By Okafor Joseph Afam
November 23, 2024

Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium, marking their fifth consecutive loss in all competitions. The stunning result also brought an abrupt end to City’s remarkable 52-game unbeaten home streak in the league.

First Half: Maddison’s Magic

Despite a promising atmosphere following Pep Guardiola’s contract extension, City were caught off guard early by a vibrant Spurs side. James Maddison, celebrating his birthday, struck twice within the opening 20 minutes. His first was a sublime volley off Dejan Kulusevski’s pinpoint cross, while his second came via a delicate chip over Ederson after a brilliant cutback from Son Heung-min.

City’s defensive vulnerabilities were glaring as Tottenham controlled the pace and created numerous chances. At the other end, Guglielmo Vicario denied Erling Haaland twice to keep Spurs firmly in control.

Second Half: Spurs Dominate

City faced the uphill task of overturning a two-goal deficit, a feat they famously achieved against Spurs in January 2023. However, Tottenham had no intention of repeating history.

In the 52nd minute, a swift counter-attack saw Dominic Solanke set up Pedro Porro, who lashed home a first-time shot into the far corner. City’s frustrations grew as Haaland and Ilkay Gundogan were thwarted by Vicario’s brilliance, with Haaland also grazing the crossbar.

Tottenham sealed the rout in stoppage time when substitutes Timo Werner and Brennan Johnson combined. Werner’s pace on the left created space for a low cross, which Johnson coolly converted at the back post.

City’s Struggles Continue

The loss dealt a severe blow to City’s title defense. They remain five points behind Liverpool, who could extend their lead to eight points with a win over Southampton on Sunday. This marked City’s third consecutive league defeat, raising questions about their form and title hopes.

Spurs’ Resurgence

For Tottenham, this victory was a statement. After consecutive losses, they climbed to sixth in the table, just three points off third-placed Chelsea and four behind second-placed City. Ange Postecoglou’s high-energy, attacking philosophy was on full display as Spurs outclassed their opponents.

Man of the Match: James Maddison

Maddison’s clinical finishing and all-round play defined the match. With two goals, he was instrumental in Spurs’ dominance, epitomizing the creative spark that fueled their attack.

Key Stats

Possession: Man City 63% – 37% Spurs

Shots on Target: Man City 6 – 8 Spurs

Saves: Guglielmo Vicario (Spurs) – 5, Ederson (City) – 2

Corners: Man City 7 – 4 Spurs

Tottenham’s victory is a testament to their resurgence under Postecoglou, while City face an uphill battle to regain their form and stay in the title race.