Tottenham Stuns Manchester City with a 2-0 Victory at the Etihad
In a surprising twist, Tottenham Hotspur defeated Manchester City 2-0 in a thrilling Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium. This victory, under the guidance of new manager Thomas Frank, was all about smart, quick counter-attacks that handed Pep Guardiola’s team their first loss of the 2025/26 season. Goals by Brennan Johnson and João Palhinha showed that Spurs might just be a team to watch in the title race.
Match Highlights:
An Action-Packed Start
Both teams came into this game feeling confident after big wins on the opening day of the season, City had thrashed Wolves 4-0, and Spurs had cruised past Burnley 3-0. Right from the start, both sides looked dangerous. In the 6th minute, Tottenham’s Mathys Tel forced a good save from City goalkeeper James Trafford. A minute later, City’s star striker Erling Haaland had a go, but Spurs’ keeper Guglielmo Vicario was up to the challenge.
Haaland’s Goal Disallowed
Manchester City thought they had the lead in the 12th minute when Haaland found the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside by VAR. The home crowd was disappointed, and Spurs’ defense, led by the solid duo of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, stood strong.
37′ – Brennan Johnson Scores!
Against the flow of play, Tottenham broke the deadlock. Brennan Johnson raced onto a perfect pass from James Maddison and headed the ball past Trafford, making it 1-0. The goal was a perfect example of how Frank’s team wanted to play, using quick attacks to catch City’s high defensive line off guard.
45+’ – Palhinha Doubles the Lead
Just before halftime, Spurs shocked the Etihad again. João Palhinha was in the right place at the right time to score from a rebound, giving Tottenham a surprising 2-0 lead. The goal highlighted Spurs’ ability to finish their chances, with Palhinha being a crucial presence in the middle of the field.
Second Half: City Pushes, Spurs Holds On
In the second half, City tried everything to get back into the game, controlling the ball more (though the overall possession was surprisingly close: 55% for Spurs, 45% for City). They created several chances, with shots from Sávio and Jeremy Doku, but Tottenham’s defense, anchored by Kevin Danso and Archie Gray, was a brick wall. They made 26 tackles and 15 clearances to keep City from scoring. A late save by Vicario in the 88th minute on a shot by Sávio sealed the clean sheet.
Spurs Closes Out the Game
Despite City’s late pressure, including a blocked shot in stoppage time, Tottenham held on for a famous 2-0 win. Substitutions like Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski helped Spurs maintain their strength, while City’s Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva couldn’t find a way through. The final whistle confirmed a huge upset, with Spurs jumping ahead of City in the early league table.
Key Stats:
- Final Score: Manchester City 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur
- Goal Scorers: Brennan Johnson (37’), João Palhinha (45+’)
- Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
- Possession: Tottenham 55%, Manchester City 45%
- Shots: Tottenham 11 (6 on target), Manchester City 12 (5 on target)
- Saves: Vicario (Tottenham) 5 out of 5, Trafford (City) 4 out of 6
Looking Ahead:
This win is a big statement for Tottenham under their new manager, Thomas Frank. Their smart, fast-paced style of play took advantage of City’s mistakes. Despite missing key players, Spurs’ strong team effort was on full display. For Manchester City, the loss raises some early questions, especially after finishing third last season.
Next
Manchester City will look to bounce back when they visit Brighton on August 31. Meanwhile, Tottenham, who now have a perfect record of two wins from two games, will host Manchester United, hoping to keep their winning streak going.