Mahrez puts resilient City back on top after pitch battle
This was not quite pitch perfect from Manchester City but they still proved too strong, far too defensively resilient for Tottenham Hotspur as they impressively returned to the top of the Premier League.
But on a frankly embarrassing pitch, after the heavy-duty damage caused by the NFL match the previous day, it felt like an occasion ruined; an eagerly anticipated ‘Big Six’ showpiece game that was left resembling a pock-marked eyesore. It was simply unacceptable and certainly hampered the contest.
For City, it was a case of never mind the quality feel the width as they collected the three points they needed and now, after 10 games, they can reflect on the fact that they have already faced Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs away from home – except a two-thirds full Wembley is not really Spurs’ home – and remain undefeated having not conceded a goal.
It may have been the slenderest of victories for City but it also provided a sixth clean sheet in a row in the league and their defence is beginning to feel almost as formidable as their normally free-scoring attack. It is certainly a new dimension to Pep Guardiola’s side and one that will make them even harder to surpass this campaign.
In fact, there have been just four shots on target against them in their past four league games and only 17 in the season so far. They have conceded just three league goals as John Stones and Aymeric Laporte have emerged as their first-choice pairing at centre-half. For Laporte, it was a 19th league game since he signed last January. He has won 17 and lost none of those games.
Nevertheless the sequence of shut-outs should have ended deep into the second half. Having fallen behind in the sixth minute to Riyad Mahrez’s goal, Spurs had to wait until late on to carve out a clear opportunity and it was presented to Erik Lamela. He surely had to score after Harry Kane’s clever movement had drawn away the defenders and substitute Dele Alli picked out Lamela, who blazed over the crossbar with goalkeeper Ederson stranded. Maybe the pitch was to blame for that. “The grass did not help either side,” Guardiola said.
It would have been an undeserved point, in truth, for Spurs despite the declaration of manager Mauricio Pochettino that they had played well. City wasted opportunities and if there was any doubt that the pitch had an effect then it came with David Silva miscontrolling the ball – which is unheard of given his usual velvet touch.
He was picked out by Bernardo Silva with a precise low cross in the second half and, with the goal beckoning and keeper Hugo Lloris left exposed, he failed to get away a first-time shot before finally passing to Raheem Sterling. The England international shot but his effort was charged down. There were many mistakes that should not happen, Guardiola later said. He was not wrong.
Sterling was heavily involved in the only goal of the game as, unfortunately for Spurs, was Kieran Trippier, who is enduring a difficult season after his World Cup exploits.
The right-back reached a long ball forward from Ederson but erred in heading it back towards his own goal, which left him in an unwanted race with Sterling he was never likely to win. The winger, on his 200th league appearance at the age of only 23, ran into the area with Trippier wafting out a leg only for Sterling to beat him and pull the ball back into the path of the onrushing Mahrez, who slammed it low into the net.
When he scored, the Algerian, who joined City in the summer but was so instrumental in Leicester’s title triumph two years ago, put his hands up to the sky in silent acknowledgement to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the owner who was one of five people who died in the weekend’s helicopter tragedy at the King Power Stadium.
Once behind Spurs were always up against it, but Kane was left cursing a heavy first touch after he was picked out by Lamela. With the chance to run at goal, Kane gave Ederson the encouragement to sprint out and thwart him.
Mahrez threatened to add to his tally, forcing a fine one-handed save from Lloris, but the strangeness of the game was summed up by the near-silent crowd, who were only roused to boo referee Kevin Friend, who was guilty of a series of perceived wrong decisions, as the half-time whistle blew.
That frustration grew when Kane was again sent clear, from Lucas Moura’s ball over the top, only to be wrongly pulled up when he had been clearly played onside by Benjamin Mendy.
There then came David Silva’s mistake before Kyle Walker failed to tee up Sergio Aguero, who took matters into his own hands by juggling the ball and half-volleying powerfully from the area’s edge only for Lloris to beat the shot away.
Spurs made changes. They may not be fully fit but Alli and Christian Eriksen, along with Harry Winks, made a difference and finally City faced some sustained pressure before Guardiola reacted. He put on Vincent Kompany, to shore up his defence even further, and ran down the clock with his own substitutions to draw Spurs’ sting and secure the points.
Game management they call it and City, despite the trying conditions, managed this game in an ominous sign to their rivals. Those NFL markings were prominent but not as defined as the challenge City have set.