Shock at the Etihad: How Tottenham’s Stunning Victory Over Manchester City Defied All Expectations

Tottenham made a statement loud and clear on Saturday midday, snatching a well-earned 2-0 win on Manchester City’s turf. Fresh off a stunning 4-0 obliteration of City at the Etihad last November, Thomas Frank’s squad once again dazzled in the heart of the blue half of Manchester. After weathering an early City storm, Brennan Johnson stepped up in the 35th minute, slotting home a slick move that had the crowd buzzing. Just before halftime, Spurs capitalized on a rare error from City’s James Trafford, with new signing Joao Palhinha smashing the ball into the back of the net to double the lead. City’s usually fluid attack sputtered despite Pep Guardiola’s numerous tweaks and substitutions — a stark reminder that even the mighty Sky Blues can hit rough patches. This clash not only earned Spurs a crucial victory but also kindled plenty of talking points worth unpicking. LEARN MORE

Laying down what was a real heavyweight marker on Saturday lunchtime, Tottenham secured what was a deserved 2-0 victory away at Manchester City.

Storming their way to an iconic 4-0 Premier League romp when they last travelled to the Etihad back in November, new boss Thomas Frank saw his side produce another sensational performance in the blue half of Manchester.

Soaking up some early pressure, it was Brennan Johnson who opened the scoring in the 35th-minute as the Wales international tapped home at the far post and completed a free-flowing attack.

Things got even better for Tottenham just seconds before the half-time break as Spurs pounced on James Trafford’s loose pass inside his own box before summer recruit Joao Palhinha smashed home.

While Pep Guardiola might have made a string of alterations throughout the second-half and constantly tinkered with his formation, the Sky Blues drastically failed to find any kind of fluidity in the final third.

Crashing back down to earth after opening the new campaign with a thumping 4-0 victory away at Wolves last weekend, City were once again at their inconsistent worst here.

On an afternoon when Tottenham deserved both all of the plaudits and all of the points, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Saturday’s showdown at the Etihad.

Frank’s north London adventure off to a dream start

Suffering Super Cup heartbreak on August 13th as they suffered a major last-gasp collapse against PSG, many were wondering if Spurs would show any signs of a hangover when opening up the 2025/26 campaign last weekend.

However, despite only just getting a new era underway in north London, Tottenham have enjoyed a sensational start to life under Frank’s guidance and they have come flying out the traps in some style.

Getting proceedings underway with a routine 3-0 victory against Premier League returners Burnley, the former Brentford boss saw his new look squad lay down a major marker on Saturday lunchtime.

Despite travelling to the Etihad pencilled in as a real underdog, Frank’s side dominated large spells and were a more than worthy winner in the blue half of Manchester this weekend.

With their Champions League return on the horizon and at least briefly climbing to the top of the table following Saturday’s deserved 2-0 win, it appears that the mood in Frank’s squad is at a red-hot high.

Inconsistencies still there for City

While Manchester City might have been forced to settle for a bronze medal finish among England’s elite back in May as they signed off the 2024/25 campaign without a single piece of silverware to show for their troubles, Guardiola’s men did head into the summer break in the midst of a real flurry.

Mustering 16 points from their final six Premier League appearances, the Sky Blues also opened proceedings with a thumping 4-0 victory away at Wolves last weekend.

However, although the former champions might have opened up the new campaign with their sights firmly set on recapturing their Premier League crown, it was more inconstancies for City here.

Failing to find any kind of attacking fluidity and with the record-breaking Erling Haaland a spectator for large spells, Guardiola is more than aware that plenty of work still needs to be completed.

Despite once again breaking the bank this summer as they have spent north of £100million, City’s new superstars are still trying to find their feet and they have the feel of a squad who are unfamiliar with each other.

Johnson underlines his value to Frank’s squad

Completing a £45million move back in the summer of 2023, it is fair to say that Johnson endured what was a tricky start to life in north London.

Receiving plenty of public online abuse from Tottenham supporters during his initial tenure in the capital, many were wondering where the Wales international would fit in among Frank’s new look Spurs squad.

However, despite being left as an unused substitute during Tottenham’s Super Cup showdown against PSG earlier in the month, Johnson has enjoyed a sensational start to his new domestic campaign.

Claiming Tottenham’s Golden Boot last season after notching 11 Premier League goals, the former Nottingham Forest starlet has also found the net in both of his opening appearances this time around.

With Frank filled with praise for the 24-year-old following Saturday’s 2-0 victory at the Etihad, Johnson has once again underlined status as a key member of Frank’s squad this season.

Match Report

Manchester City: Trafford, Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri, Gonzalez, Bobb, Cherki, Reijnders, Marmouch, Haaland

Subs: Ake, Rodri, Foden, Silva, Doku

Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Spence, Sarr, Palhinha, Bentancur, Kudus, Richarlison, Johnson

Subs: Odobert, Bergvall, Solanke, Danso

Goals: Johnson (35’), Palhinha (45+2’)

Yellow Cards: Manchester City: Gonzalez – Tottenham: Romero, Porro, Jonson, Richarlison

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Peter Bankes