Self-Inflicted Wounds See Spurs Sunk By Slick City

Rodri’s first-half penalty and Ilkay Gundogan’s second-half brace saw Spurs brushed aside by champions-elect Manchester City at the Etihad.
It is a result that leaves Jose Mourinho’s side well off the top four pace, following a run of just three Premier League wins in their last twelve matches. Having led the table in December, Spurs now sit ninth.

The imperious City, seeking an 11th consecutive league victory, were full of menace down the flanks in the early going. Foden and Cancelo teased Davies on the left of the Tottenham defence, whilst Sterling and Gundogan toyed with Tanganga – making his first Premier League appearance of the season – on the right.

Having almost been submerged under City’s attacking waves, against the run of play it was Spurs who almost took the lead on the quarter-hour mark. Moura managed to force a hopeful Lamela pass onto Kane. The England captain, using his considerable nous, manoeuvred his body between Aymeric Laporte and the ball. The defender could not resist temptation and was suckered into making a clumsy challenge from behind. Climbing to his feet, Kane spotted up the free-kick himself. His fierce swerving shot over the wall had Ederson beaten but cannoned off the inside of the post. It was a chance that Tottenham badly needed to go in.

Less than ten minutes later, inevitably, Jose Mourinho’s side fell behind. Gundogan made a darting run into the Tottenham box. Hojbjerg gave chase and appeared to have the German hemmed in. A quick drag-back, however, did for the Tottenham man. The Dane could not apply the brakes and sent Gundogan crashing to the ground. If Hojbjerg had been unwitting and unfortunate in his concession of a penalty at Goodison Park in midweek, he was recklessly culpable here.

With Gundogan stood down from spot-kick duties after recent failures, Rodri stepped up. The Spaniard’s effort was far from convincing. And Hugo Lloris, having guessed the right way, was visibly frustrated at not keeping it out.

Tottenham to their credit did not immediately cave in. Ndombele, in particular, kept wanting the ball, even in difficult areas of the pitch where he found himself under unyielding pressure. Several times Spurs were able to escape the City press through the Frenchman’s brave play. But with the Tottenham full-backs unable or unwilling to join the attack, Moura and Lamela both found wanting when in possession and Son a peripheral figure, Spurs posed little threat.

The best chance in what remained of the first half fell Gundogan’s way. Having switched wings, Sterling effortlessly breezed past Davies and from the byline cut the ball back to City’s top scorer. Gundogan looked set to add to his tally until Davinson Sanchez intervened with a flying block.

With the deficit kept to one, Spurs had cause for cautious optimism at the interval. Within five minutes of the restart, all hope of a positive result evaporated. The devastating Sterling drove infield from the right-wing, carrying the ball across the Tottenham area unmolested. A quick interchange of passes saw the England man slip a stealthy pass into Gundogan’s path, who instantly toe-poked a shot goalwards from eight yards. Lloris, who has endured a difficult week, failed to react with sufficient speed to prevent the ball from beating him at his near post.

With Spurs in need of inspiration, Mourinho sent on Dele Alli for Ndombele just after the hour. Before there had been any chance for Alli to impress, Tottenham shipped a third. Ederson’s length-of-the-field cleaving pass left Gundogan clean through. Sanchez raced to get back goal-side. But so bamboozled was the Colombian by the bounce of the ball and the City man’s feints, he plunged to the turf face-first allowing Gundogan to stroke home past Lloris. It was a goal from a Spurs perspective that was both tragic and comic in equal parts.

Gareth Bale was – at least – able to provide one flicker of light in an otherwise gloomy second-half for the North Londoners. The Welshman – replacing the frazzled Lamela with 18 minutes to play – fleetingly reprised his first electrifying spell at the club. The way Bale danced beyond three City defenders before pounding a fierce shot goalwards, brought to mind the pace and poise that once made him a genuine footballing phenomenon. Sadly, considering he still possesses such talent, it also served to underline just what an unmitigated disappointment his Spurs second-coming has been.

Jose Mourinho’s players must not dwell on this stark first-hand reminder of just how far from the Premier League’s best they currently find themselves. This can still be a successful season for Spurs but the week ahead will be pivotal. Failure to beat West Ham next Sunday will all but end any lingering hopes of a top-four finish.

Before then, however, Tottenham face Austrian side Wolfsberg in the last 32 of the Europa League. That competition could yet prove the best chance Spurs have of silverware. Given that the trophy also provides a pathway to next season’s Champions League, Mourinho’s very future at the club may well come to depend on it.