THE VERDICT: SPURS 0 CITY 1 Blues pitch perfect at off-colour Wembley
CITY’S TECHNICIANS SMOOTH OVER ROUGH EDGES IN FIRST HALF BUT HAVE TO DIG DEEP FOR VICTORY
Had a dreadful first half, his mistakes handing Spurs hope when there seemed none. Improved a little after break Kept the machine ticking along, even when the pitch was conspiring against passing - his defensive work was magnificent Popping up all over the pitch to give team-mates options, and when Spurs pushed, work rate and pressing was invaluable How on earth he failed to convert from a few yards out is anyone’s guess, but another stylish and mesmeric display City’s biggest threat early in the game, underlined that with a well-taken goal, but he faded from view later in match Had one clear chance when he carved back onto his left foot, but it was a weak effort - no faulting his effort WHEN the Premier League markets itself as the best in the world, Pep Guardiola’s City and Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs are undoubtedly two of the main attractions.
Audiences can feast their eyes on the best teams and the best coaches in the world going up against each other in a thrilling league where anyone can beat anyone.
What a farce, then, to butcher one of their biggest selling points by allowing the teams to face one another on a grisly pitch neither calls home watched on by thousands of empty seats.
Considerable chunks of the pitch had been churned up by three consecutive NFL games - the most recent just 24 hours before such a showpiece match - and the bits that weren’t still clearly boasted the markings of another sport.
Thankfully for those that run the league, City remain worth tuning in for on any occasion.
David and Bernardo Silva give the impression they could pass their way out of a locked room and their exquisite close control has rarely looked better as Guardiola’s side moved the ball with a silky smoothness that defied their surroundings.
Even if the opening goal owed much to Ederson’s thumping kick forward, more important was Raheem Sterling’s guile to beat England team-mate Kieran Trippier before providing the perfect cut-back for Riyad Mahrez - who is increasingly getting into the right moments for his new club.
Tottenham gave City more problems than most teams have this season, repeatedly exploiting space behind Benjamin Mendy on a night that brought the Frenchman’s defensive deficiencies to the surface.
Fernandinho and the rest of the defence showed why this team have now gone six league games without conceding though, stretching every bit of strength and skill going to keep the ball away from their net.
The second half deteriorated into a game the pitch deserved.
There were hoofs, hoiks and miskicks from two sets of players capable of doing far more, but the rare moments of quality near the goal amid the dross came from the visitors.
Silva came agonisingly close to finishing off Bernardo’s inviting ball into the box and Sergio Aguero forced Hugo Lloris into another excellent save, while Erik Lamela blazed over from level with the penalty spot after Pochettino’s men had pressed Mahrez into erring.
Spurs finished the game strongly and contributed to an uncomfortable final 15 None Mahrez (6) 48% 52% 4 13 6 3 Moura, Davies Laporte, Fernandinho Kevin Friend 56,854 minutes for City, Guardiola animated on the touchline as his team struggled to keep the ball and their cool.
With Ederson unflappable at the back, though, and Tottenham restricted to just four shots in total and one on target (compared to 13 and 6) it was a deserved win for the champions and one that takes them back to the top of the table after 10 games.
While the Premier League would do well to make sure such an evening never happens again, the other 19 teams could do with working out a way to stop this City juggernaut if they are not to see another repeat come the lifting of the title next spring.