James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski Inspire Tottenham to an Impressive Win Over Manchester City at Etihad

Manchester City’s clash against Tottenham Hotspur was the marquee game of the gameweek, and the showdown hasn’t disappointed. City came into the on the back of four consecutive games. Meanwhile, Spurs arrived at the Etihad licking their wounds from a shocking 2-1 loss to newly promoted Ipswich Town. Both teams had a point to prove, setting the stage for an electrifying encounter that promised drama from the first whistle.

Buoyed by an electric Etihad crowd, Manchester City started the game on the frontfoot. From the very off, City pressed Spurs high up the pitch, and that forced Yves Bissouma to make a rash challenge on Phil Foden, which earned the Malian a yellow card within the first 20 seconds of the kick-off. The first big chance of the game presented itself to in-form Erling Haaland. Josko Gvardiol glided through Tottenham’s midfield before finding Haaland with a perfect pass. But Haaland hesitated just long enough for Ben Davies to swoop in with a crucial block. However, after City’s early dominance, Spurs settled in and began to create chances of their own. 

Spurs skipper Son Heung-Min delivered a couple of dangerous low crosses into the box, but none of his teammates were there to meet it. However, those early inroads into City’s box were just a preview of things to come. In the 13th minute, a long ranging Radu Dragusin pass was chased down by Kulusevski, who delivered a sumptuous cross in City’s six-yard box which was expertly met by James Maddison. After the first goal, Spurs players evidently had a spring in their step, and just seven minutes after their first goal, the Lilywhites doubled their lead. It was Maddison again who was the beneficiary of a Gvardiol mistake. Maddison’s delicate chip gave Spurs a well-deserved two-goal lead. 

Manchester City, however, refused to roll over. Pep Guardiola’s men kept probing, desperate to claw their way back into the contest. Phil Foden had a golden chance to halve the deficit, only to sky his effort over the bar. Haaland also came close, but his strike was brilliantly denied by Guglielmo Vicario. As the halftime whistle blew, Tottenham walked off with a commanding and well-earned two-goal lead. While City boasted more shots and a superior xG, Spurs’ clinical finishing and resolute defending made them deserving leaders in an enthralling first half. 

A two-goal lead can be a tricky thing—Tottenham fans know this all too well. Almost two years ago at the Etihad, Spurs saw a similar advantage crumble as Manchester City stormed back to win 4-2. Determined to avoid a repeat, Tottenham approached the second half with caution. City, predictably, came out firing after the break, pushing Spurs back and dictating play in search of a lifeline. But just when it seemed the pressure might tell, Spurs delivered a devastating counter-punch. A slick exchange between Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski unlocked City’s defense, freeing Dominic Solanke down the flank. The striker showed great awareness to square the ball into the path of Pedro Porro, who unleashed an unstoppable thunderbolt into the top-left corner. The Etihad fell silent as Spurs celebrated a stunning third goal. 

With a commanding three-goal cushion, Tottenham shifted into a compact low block, inviting City to take the initiative. However, wave after wave of City attacks was met with stubborn resistance. The Spurs backline stood tall, while Guglielmo Vicario continued his inspired performance between the sticks, denying City time and again with sharp saves. Desperate to spark a comeback, Pep Guardiola introduced Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish to inject creativity and energy into the side. The substitutions brought a noticeable lift to City’s play, with De Bruyne pulling strings and Grealish driving at defenders. Yet, despite their relentless efforts, the Sky Blues found themselves frustrated at every turn. Tottenham's resolute defense and Vicario’s heroics ensured the goal City so desperately sought remained elusive. 

As the minutes ticked away, it was clear this night belonged to Spurs. But Ange Postecoglou’s men weren’t content to merely see out an impressive victory—they had one final flourish in store. A careless pass from Jack Grealish in midfield was intercepted by the ever-alert Timo Werner, who wasted no time bursting forward at lightning speed. Werner cut through City’s retreating defense and delivered a precise pass to Brennan Johnson, who coolly slotted the ball into an open net. The 4-0 scoreline didn’t just signal a victory—it was a resounding statement. Ange Postecoglou’s men had dismantled the reigning champions in their own backyard, proving they could mix it with the league’s elite despite some patchy form earlier in the season.  

Tottenham had learned from their mistakes and executed a flawless game plan, shutting down City’s formidable attack while being ruthlessly efficient in front of goal. For City, the humiliation was palpable. For Spurs, it was a night to savor—a performance that underlined their credentials as genuine contenders under Postecoglou’s dynamic leadership.