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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Richard Jolly and Jamie Braidwood

Man City v Tottenham live: Spurs claim statement result in Premier League shock

Tottenham's players celebrate their 2-0 win at Manchester City - (Getty Images)

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

Manchester City vs Tottenham LIVE

  • Tottenham claim impressive win at Manchester City in dream start for Thomas Frank
  • 45+2 GOAL! Palhinha punishes Trafford mistake to double Spurs lead [MCI 0-2 TOT]
  • 38' GOAL! Spurs strike on rapid counter-attack as Johnson finishes [MCI 0-1 TOT]
  • 28' SAVE! Vicario denies Marmoush after excellent ball from Haaland [MCI 0-0 TOT]
  • Richard Jolly: The key Thomas Frank difference to Tottenham’s statement win at Man City

Manchester City FC 0 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur FC

The key Thomas Frank difference to Tottenham’s statement win at Man City

16:04 , Richard Jolly

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

15:41 , Jamie Braidwood

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

15:31 , Jamie Braidwood

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?

15:21 , Jamie Braidwood

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'

15:11 , Jamie Braidwood

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."

(Action Images via Reuters)

Joao Palhinha: 'It wasn't easy but we deserved the victory'

15:01 , Jamie Braidwood

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."

Joao Palhinha doubled Tottenham's lead before half-time (REUTERS)

How Tottenham won at Man City

14:51 , Jamie Braidwood

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

14:44 , Jamie Braidwood

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

14:40 , Jamie Braidwood

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.

(Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

FULL TIME! Man City 0-2 Tottenham

14:34 , Jamie Braidwood

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.

(Getty Images)

FULL TIME! Man City 0-2 Tottenham

14:31 , Richard Jolly

An odd juxtaposition from the Tottenham fans, who went from calling for chairman Daniel Levy to go to chorusing about being top of the league. But a hugely impressive performance and a terrific win for them. A statement win for Thomas Frank, who organised his side expertly, chose the right tactics and has now won at the Etihad with both Brentford and Spurs.

FULL TIME! Man City 0-2 Tottenham

14:31 , Jamie Braidwood

A huge result for Tottenham under Thomas Frank. What a start it has been for him.

They deserve that clean sheet. Immense defensively, physically dominant all over the pitch, that was impressive.

Goals from Johnson and Palhinha made the difference in the first half, after a glaring error from Trafford.

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

14:30 , Jamie Braidwood

90+2 mins: Chance! Almost 3-0 to Spurs! Trafford is required to make saves from Solanke and Odobert.

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

14:27 , Jamie Braidwood

90 mins: On TNT Sports, Pape Matar Sarr is crowned player of the match. There have been four or five contenders for Spurs today, from Van de Ven and Romero to Palhinha and Kudus.

We’re into four minutes added time and Spurs have it in the corner.

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

14:24 , Jamie Braidwood

89 mins: Foden’s free-kick from the edge of the box is very poor and is headed away by Bergvall.

Hundreds of City fans are heading for the exits.

Spurs are doing it again at the Etihad.

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

14:22 , Jamie Braidwood

86 mins: Bergvall replaces Kudus and skips past Lewis in his first involvement. He tees up Odobert but the shot from the substitute whistles just wide!

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

14:19 , Jamie Braidwood

83 mins: City continue to knock on the door but, that burst from Doku aside, it’s not overly convincing.

Bernardo Silva’s back-post header drifts onto the top of the net. He was looking to find Haaland, who has been very quiet.

Top class from Romero and Van de Ven today.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

14:14 , Jamie Braidwood

79 mins: Wow! That’s electric from Jeremy Doku. He skips inside and then outside Pedro Porro to leave the fullback on the ground.

Doku cuts back to Foden but Van de Ven wins a brilliantly timed challenge to block his shot.

Van de Ven is so good.

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

14:12 , Jamie Braidwood

76 mins: Almost an instant impact for Rodri! He meets the corner from the left, poorly conceded by Romero, but heads straight at Vicario.

Changes for Tottenham: Odobert and Solanke for Richarlison and Johnson, who combined for the first goal.

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

14:10 , Jamie Braidwood

74 mins: Porro’s excellent pass almost picks out Sarr’s run through the middle. The bounce evaded the midfield, and also looked to have deceived Trafford.

Changes for City: Phil Foden replaces Bobb, and Rodri is back. He replaces Nico Gonzalez for the final 20 minutes or so.

(Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

14:08 , Jamie Braidwood

72 mins: Tottenham were 2-0 up against Paris Saint-Germain at a similar stage and drew - they cannot lose a penalty shootout today - so it is too soon to pronounce them winners yet. But there is much to like from the first 70 minutes, particularly about their sturdiness. There is a physicality to this team and both summer signings on the pitch, Palhinha and Kudus, have been excellent.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

14:07 , Jamie Braidwood

69 mins; Richarlison is booked for having a go at Nico Gonzalez for going to ground too easily and sparks some tension between the teams. I think Richarlison will be making way very soon...

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

14:06 , Jamie Braidwood

68 mins: A bit of a rash challenge from Cristian Romero on Oscar Bobb gives Manchester City a chance to test Tottenham from the free-kick.

The cross flashes through the box and narrowly avoids Ruben Dias as it goes behind for the corner.

Tottenham are having to soak up some pressure but there is relief as Rico Lewis fires over.

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

14:02 , Jamie Braidwood

64 mins: Djed Spence wins his duel with Oscar Bobb and wins the tackle while avoiding conceding a corner.

They are still in control and are dominating various areas of the pitch. Frank is going to bring on Dominic Solanke and Mathys Tel.

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

13:57 , Jamie Braidwood

60 mins: Micky van de Ven leads the press and charges towards Trafford - sensational stuff. The Spurs fans must be loving this. They are completely on top right now.

Richarlison, in the space of a couple of minutes, gets two decent chances at the back post from Porro crosses but heads over on both.

City, again, lose the ball.

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

13:53 , Jamie Braidwood

56 mins: Oooh that is a gorgeous ball from Pedro Porro towards Richarlison, who looks to have a free header at the back post. But Rico Lewis does well to get in front of the Brazilian and draw the foul.

A moment later, Johnson cuts in side and shoots wildly. Frank looks furious as Sarr was in a good position for the pass.

That’s a good spell from Spurs, though, who look really physical in defence and midfield.

(REUTERS)

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

13:50 , Richard Jolly

55 mins: On come Doku and Bernardo Silva for Marmoush and Cherki, two of the 2025 signings. One of the subplots of City's season is the number of players they have who can play in the attacking midfield roles. It feels as though Guardiola is not yet sure what his best combination is. That volume of players, however, could encourage Spurs to bid for Savinho.

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

13:50 , Jamie Braidwood

55 mins: Richarlison gets in a tangle with Ruben Dias and if I was his team-mate I’d be telling him to calm down....

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

13:49 , Jamie Braidwood

53 mins: CHANCE! Almost a huge defensive mix-up at the Tottenham end! Vicario passes sideways to Van de Ven but he loses it to Bobb.

All Haaland has to do is square to Cherki but he gets the pass all wrong. Palhinha then clears.

There’s a suggestion of a penalty shout from Van de Ven on Bobb. But nothing is given.

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

13:48 , Jamie Braidwood

51 mins: There’s certainly some urgency around City after half time. But Haaland can’t steer his header on target.

It looks like Jeremy Doku will be the first change.

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

13:45 , Jamie Braidwood

48 mins: Tottenham’s players are getting the balance between aggression and discipline spot-on so far. Bentancur wins an important challenge on Bobb in the box, then Romero races out of defence to win a challenge in midfield.

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

13:44 , Jamie Braidwood

47 mins: What a block! Joao Palhinha almost celebrated that like a goal. He slides in just as Nathan Ake struck towards goal and gets his body in the way.

Back underway: Man City 0-2 Tottenham

13:41 , Jamie Braidwood

No changes from either team at half time. Perhaps a surprise for Man City, with Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden options.

Tottenham, meanwhile, have not won an away game in the Premier League since February.

HALF TIME! Man City 0-2 Tottenham

13:38 , Jamie Braidwood

According to Opta, Tottenham are now responsible for three of the six times Pep Guardiola has gone into half-time two goals down in the Premier League.

The bogey team strikes again.

That said, I think City went on to win one of those games 4-2. They did: January 2023, City trailed Spurs 2-0 at half time and won 4-2.

HALF TIME! Man City 0-2 Tottenham

13:34 , Jamie Braidwood

Look away Man City fans.

Both goals are an absolute disaster from a defensive perspective.

Tottenham won’t be complaining.

They have pressed well and look lively on the counter.

GOAL! Man City 0-1 Tottenham (JOHNSON 36')

GOAL! Man City 0-2 Tottenham (PALHINHA 45+2)

HALF TIME! Man City 0-2 Tottenham

13:25 , Richard Jolly

A disaster for Trafford. He never conceded twice in a league game for Burnley last season. He has done on his home debut for City. Something to bear in mind, too, amid talk of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is less comfortable with the ball at his feet than Trafford - and far less comfortable than Ederson.

(Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

13:24 , Jamie Braidwood

54+6 mins; CHANCE! Huge opportunity for Haaland right before half time! But he can’t take it. It’s an excellent cross into the middle but the striker heads over from right in front of the posts.

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

13:22 , Jamie Braidwood

45+4 mins: Guardiola had his head in his hands, as Ederson watches on from the bench. This is the stuff of nightmares for the young Trafford, who had not looked comfortable on the ball.

GOAL! Man City 0-2 Tottenham (PALHINHA 45+2)

13:19 , Jamie Braidwood

OH MY WORD! Madness in the Man City defence and James Trafford makes a huge mistake on his home debut!

The goalkeeper takes an age to play the ball and then gives Nico Gonzalez a horrid pass, while the midfielder is under pressure.

Trafford saves from Richarlison but Joao Palhinha is there to follow it up and double Tottenham’s lead.

Astonishing.

(Action Images via Reuters)

Man City 0-1 Tottenham

13:17 , Jamie Braidwood

45 mins: Good play from Palhinha to draw the first corner of the game.

A big chuck of add time to be played - seven minutes in all after Ait-Nouri’s injury.

Man City 0-1 Tottenham

13:16 , Jamie Braidwood

42 mins: City’s response to going behind has been non-existent. They’ve allowed Tottenham to grow in confidence during this game and Frank’s side are worth their lead as we approach half time.

Man City 0-1 Tottenham

13:12 , Jamie Braidwood

39 mins: Man City are wobbling! Spurs almost great through and Trafford has to come out of his box to clear ahead of Kudus, after the winger got away from Dias and Stones.

Porro then should have been awarded a free-kick after a foul from Reijnders on the edge of the box, but it went unpunished.

Man City 0-1 Tottenham

13:10 , Richard Jolly

38 mins: Manchester City concede to a counter-attack? It happened often last season. Now the first goal they have conceded this year has come in a familiar fashion.

(Getty Images)

GOAL! Man City 0-1 Tottenham (JOHNSON 36')

13:09 , Jamie Braidwood

RICHARLISON WAS ONSIDE AND JOHNSON GIVES SPURS THE LEAD AT THE ETIHAD!

What a move from Spurs! City were caught sleeping and are hit on the counter-attack!

John Stones may have slipped as Richarlison burst away from him.

(Getty Images)

NO GOAL! Man City 0-0 Tottenham

13:07 , Jamie Braidwood

35 mins: Spurs have the ball in the net but the flag is up! This will be checked...

It’s an excellent move as Spurs go from back to front and Richarlison slides across to Johnson, who beats Trafford.

Check ongoing...

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

13:06 , Jamie Braidwood

32 mins: Johnson gets a very silly and unnecessary yellow card for delaying the restart after giving a free-kick away.

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

13:05 , Jamie Braidwood

30 mins: Tottenham almost break away on the counter as Kudus gambles on Reijnders misjudging the bouncing ball. It wasn’t great from Reijnders, but he gets away with it as it doesn’t quite settle down for Kudus either.

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

13:01 , Jamie Braidwood

28 mins: CHANCE! Oh this is wonderful from Haaland, and it should be 1-0!

Haaland shrugs off Bentancur and then plays a perfect through pass to find Marmoush’s run.

Vicario gets out well and but Marmoush hits it straight into his body. Almost De Bruyne-esque from Haaland.

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

12:59 , Jamie Braidwood

26 mins: After a bright start, this has got a little scrappy. Oscar Bobb plays the ball straight out of play, a moment or two after Marmoush failed to control a switch from left to right.

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

12:58 , Jamie Braidwood

25 mins: Thomas Frank had looked a little frustrated with Richarlison’s hold-up play so far, while Brennan Johnson is only now getting into the game with a couple of bursts. A long ball goes towards Kudus but bounces off the winger.

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

12:55 , Richard Jolly

23 mins: An early end to Rayan Ait-Nouri's home debut as he limps off. City had plenty of injury problems at the back last season. They will hope this is not the start of a repeat.

(Action Images via Reuters)

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

12:53 , Jamie Braidwood

21 mins: Ait-Nouri can’t continue after all. He will be replaced by Nathan Ake, who had been linked with Everton this week. Ake will slot in at left back where he will face up against Mohammed Kudus, who has been quiet so far.

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

12:50 , Jamie Braidwood

17 mins: SAVE! Marmoush wriggles inside away from Porro and thumps a shot at goal that Vicario palms away. That was hit with power but it was down the middle of the goal.

Ait-Nouri is back on. Marmoush is the player who looks the most likely to break the deadlock so far.

(Action Images via Reuters)

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

12:48 , Jamie Braidwood

15 mins: Rayan Ait-Nouri covers his face as he goes down with an ankle injury. Nathan Ake is already warming up and could be set to replace the new signing from Wolves if this is anything worse than just a knock.

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

12:46 , Richard Jolly

14 mins: Ederson is back on the bench today after his gastroentiritis and amid questions if he will stay. James Trafford is a confident character who will not have returned to City to be second choice. But a reason Guardiola loves Ederson is his ability on the ball and the Englishman was almost caught in possession by Richarlison a couple of minutes back.

(REUTERS)

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

12:45 , Jamie Braidwood

13 mins: Good save from Vicario to deny Marmoush from the byline. This has been a very open start at both ends.

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

12:44 , Jamie Braidwood

11 mins: Now a nervy moment in the City defence! Lewis plays towards Trafford and he is almost caught by Richarlison, who presses high.

City and Trafford get away with it. But that’s good pressure from Richarlison.

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

12:42 , Jamie Braidwood

10 mins: CLOSE! Tottenham let the long ball towards Haaland bounce and Porro gets caught as he heads towards Vicario. He plays in Marmoush but the forward can’t squeeze his finish in from the tight angle!

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

12:41 , Jamie Braidwood

9 mins: CLOSE! Porro strikes into the wall but he catches the rebound sweet - he rips a shot into the side-netting and there are Tottenham fans in the far end who think it’s in!

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

12:40 , Jamie Braidwood

8 mins: Haaland loses the ball after good pressure from Romero. In trying to make up for the error, he fouls Richarlison on the edge of the box and gives Tottenham another free-kick, this time in a far more dangerous position.

(REUTERS)

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

12:38 , Jamie Braidwood

6 mins: Tottenham with a free-kick inside the City half and it prompts Romero and Van de Ven to head forward. Porro takes across to Bentacur but Haaland thumps clear.

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

12:35 , Jamie Braidwood

3 mins: Man City are on the front foot early on. Cherki almost slides through Haaland but Van de Ven is there to cut it out. It came from a clever ball from Reijnders.

Man City 0-0 Tottenham

12:33 , Jamie Braidwood

1 min: Vicario goes long from the first goal kick but his pass towards Richarlison goes straight out of play. Will be interesting to see how pragmatic Spurs are today under Thomas Frank, after Ange Postecoglou’s attacking approach last season.

KICK OFF! Man City 0-0 Tottenham

12:30 , Jamie Braidwood

And we’re underway! City in their trademark light blue, Tottenham in dark away shirts.

Man City vs Tottenham: Reminder of team news and how to watch

12:28 , Jamie Braidwood

Man City: Trafford, Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ait Nouri, Reijnders,Gonzalez, Bobb, Cherki, Marmoush, Haaland.

Subs: Ederson, Ake,Doku, Rodri, Silva, Matheus Luiz, O'Reilly, Khusanov, Foden

Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Spence,Sarr, Joao Palhinha, Bentancur, Kudus, Richarlison, Johnson

Subs: Kinsky, Danso, Tel, Gray, Bergvall, Vuskovic, Solanke,Odobert, Davies.

How to watch: The match is live on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+

Thomas Frank on 'noise' surrounding Tottenham transfer business

12:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Thomas Frank speaking to TNT Sports about the “noise” around the club this week after missing out on the signing of Eberechi Eze.

“The big thing is that noise I am not too worried about because I am not really reading anything or doing anything about it. My job is to make sure that I have laser focus on the squad and the team preparation and I try to do that.

"The game in front of us is always a new story. We can make a new history, it's all about that. I have big confidence in the group and the team, big belief that we can come here and get three points. Huge respect for Pep and Manchester City, we know it is going to be difficult but we believe in ourselves."

(PA Wire)

Interesting changes on both sides

11:41 , Richard Jolly

Eberechi Eze doesn't make his Tottenham debut today, not least because he won't make his Tottenham debut at all after a chastening week for Spurs. But there is still intrigue in Thomas Frank's selection: after playing three centre-backs against Paris Saint-Germain and only two against Burnley, he sticks with the latter for the trip to City. It was a high of Angeball last season - a 4-0 win - so Frank has a lot to live up to.

Pep Guardiola takes the surprise step of omitting his new captain, with Bernardo Silva on the bench. Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush come in, with Jeremy Doku also dropping out.

Bernardo Silva has dropped out of Man City's line-up (Getty Images)

Manchester City vs Tottenham team news and line-ups: Rodri on the bench

11:16 , Jamie Braidwood

Man City XI: Trafford; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri; Nico, Reijnders; Bobb, Cherki, Marmoush; Haaland

Tottenham XI: Vicario; Pedro Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Palhinha, Sarr; Kudus, Richarlison, Johnson

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