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Manchester City’s losing run extended to five matches with a crushing 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium, as the champions’ defensive frailties were brutally exposed.
Spurs, led by a sensational performance from Dejan Kulusevski, displayed clinical counter-attacking football, leaving City’s title hopes in disarray.
With key players returning from injury and manager Pep Guardiola’s future secured with a new contract, the international break had promised a fresh start for City. But instead, Spurs capitalized on City’s vulnerabilities, particularly in midfield and defense, as they handed the reigning Premier League champions their heaviest home defeat in over two years.
“When you lose 4-0, there is nothing to say but to congratulate Tottenham,” Guardiola said in the aftermath.
“We are a bit fragile right now, that is obvious. Struggled to score goals and after when they arrived they scored. They are playing a little bit in our thoughts, a little bit of negativity but this is normal.”
Erling Haaland missed two golden chances in the opening minutes, and it seemed only a matter of time before Spurs would crack.
The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when Kulusevski’s sublime pass found James Maddison, who volleyed home his first goal.
Spurs doubled their lead within seven minutes, with Maddison scoring again after a brilliant assist from Son Heung-min.
Guardiola’s frustration was evident as he removed his coat on the sidelines, signaling to his players that it was time to respond. But City, despite brief spells of possession, failed to create any meaningful chances.
Spurs added a third early in the second half through Pedro Porro and sealed the victory in injury time with a fourth goal from substitute Brennan Johnson.
“You don’t come to a place like this thinking it’s going to be as convincing as it was for us,” said Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou.
“City test you in every way. We got to a really strong level today. Credit to the lads because I thought they were outstanding.”
For City, it was a dismal performance. Without the injured Rodri and Mateo Kovacic, their midfield was overrun by Spurs’ Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr.
Ilkay Gündogan, in particular, struggled to cope with the pace of Tottenham’s counter-attacks.
Defenders Kyle Walker and Manuel Akanji also had tough days, with Walker’s performances drawing particular concern.
City’s defensive issues have now been laid bare, with the team conceding 14 goals in their last five games. Guardiola’s side has also been slow to recover from conceding the first goal in matches, with four out of their six home league games seeing them fall behind early.
Guardiola will hope for a return to fitness for key players like Rúben Dias, who has missed the last five games, as well as John Stones, who was forced off at halftime against Spurs with an injury.
City now face a critical week, with a Champions League clash against Feyenoord on Tuesday followed by a daunting Premier League trip to Anfield to face Liverpool next Sunday.
Guardiola echoed the sentiment, adding, “We cannot run away; we have to face it and try to make the next game.”
With their confidence shaken and their losing streak now a serious concern, City’s visit to Liverpool offers them a pivotal opportunity to reverse their fortunes—or risk sinking deeper into crisis which might end their title defense and prevent them from extending their run.
