Manchester City vs Tottenham LIVE
Tottenham stunned Man City with a shock 2-0 win over Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday lunchtime. Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha were the goalscorers as the north Londoners made it two wins from two at the start of the new Premier League campaign.
New manager Thomas Frank was brave in his team selection, plumping for a back four which excelled, while his midfield trio had bite, legs, and dogged determination as they battled to a big three points. Johnson opened the scoring in the first half as Spurs profited from John Stones’ slip, with Richarlison peeling off the back of the defender to hare onto a pass into the right channel. Johnson raced into the box in support, and the Brazilian picked him out to slot home and put them a goal to the good.
It was two before the break as Palhinha slammed in after James Trafford, making his home debut for City, gave the ball away as he put Nico in a world of trouble in his own box. The Spaniard was converged on quickly by the indefatigable Pape Matar Sarr, who robbed the midfielder, and Palhinha lashed home emphatically to seal victory.
Man City vs Tottenham latest news
- Haaland misses golden opportunity
- Palhinha doubles lead
- Johnson opens scoring
- Marmoush denied by Vicario
- How to watch: TNT Sports
Palhinha reveals key Frank conversation that lured him to Spurs
15:20 , Oli GentJoao Palhinha told TNT Sports that Thomas Frank was a big factor in his decision to join Spurs on loan.
The midfielder arrived in north London on loan from Bayern Munich this summer, and has started superbly, scoring this afternoon.
Spurs player ratings
14:42 , Oli GentWho top-scored for Spurs today?
Matt Verri was on hand to rate each of the players’ performances...
Full time: Man City 0-2 Tottenham
14:30 , Oli GentWhat a superb display that was from Spurs. They showed grit, determination, and fight, as well as some really attacking quality when it mattered. Things are auguring well under the new boss.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
14:28 , Oli Gent90+2 mins: Close! Solanke runs clear and forces a stop from Trafford, and then Sarr has a pop with a header, and he’s denied by Trafford acrobatically!
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
14:26 , Oli Gent90 mins: Four added minutes. Kevin Danso is coming on for Palhinha. There’s the back five.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
14:25 , Oli Gent88 mins: Some City fans have seen enough. They’re heading for the exits.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
14:24 , Oli Gent82 mins: City are looking to probe, but they’re being shut out by a superb Spurs defence. What a performance it’s been.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
14:14 , Oli Gent79 mins: Close! That is superb defending from Van de Ven! Porro has a nibble at Doku, who slides in Foden. The England international thinks he’s got a tap-in, but Van de Ven slides in in the nick of time!
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
14:12 , Oli Gent77 mins: Wilson Odobert and Dominic Solanke replace Brennan Johnson and Richarlison.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
14:12 , Oli Gent76 mins: Close! Rodri almost makes an instant impact as he meets a corner, but he nods it straight at Vicario! That’s City’s first attempt on target in the second half.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
14:10 , Oli Gent75 mins: Two changes for City. Rodri and Foden are on for Bobb and Nico.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
14:08 , Oli Gent73 mins: Pape Sarr has covered every blade of grass in that more advanced role in Spurs’ midfield. He has been everywhere.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
14:05 , Oli Gent70 mins: Close! Silva puts in a lovely inswinger, Dias glances it on, and it deflects behind for a corner! Reijnders is over it, and it’s knocked away at the near post by Spence.
Matt Verri reports
14:04 , Oli Gent69 mins: Feels like a harsh yellow on Romero. Didn't need to go to ground, but he got a bit of the ball there. Think referee had made his mind up as soon as he saw it was Romero lining that challenge up...
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
14:04 , Oli Gent68 mins: That’s a bit better as they go more direct, and Bobb is challenged hard by Romero on the right side. He lunges in, takes the ball, but is booked and a free kick is given.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
14:03 , Oli Gent67 mins: It’s been a bit slower in the last few minutes, but that will suit Spurs down to a tee. Would they like a third? Yes. Would they settle for what they already have? Absolutely. The Etihad is getting restless with City moving the ball at snail’s pace.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
13:58 , Oli Gent64 mins: Still no Rodri or Phil Foden yet for City. Surely they’ll be coming on at some point, as they both continue to warm up down the touchline.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
13:56 , Oli Gent62 mins: Porro with another delicious free-kick, as Richarlison again makes first contact, rising highest, but he nods over the top.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
13:54 , Oli Gent60 mins: A real chance for Spurs as Lewis goes walkabouts and Richarlison goes haring after the pass down the left channel. Stones comes across to avert the danger!
Matt Verri reports
13:53 , Oli Gent59 mins: Spurs had a five-on-four as they broke there but they never really looked like making something of it. All fairly slow and then a terrible decision from Johnson to go for goal himself. After the experiences in Udine earlier this month, Spurs will be desperate for a third goal.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
13:52 , Oli Gent57 mins: A super delivery from Porro off the right and Richarlison throws himself at it at the far post. He leaps above Lewis, but can’t make clean contact as Trafford claims the loose ball.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
13:49 , Oli Gent55 mins: Two changes for City as Jeremy Doku and Bernardo Silva replace Marmoush and Cherki.
Matt Verri reports
13:49 , Oli Gent54 mins: Without wishing to go full dinosaur, not sure those are the kind of risks Spurs need to be taking in their own box considering the scoreline. In fact I'm certain they're not the kind of risks they need to be taking. Surely have to go more direct.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
13:48 , Oli Gent53 mins: What a mix-up! Spurs survive again as Romero and Vicario crumble under the City press. Cherki is onto Palhinha quickly, and it squirms out for Haaland, and then Cherki again! It’s blocked, but the referee has brought it back for a foul.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
13:47 , Oli Gent52 mins: Better from City as it’s worked out to Bobb on the right. Reijnders is in support, but it’s all too tight from the hosts’ perspective. Spurs are really suffocating them at present.
Matt Verri reports
13:44 , Oli Gent49 mins: Think Palhinha celebrated that block more than his goal. Fair enough too, that was a real chance for City. Spurs having to deal with some early pressure in this half.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
13:43 , Oli Gent48 mins: Good block! Lewis is high and wide on the right and looks to get a cross into the box. It comes out for Ake, who steps onto it, takes a touch, and hits one, but Palhinha blocks on the slide.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
13:42 , Oli Gent47 mins: No changes from Guardiola to his City side, although he did take an awful lot of time sending his team out for this second half...
Kick off!
13:40 , Oli Gent46 mins: We are back underway.
Half time
13:25 , Oli GentThere’s the interval. What a first 45 for Spurs! A terrible one for City, where Haaland - besides that late miss - has hardly had a sniff.
What will the second half have in store?
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
13:24 , Oli Gent45+7 mins: Close! What a chance! Cherki sends in a delicious cross and Haaland meets it with a header, but it’s over the top!
Matt Verri reports
13:22 , Oli Gent45+5 mins: Absurd from City in their own box. Trafford tries a pass that was never on, Sarr right there to win it back. Richarlison can't get the ball out of his feet but Palhinha lashes it in. Spurs enjoying another dream visit to the Etihad so far.
Man City 0-2 Tottenham
13:20 , Oli GentGoal! 45+2 mins: It’s two. and it’s Palhinha! Sarr deserves a lot of credit as he converges on Nico quickly as Trafford plays his colleague into real trouble in his own box. Sarr wrestles it off the Spaniard, and Palhinha slams home.
Man City 0-1 Tottenham
13:17 , Oli Gent45 mins: Seven added minutes.
Matt Verri reports
13:13 , Oli Gent42 mins: Porro doing his best to win a penalty here, staying down as the referee halts play for the VAR review. Somebody might want to tell him it was outside the box. Should have been a free-kick though, City looking very shaky at the back. All came from great work off the ball from Kudus.
Man City 0-1 Tottenham
13:12 , Oli Gent40 mins: Porro is down after a clumsy challenge from Reijnders on the edge of the box. No free kick, and there are boos as he is treated. That’s after Trafford makes a meal of a long punt that is allowed to bounce with Kudus in hot pursuit, but the City keeper deals with it.
Matt Verri reports
13:11 , Oli Gent39 mins: VAR to the rescue for Spurs. The classic Brennan Johnson experience - quiet, barely had a touch... and then pops up and takes his chance in front of goal. That's why he's in the team.
Man City 0-1 Tottenham
13:08 , Oli GentGoal! 37 mins: It’s given! Richarlison was onside, and Spurs lead at the Etihad!
Man City 0-0 Tottenham
13:07 , Oli Gent36 mins: No goal! Spurs think they’ve scored, and Johnson could have made amends for that silly yellow. Richarlison peels off the shoulder of Dias and slides in Johnson, who passes it home! VAR are checking the offside that’s been given...
Matt Verri reports
13:06 , Oli GentJohnson warned about three times to move away from the ball and then decides to kick it away as the referee comes over. Stupid yellow card. Frank turned away and hit himself twice in the face after that.
Man City 0-0 Tottenham
13:05 , Oli Gent34 mins: Cherki and Guardiola are in a conversation, with the young Frenchman wanting more instructions from his manager.
Man City 0-0 Tottenham
13:05 , Oli Gent33 mins: Kudus has been bright, buzzing off the right flank. He’s looking to move more central to get on the ball and make things happen. That is, when Spurs have the ball.
Man City 0-0 Tottenham
13:00 , Oli Gent29 mins: Good save! That is superb from Haaland as he holds the ball up and sends Marmoush through on goal, but Vicario rushes off his line to keep him out!
Matt Verri reports
13:00 , Oli Gent28 mins: Richarlison and Kudus held the ball up really well against PSG in the Super Cup but it's been more of a struggle here. Spurs have been solid at the back but the front players have hardly been involved.
Man City 0-0 Tottenham
12:58 , Oli Gent25 mins: A poor touch from Marmoush as he’s picked out with a switch, but he can’t keep it in play. Guardiola is not happy.
Man City 0-0 Tottenham
12:53 , Oli Gent21 mins: It’s not looking good for Ait-Nouri, who goes down again, and Nathan Ake is coming on for the hosts.
Man City 0-0 Tottenham
12:50 , Oli Gent19 mins: Good save! Marmoush makes space for a shot as he drifts infield and lets one fly from range. Vicario is down well to parry, and Spurs are lucky that the rebound doesn’t fall at Haaland’s feet!
Matt Verri reports
12:48 , Oli Gent17 mins: Injury delay gives Frank a chance to call his players over and he's run over to get his tactics board. Spence and Van de Ven getting particular instructions - both have been pressing right up the pitch deep into the City half so far.
Man City 0-0 Tottenham
12:47 , Oli Gent15 mins: A problem for City with Ait-Nouri down. He’s receiving treatment after a heavy collision with Kudus.
Man City 0-0 Tottenham
12:45 , Oli Gent13 mins: It’s end to end stuff as Trafford is almost caught out by Richarlison’s press. City then streak up the pitch and Marmoush gets to the byline, burning Porro, but Vicario smothers him.
Man City 0-0 Tottenham
12:42 , Oli Gent10 mins: Terrible mix-up at the back for Spurs as Porro gets caught out and Marmoush breaks into the box and is forced wide with a poor touch, and he goes for the shot from the angle, but it dribbles across the face of goal.
Man City 0-0 Tottenham
12:41 , Oli Gent9 mins: Another chance for Spurs as Haaland hauls down Richarlison. Porro is over the set piece, which is in a promising position for a shot here. Kudus is also interested. Porro does strike, but it’s straight into the wall. It comes out to him again on the rebound, but it flashes wide of the post!
Matt Verri reports
12:39 , Oli Gent8 mins: There's been one fairly constant message from Frank on the touchline so far. He is absolutely screaming at his players to push up the pitch at every opportunity, waving his arms furiously. Not come here to sit back.
Man City 0-0 Tottenham
12:38 , Oli Gent6 mins: A chance for Porro to swing a cross in from deep with a free kick about 10 yards into the City half. Bentancur peels away at the far post to knock it down, but Haaland clears.
Man City 0-0 Tottenham
12:35 , Oli Gent4 mins: Free kick, Spurs. Vicario pens Spence in tight to the touchline and the left-back looks to dart infield to evade a challenge, but he’s fouled.
Matt Verri reports
12:34 , Oli Gent2 mins: 50 seconds in and the "We want Levy out" chants start from the away end. Fair to say it's not been the best of weeks for the club off the pitch - chance to at least temporarily lift the mood here.
Kick off!
12:32 , Oli Gent1 min: We are underway.
Matt Verri reports
12:28 , Oli GentNice little firework display as the players walk out. Always very effective at 12:30pm on a cloudy afternoon.
Matt Verri reports
12:27 , Oli GentNot exactly a bouncing atmosphere ahead of kick-off. City announcer is reading out the lineups and the noise is sort of like when a few people decide to clap after a plane lands.
Ten minutes to kick off!
12:22 , Oli GentThe players have headed in, and we are about to begin at the Etihad!
Matt Verri reports
12:12 , Oli GentCan never read too much into the warm-ups... but Romero and Van de Ven have spent the last five minutes pinging 60 yard passes to each other. Would be surprised if we saw Spurs playing out from the back too much this afternoon.
The big team news!
12:10 , Oli GentIlkay Gundogan and Manuel Akanji are both omitted from Guardiola’s squad with their futures at the Etihad Stadium uncertain.
Both have had interest from Turkey in their services, while Ederson, who Galatasaray bid for last week, is benched in favour of new signing James Trafford.
Spurs team analysis
12:00 , Oli GentAs for Spurs, it’s not the 3-5-2 we thought we’d see.
Instead, Frank has gone for a back four. Is that a brave decision? Who knows. What we do know, however, is that he does have his first-choice centre-back pairing available to him, and that will be crucial to keeping Haaland quiet. In a sense, they have the perfect duo to give it a go, with Cristian Romero the aggressive marker who can get tight to the striker in the physical battle, while Van de Ven has the recovery pace to match the Norwegian stride for stride.
The legs and energy of Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Pape Matar Sarr will be pivotal in the engine room as they look to overpower the silky City trio.
The pace of Brennan Johnson, Mohammed Kudus, and Richarlison on the break could be the visitors’ key weapon.
Man City team analysis
11:46 , Oli GentLet’s dissect the two teams, shall we?
Seems like a pretty standard 4-2-3-1 from the hosts, but with Guardiola, it’s never as simple as it seems.
It’s Rico Lewis and Rayan Ait-Nouri again at full- back, so expect the former to drift infield and invert as he so often does. Ait-Nouri will be instructed to hold the width a bit more, with Omar Marmoush on the left looking to cut inside and create shooting opportunities and get closer to the box.
In the engine room, Nico and Tijjani Reijnders continue as the double pivot, but it’s Rayan Cherki who comes in as the No10, and he will be given licence to roam behind Erling Haaland, looking to send the big Norwegian clear on goal with his pace in behind.
Matt Verri reports
11:30 , Oli GentWe thought Frank might go for the 3-5-2 system that worked so well against PSG but he's opted for a back four and it means Johnson keeps his place on the left wing. Richarlison leads the line in another show of faith from Frank - feels like it's his shirt to lose at the moment even with Solanke back and available.
Tottenham lineup
11:19 , Oli GentConfirmed Tottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Spence, Sarr, Palhinha, Bentancur, Johnson, Kudus, Richarlison
Subs: Kinsky, Danso, Vuskovic, Davies, Gray, Bergvall, Odobert, Tel, Solanke
Man City lineup
11:16 , Oli GentConfirmed Man City XI: Trafford, Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri, Nico, Reijnders, Bobb, Cherki, Marmoush, Haaland
Subs: Ederson, Ake, Doku, Rodri, Bernardo, Nunes, O'Reilly, Khusanov, Foden
Frank's masterplan?
11:15 , Oli GentWhile it’s almost an impossible task to predict a Pep Guardiola XI, Thomas Frank has a gameplan that has worked for him before on a previous visit to the Etihad Stadium.
He masterminded a 2-1 victory with Brentford back in 2022, when Ivan Toney scored at the death to steal all three points.
That day, Brentford sat in a 5-3-2 and soaked up the City pressure, but they ensured that they were dangerous on the counter-attack.
Toney and Bryan Mbeumo were the deadly duo up top, while Mads Roerslev and Rico Henry were the flying wing-backs getting up and down to support attacks and maintain the width.
Vitaly Janelt and Frank Onyeka worked tirelessly as the ‘carrileros’, flanking Mathias Jensen and adding more bodies to attacking phases when they could.
Will Frank look to implement the same thing again with his new side?
Frank insists Spurs has not let him down but admits squad is not stronger
11:02 , Alex YoungThomas Frank admitted the current Tottenham squad is not stronger than when he took over, but insisted he has not been let down by the club.
Supporters have been left frustrated by the lack of action in transfer window. Spurs fell short in their attempts to sign Morgan Gibbs-White earlier in the summer and this week saw a deal for Eberechi Eze hijacked by Arsenal at the last minute.
The club's incomings have so far consisted of Mohammed Kudus arriving for £55million, Kota Takai for £5m and Joao Palhinha on loan.
"You can say that's two players in, two players out, so probably pretty similar I would say," the Spurs boss said in response to that question.
"But also, as I said I think in my first press conference, was that I think it's a good squad. I think there's some talented players. I think there's some quality players in there as well so probably the same level, but I think that's good.
"Then it's up to me together with the players and the staff to make sure we can compete, and then as I said, we do what we can to strengthen it."
Guardiola on absence of Spurs-linked Savinho
10:55 , Alex YoungAmid Tottenham’s interest in Savinho - who misses toiday’s game through injury - Pep Guardiola admitted ecently that he is eager to trim his bloated squad.
Savinho and defensive duo Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake have also been linked with moves away from Eastlands before the summer window closes on September 1.
Guardiola said: "To be honest, I don't know what is happening with a few players - I don't know who is coming, who is staying, who is leaving, I don't know.
"All the clubs I had the feeling that it is the same, we are not an exception. Because the agents make the roles, the club have their opinions, the players have theirs, and after that we see what happens."
Frank's rule of three will be key as Spurs plot another Man City scalp
10:47 , Alex YoungAfter a week in which Tottenham failed to wrap up a move for Eberechi Eze and instead saw Arsenal hijack the deal, Frank had a fairly uncomfortable, if not unexpected, press conference yesterday, writes Matt Verri.
He was asked if he had been let down by the club in the transfer window so far, and whether he felt his squad had actually got any stronger this summer. It was also put to him that Daniel Levy's comments declaring Spurs "need" to win the Premier League were perhaps unhelpful.
These were all on topics beyond Frank's control and yet he is tasked with overseeing a performance that can lift the mood and, temporarily at least, dim the talk on transfer failures.
There is every reason to believe the Spurs boss can do so. That display against PSG earlier this month, when Spurs led 2-0 after 85 minutes, will serve as something as a blueprint for how Frank will set his side up in the biggest games.
He hinted he could go back to that 3-5-2 shape for the Etihad, which would see Kevin Danso return and with it the threat of his long throws. Regardless of the formation, Spurs will be well-drilled in their shape, look to exploit their opportunities on the counter, and maximise set-pieces.
However, Frank was keen to emphasise that the game plan against City, consisting of three key areas of focus for his players, will not be a replica of the one he prepared for PSG.
"I believe in simple messages and have maybe three key areas and try to create a narrative about each game," Frank said.
"And they cannot be too big because there are probably two or three key areas that will win us the game or hopefully maximise our chances of winning. But there are a lot of other areas that will affect it."
Man City wary of bogey team Spurs
10:39 , Alex YoungManchester City manager Pep Guardiola will be all too aware of Tottenham’s fine record against his side as the two clubs face off today.
City emerged victorious the last time these two sides met, edging Tottenham 1-0 in a Premier League clash in February 2025, with Erling Haaland on the scoresheet for the visitors.
However, historically, City have struggled against the north London side, winning just four of their last 12 Premier League encounters, drawing twice and losing six, including a 4-0 home defeat in the same fixture last season.
Man City vs Tottenham prediction
10:30 , Alex YoungManchester City have managed just four wins in their last 12 Premier League encounters with Tottenham Hotspur, drawing twice and losing six times. However, they did edge a 1-0 victory in their most recent meeting back in February.
City have not recorded back-to-back league wins over Spurs since a run of four between December 2017 and April 2019.
Recent clashes at the Etihad have been especially entertaining, with the last four producing 21 goals, nine for City and 12 for Spurs, and the visitors scoring at least twice on each occasion.
Both sides head into this fixture in strong form, but with home advantage on their side, City may just have the edge in what is often a finely balanced contest.
Man City to win 2-1
Predicted line-ups
10:24 , Alex YoungHere’s how we think both teams will line up today. Confirmed teams to be announced at 11.15am BST.
Man City predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri; Nico Gonzalez, Silva, Reijnders; Doku, Bobb; Haaland
Tottenham predicted XI (3-5-2): Vicaro; Danso, Romero, Van de Ven; Porro, Bentancur, Palhinha, Sarr, Spence; Kudus, Richarlison
Early Tottenham team news
10:19 , Alex YoungThomas Frank is weighing up a back-three system today after almost baeting Paris Saint-Germain with a similar approach in the UEFA Super Cup.
There was enough in that performance to suggest Frank will turn to the formation again for the toughest matches and he hinted at his pre-match press conference that he could make that decision.
Should he opt for the 3-5-2, Kevin Danso is likely to come in alongside Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven.
Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha both started on the bench against Burnley last weekend but are set to feature here, with their experience and ball-winning capabilities much-needed against this City side.
With James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski out injured, and Spurs missing out on the signing of Eberechi Eze, it is likely to fall on Pape Matar Sarr to provide the energy as the most advanced midfielder.
Up front, Dominic Solanke has now had two cameos off the bench as he builds towards full fitness, but Richarlison has been in superb form and will therefore hope to keep his place in the starting line-up, with Mohammed Kudus shifting into a central role to support.
Yves Bissouma remains unavailable and Destiny Udogie is also still out, but the full-back is nearing a return to action.
Early Man City team news
10:12 , Alex YoungCity have been handed a double injury boost ahead of today’s game with Pep Guardiola revealing in the pre-match press conference that Phil Foden and Rodri are ready to return after missing the win over Wolves.
Josko Gvardiol is one of three absentees along with Mateo Kovacic - who is recovering from an Achilles injury - and Spurs-linked winger Savinho.
James Trafford is expected to retain his place in between the posts despite Ederson being available for selection after missing the Wolves game.
The Brazilian has since been linked with a move to Galatasaray, while City have been linked with signing the exiled Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain.
How to watch Manchester City vs Tottenham
10:05 , Alex YoungTV channel: This game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1. Coverage starts from 11am BST ahead of a 12.30pm kick-off. The match will be played at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
Live stream: TNT subscribers can stream the match live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Welcome
09:59 , Alex YoungGood morning and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Tottenham.
The weekend action begun last night as Chelsea thumped West Ham, and now today’s two teams can leapfrog the Blues into top spot with a win.
Spurs have quite the record against the usually all-conquering City side - more on that later - while Thomas Frank has previously completed the double over Pep Guardiola while in charge at Brentford.
More of the same today? Early signs are that City could be back to their best.
Kick-off is at 12.30pm. Stick with us.
