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Frank's fine start continues as impressive Spurs stun Man City at Etihad

Tottenham Hotspur's Portuguese midfielder #06 Joao Palhinha (2L) celebrates scoring the team's second goal
Tottenham Hotspur's Portuguese midfielder #06 Joao Palhinha (2L) celebrates scoring the team's second goalDarren Staples / AFP

Tottenham Hotspur continued their positive start to the 2025/26 Premier League (PL) campaign with a 2-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, ending a run of six games without an away league victory in the process.

Key stats

- Tottenham Hotspur have now scored the first goal in each of their last five trips to the Etihad in the Premier League, also going on to win two of the previous four (D1 L1)

- Since the beginning of the 2022/23 season, Joao Palhinha has made 324 tackles in the league across spells for Fulham, Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur, the most of any player across Europe's big five leagues

- This is only the sixth time under Pep Guardiola that Manchester City have trailed a Premier League home game by 2+ goals at half-time, with Tottenham now responsible for half of those (3/6), including three of the last four (also in 2023 and 2024)

Highlights

Analysis

Brennan Johnson stats
Brennan Johnson statsDarren Staples / AFP / Opta by Stats Perform

As well as scoring his side's first goal, Tottenham's Brennan Johnson completed 13/14 (93 per cent) of his passes against City.

Pape Sarr heat map
Pape Sarr heat mapČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Conor Molloy / Opta by Stats Perform

Pape Matar Sarr was everywhere on the pitch for 90 minutes at the Etihad.

Momentum
MomentumOpta by Stats Perform

Spurs were rarely threatened by a subdued City attack.

Match report

These two teams kicked off the campaign with convincing victories, as Tottenham dispatched Burnley 3-0 and City went one better by brushing aside Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0.

The hosts, in front of their own supporters, entered the match as favourites, but Tottenham’s record of just one defeat in their past four matches in the blue half of Manchester suggested they would be no pushovers. And so it proved in a first half that went the way of the visitors.

After Pedro Porro’s early shot into the side netting, City moved into the ascendancy, with Omar Marmoush playing a starring role.

The Egypt international first shot narrowly wide before seeing two efforts saved by Guglielmo Vicario, the second of which was a clever stop as the former Eintracht Frankfurt man bore down on goal.

Spurs’ appointment of the more pragmatic Thomas Frank to replace attack-minded Ange Postecoglou meant they initially looked to absorb pressure and strike on the counter, a tactic which ultimately led to the first goal.

A Mohamed Kudus flick-on allowed Richarlison to break free and play across for Brennan Johnson, who swept home with aplomb. 

Shortly after, Tottenham were two to the good, although the goal on this occasion was of City’s own making.

Despite high pressure from the Spurs front line, James Trafford attempted to play a short pass, and after possession was won back by Richarlison, João Palhinha hammered into the back of the net for his first Tottenham goal.

Entering the break in a commanding position, Spurs deployed the same game plan in the second half with less offensive success.

Still, had Johnson utilised a teammate instead of shooting himself following a swift move forward, Tottenham may have had extra breathing space.

However, it didn’t look like they needed it as Pep Guardiola’s men struggled to cause Vicario any real problems.

Match stats
Match statsOpta by Stats Perform

As the match approached its climax, City enjoyed increasing possession.

Yet Tottenham’s backline stood strong, keeping the Citizens’ talented array of attackers quiet. All in all, this was a surprisingly comfortable afternoon’s work for Frank’s men, who have now picked up a maximum six points from six without conceding a goal.

City, meanwhile, still do not look like the team they once were, with their frailties exploited by a side that is one of Guardiola’s bogey teams; against no other side has he lost more matches (10) as a manager than the London-based team.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur)

Post-match comments

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank to TNT Sports:

"Before our goal, without them dominating us, they were more on top in the game. But we stayed in it.

"We were solid, top mentality. After the 1-0 goal, we were more or less the better side. I'm very impressed with how we stepped up second half.”

"I found a very strong mentality in the players. It was a group of players that have been through a tough season, ending on a high, those tough moments have pulled them even closer together."

"We have a strong group of players that we believe in. Of course, we'd like to add a bit. But only if we can strengthen the squad. The club is working very hard, and I trust them."

Tottenham midfielder Joao Palhinha to TNT Sports: "The coach (Thomas Frank) who pushed me to come here and showed me the project he has here at Tottenham.

"It is such a great club, and I am really glad to be in the Premier League again.

"I am so happy, me and my family. Now I want to enjoy this top club and top atmosphere again."

Catch up on the match stats with Flashscore