Tottenham deservedly ended Pep Guardiola’s perfect Premier League start and underlined their own title credentials with a thrilling victory over Manchester City at White Hart Lane.
Guardiola had won his previous six games and 10 of his previous 11 matches in charge, but City were outplayed by a vibrant Spurs who moved second in the table and are now the league’s only unbeaten team.
Spurs dominated from the start and were in front early on when Aleksandar Kolarov sliced Danny Rose’s cross into his own net after nine minutes.
Dele Alli confirmed their superiority eight minutes before half-time with a cool finish from Son Heung-min’s pass.
Spurs could even afford the luxury of seeing Erik Lamela’s second-half penalty saved by City keeper Claudio Bravo. and even though Sergio Aguero twice brought Hugo Lloris into action, once when he turned a shot on to the post, Mauricio Pochettino’s side fully deserved a convincing win.
If Liverpool are being touted as potential title winners after their fourth successive Premier League win at Swansea City on Saturday, then it is positively insulting to Tottenham not to elevate them to the same bracket after this pulsating performance.
Spurs took charge from the first whistle against a City side many felt were shaping up to run away with the title – barely allowing Guardiola’s side a second to breathe and refusing to allow them any time to impose their passing game.
And it was all done without main marksman Harry Kane, who is sidelined with an ankle injury.
In many respects this was the first time Spurs have fully hit their stride this season, and what a time to do it.
On days like this the team that pushed Leicester long and hard for last season’s Premier League title look the complete package from back to front.
They have a reliable keeper in Hugo Lloris, strength in defence in the shape of Jan Vertongen and Toby Alderweireld allied to the midfield power of Victor Wanyama and Moussa Sissoko plus the creation of Christian Eriksen, Alli and Son.
Guardiola prides himself on the high pressing style of his side and work on the ball once they gain possession – they were beaten in all aspects of this by Spurs.
One moment early in the second half summed up the way Spurs went about their business.
Keeper Bravo was hurried into a clearance and when Nicolas Otamendi received the ball seconds later, he was surrounded and sliced the ball into touch to the obvious delight of Pochettino.
It is City’s first defeat under Guardiola, so hardly time for a mass inquest – but Spurs may have shown there is a way to unsettle his multi-talented side.
The average position of Manchester City’s players (right) contrasts with that of Tottenham’s (left) emphasising how Pochettino’s side were able press their opponents in key areas and also demonstrates that they had more width to their game.
Spurs and Manchester City were both missing big players in Kane and Kevin de Bruyne respectively – and there was no doubt who coped better.
Pochettino understandably maintained faith in the revitalised South Korean Son. His energy in attack, while also acting as their first line of defence, typified Spurs and suited their style more than the physical presence of £17m summer signing Vincent Janssen.
City showed the odd flash from Aguero but Raheem Sterling could not exert any influence, with David Silva also marginalised.
As stated before, City remain a squad of high quality but how they missed the moments of magic that Belgium midfielder De Bruyne can provide for them.
Son played as a lone forward for Tottenham, and City struggled with his intelligent positional play. The South Korea international did not get on the scoresheet after his recent goalscoring run but did provide a superb assist for Alli’s goal
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