Man City v Tottenham live: Spurs claim statement result in Premier League shock
Manchester City 0-2 Tottenham: First-half goals from Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha gave Thomas Frank a dream first away win
Tottenham claimed a statement win under Thomas Frank as they won 2-0 against Manchester City at the Etihad to condemn Pep Guardiola’s side to an early home defeat.
First-half goals from Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha lifted the mood around Spurs after a week that saw Frank’s side miss out on the signing of Eberechi Eze to rivals Arsenal.
Disaster struck for City goalkeeper James Trafford as his wayward pass was punished by Palhinha to double Tottenham’s lead and leave the hosts with a mountain to climb.
Erling Haaland missed a good chance before the break but City were limited to few chances after half time as a defensively resilient Spurs side protected their advantage.
Rodri made his long-awaited return from injury from the bench but City fell to a disappointing defeat after starting their campaign with a 4-0 win at Wolves.
There was delight for new Spurs boss Frank, however, as the visitors made it two wins out of two to start the season for the first time in four years. Relive the action from the Etihad below
The key Thomas Frank difference to Tottenham’s statement win at Man City
Lads, it’s Thomas Frank’s Tottenham. A statement result for a new regime came at the ground that staged the most glorious triumph of Angeball. If Frank’s 2-0 win is statistically less impressive than Ange Postecoglou’s 4-0 evisceration of Manchester City last season, it came in a manner to suggest that this Tottenham Hotspur are built on sturdier foundations.
The key Thomas Frank difference to Tottenham’s statement win at Man City
Thomas Frank continues flying start to life at Tottenham
Thomas Frank’s flying start to life as Tottenham boss continued as Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha secured an impressive victory at Manchester City on an afternoon to forget for James Trafford.
Both sides hit the ground running on the opening weekend of the Premier League season as Spurs beat Burnley 3-0 and City won 4-0 at Wolves, with more goals expected on Saturday given these sides’ recent Etihad Stadium meetings.
Spurs scored four without reply at City last season and this time celebrated a 2-0 triumph as on-loan Palhinha capitalised on a mistake by home debutant Trafford shortly after Johnson had opened the scoring.
It was an impressive response to the disappointment of their move for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze being hijacked by Arsenal and allowed the away fans to gleefully chant “we are top of the league”.
Opportunity for Tottenham to build momentum
Tottenham’s next two games are at home to Bournemouth and away to West Ham, so a good opportunity for Thomas Frank and his players to keep up their early momentum.
Familiar issues for Man City and Pep Guardiola?
An interesting run of games coming up for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side were impressive in their 4-0 win at Wolves last weekend but a home defeat to Tottenham revealed some of their issues from last season.
Their next three games in the Premier League are Brighton away, Manchester United at home, and Arsenal away.
Ruben Dias: 'The second goal cannot happen'
Ruben Dias reflects on Manchester City making a “frustrating” start to the season with a home defeat to Tottenham.
“Spurs are a team who can be very dangerous, they started the game very well. We didn't react the best way in sticking to our game.
“The second goal is unfortunate, it cannot happen.
“We chased but there was a lot of things to do better. Not everything was good in our first game and not everything is bad now so we have to get back to work."
Joao Palhinha: 'It wasn't easy but we deserved the victory'
Joao Palhinha has just given Thomas Frank a big boost by revealing how pivotal the new Tottenham manager was to his decision to come to Spurs.
He tells TNT Sports: "First of all, the coach who pushed me to come here and showed me the project he has here at Tottenham.”
Palhinha adds: "We deserved the victory. It was really important for us to get this victory, it wasn't easy but we're really happy.
"The coach wished me to come here, showed me the project, it's a great club. I'm really pleased to be back in the Premier League and I want to enjoy it again."
How Tottenham won at Man City
Look away Man City fans.
Both goals are an absolute disaster from a defensive perspective.
GOAL! Man City 0-1 Tottenham (JOHNSON 36')
GOAL! Man City 0-2 Tottenham (PALHINHA 45+2)
Tottenham win back-to-back games at Man City
Tottenham have won back-to-back games at Manchester City in the Premier League, becoming just the second team to do that to a Pep Guardiola side after Manchester United in 2019-20 and 2020-21.
The difference to last season’s 4-0 win is that what Frank has got from his players feels sustainable.
Impressive Joao Palhinha leads new-look Spurs
Joao Palhinha was immense today. A physical defensive monster in midfield, just as he was at Fulham.
It’s amazing that it just didn’t work out for him at Bayern Munich because he looks as if he could be one of the signings of the season already.
FULL TIME! Man City 0-2 Tottenham
Tottenham have started a Premier League season with back-to-back clean sheets, after only keeping six across 38 games last season.
Thomas Frank becomes the second manager to win away at Manchester City in the Premier League with two different clubs.
Tottenham go top of the Premier League too as Frank soaks up the ovation from the travelling fans, who are once again enjoying their day out at the Etihad.
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