland at bay, while goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario’s positioning and communication were crucial.

Photo: IMAGO

Defining Moment for Spurs

Tottenham’s 4-0 win over Manchester City is not just another impressive result—it could be the moment that defines Postecoglou’s reign. Spurs have often been a club of inconsistency, but the magnitude of this result gives fans hope that they are finally on the right path. This was not just a win; it was a statement of intent. As Postecoglou noted, “We knew we were going to have to defend at different times, and with Kulusevski and Sonny out there, I thought if we could get the ball to them really early, City are pretty aggressive with their approach.” This approach paid off, as Spurs capitalised on their counter-attacks with clinical precision.

The victory against City comes just weeks after Spurs were held to a draw by the same team at home. If Postecoglou can maintain this level of performance and avoid the false dawns that have plagued Spurs in recent seasons, then there is a real chance for the club to push for top-four contention and more under his stewardship.

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This performance against Manchester City will be remembered as one of the club’s greatest in recent years. The way Postecoglou has transformed the side, building a squad that plays with such confidence and tactical discipline, is refreshing. What makes this result even more impressive is the fact that Spurs managed it without two of their most reliable defenders in Van de Ven and Romero. The makeshift centre-back partnership of Davies and Dragusin could easily have been exposed, but Postecoglou’s faith in them paid off.

James Maddison’s resurgence is another highlight. After a period of uncertainty, he stepped up when his team needed him most. His two goals were important, but his overall contribution to the team’s pressing and defensive work proved that he is capable of being a key figure for Spurs moving forward. Dejan Kulusevski’s influence is also growing, and his ability to make the most of counter-attacks against such a high-pressing team like City demonstrates his importance to Spurs’ future.

This is a pivotal moment for Tottenham. They have shown that they can compete with the best, and if they maintain this level of performance, the top four is well within their reach. This victory could be the springboard for something more significant under Postecoglou.