Manchester City were left stunned as Tottenham Hotspur secured their first statement win of the Thomas Frank era with a fully deserved win, and humbling of Pep Guardiola’s team at the Etihad Softfootball reports.
There had been a lot of excited talk about Guardiola’s rejuvenated and revitalised side after the opening victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, but we saw a lot of the old defensive problems in this home defeat.
Spurs’ game plan was a straightforward one, looking to exploit City’s high defensive line, but they executed it perfectly, the speed and directness of Mohammed Kudus and Brennan Johnson out wide complementing Richarlison through the middle.
City appeared to have things largely under control for half an hour but they did not create much and fell apart when John Stones slipped in the City defence, Richarlison burst clear before squaring for Brennan Johnson to strike on the counter-attack for Thomas Frank’s side.
Disaster then struck for goalkeeper James Trafford as his wayward pass was punished by Joao Palhinha to double Tottenham’s lead and leave Pep Guardiola with a mountain to climb.
Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad 😏 pic.twitter.com/b6Zvfd5Byb
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 23, 2025
It was not a home debut Trafford will remember fondly. With City’s former number one Ederson on the bench, the England international has, surprisingly, been made first choice following his return from Burnley.
Manchester City’s 11-match unbeaten run in the league is over and after the weekend matches, they are likely to slip back towards midtable in the early Premier League table.
