Manchester City’s impressive start to the new season came to a halt on Sunday afternoon at White Hart Lane as Pep Guardiola’s men suffered their first defeat after 11 matches in 2016-17 campaign.
Tottenham fought bravely against Citizens to earn well deserved three points which have put great spice on Premier League title race with three teams at the top of the table separated by only two points.
Aleksandar Kolarov scored an own goal and Dele Alli capitalised on Heung-Min Son’s brilliant assist in the first half to set the final score of the game.
Tottenham came out on top in the pick of the week in the Premier League and here you can read the in-depth match report of this cracker at White Hart Lane:
Team News
Mauricio Pochettino continued with in-form Heung-Min Son as lone striker in place of injured Harry Kane, while the Spurs boss also opted to field a five-man midfield in order to take full advantage of creative qualities of Eric Lamela and Christian Eriksen, supported by industrious Moussa Sissoko.As for the visiting team, Pep Guardiola decided to stick with Stones and Otamendi in the centre of the defence leaving Aleksandar Kolarov on the back for the occasion.
The Citizens were without their creative string of Kevin De Bruyne and captain Vincent Kompany who are still struggling with injuries, while Nolito was suspended for the event, leaving Guardiola with limited choices upfront.
First Half
Mauricio Pochettino gave Pep Guardiola a taste of his own medicine straight from the start of the high-profile match at White Hart Lane.Spurs were tirelessly pressing the visitors, getting right in their faces from the off. With only 20 seconds on the clock Heung-Min Son fashioned a great goal scoring chance, but his effort flashed wide of Bravo’s goal.
The hosts did not wait too long to capitalise on their dominant play with Victor Wanyama putting in impressive work in the midfield to win back possession and launch a counter attack for Danny Rose who swung a delightful cross into the box which Aleksandar Kolarov sliced into his own net after only ten minutes in the game.
Tottenham continued to press, not allowing Citizens a chance to settle and had plenty of chances to score a second goal early in the game.
Korean international Son with five goals in five games heading into the Sunday’s encounter was the most agile of all Spurs’ players, constantly trying to capitalise on his incredible form. He failed to convert his couple of shots, but was crucial in the build-up of Spurs’ second goal after 37 minutes.
Son picked out Dele Alli with a fine through-ball in the box which Englishman had no problems tucking in past Bravo for a comfortable lead after extremely dominant 45 minutes.
Second Half
Manchester City showed signs of getting back in the contest, with Sergio Aguero coming close to scoring after six minutes into the second half when he released a fine shot inside the box against the post, but Tottenham were impressive on and off the ball, controlling proceedings from start to finish.Hosts could have nailed the coffin for the visitors after 65 minutes when referee Marriner signalled a penalty kick after Fernandinho committed a foul inside the area, but Erik Lamela’s effort was denied by in-form Claudio Bravo.
The Citizens held ball to their feet for much of the second half, dominating the possession as they attempted to get back in the game. Second-half substitution Kelechi Iheanacho came close to scoring on 76 minutes as he received a precise pass inside the box and sent a promising strike toward Lloris’ goal, but Spurs shot stopper pulled out a great save to deny him.
Visitors had the best chance three minutes later with Sergio Aguero collecting a pass on the edge of the box and unleashing a shot brilliantly blocked by Lloris.
Mauricio Pochettino’s spent a great deal of the closing stages defending without breaking into noticeable attacks as Manchester City asked plenty of questions with ten minutes on the clock, but Spurs’ defence stood right up to the task until the very end.
Statistical Overview
- City controlled the possession with 60% to Spurs’ 40%
- Evenly distributed shots with Spurs making 13 and City 12 goal attempts
- Tottenham remain the only unbeaten team in the Premier League
- Man City’s 11-match unbeaten run snapped
- Three top Premier League teams are now separated by only 2 points
Unused subs: Davies, Trippier, Vorm, Winks.
MANCHESTER CITY: Bravo 7 – Zabaleta 6.5, Otamendi 6.5, Stones 6.5, Kolarov 5.5 – Fernando 6 (Gundogan), Fernandinho 7 – Navas 6.5 (Iheanacho 6.5), Silva 7, Sterling 6.5 (Sane 6) – Aguero 6.5.
Unused subs: Caballero, Clichy, Garcia, Sagna.
REFEREE: Andre Marriner
Other results this afternoon
Man United 1-1 Stoke
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