Son Heung-min and Giovani Lo Celso punish Man City and send Tottenham top of league
Tottenham 2-0 Man City: Pep Guardiola’s side dominated for spells but could not break the hosts down
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
A day, quite simply, when a much shrewder Jose Mourinho did a number on Pep Guardiola.
If this match was supposed to be a final test of Tottenham Hotspur’s title credentials, it confirmed so much more than that. Their eventual 2-0 win over Manchester City put them back on top of the table - at least temporarily - and showed the team is only going in one direction. That is whatever direction Mourinho tells them, as they are so clearly focused and committed to his current approach.
By contrast, City looked a much more disparate outfit, as they remain adrift at 10th in the table. Guardiola’s new contract did not offer the immediate jolt the team needed. There was no energy to their play at all. It was all so much flatter than the great Guardiola sides we’re used to. They don’t look a team to fear any more.
From there, Mourinho just did what was obvious, but still displayed absolute focus. He told his side to let City have all the sterile possession they wanted, and pounce the minute they lost it. This happened last season, and it happened again and again here.
READ MORE: Premier League fixtures and table - all matches by date and kick-off time
It was so often as if they were trying to do everything that you would associate with Guardiola’s greatest triumphs, but with so much less intensity. You could see the patterns, but couldn’t see the effects. It was the same principles of play, but different principles of application.One of the few exceptions was Kevin De Bruyne, but he can’t do it all on his own.And it was indicative that, just when the Belgian was beginning to exert his influence, Mourinho did that to a greater degree.Giovani Lo Celso was brought on to steady things, and keep control, but not even Mourinho could have thought that would extend to the scoreline as much as the play. With his first touches, the Argentine won the game. City, meanwhile, again just lost concentration.
In response, the deposed champions had nothing. They drew another blank.There was meanwhile just a blank look on Guardiola’s face, as he could be seen staring into space on the bench in those futile final minutes.None of that with Spurs. They were full of emotion, and ultimately took full points.This weekend get a £10 free bet with Betfair, when you bet £10 on a Same Game Multi on the Premier League. Terms: Min £10 Same Game Multi bet on any EPL match this Fri - Sun. Free bet valid for 72 hours, awarded at bet settlement. Excludes cashed out bets. T&Cs apply.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments