Man City vs Tottenham LIVE: Premier League result and final score as James Maddison stars in shock thrashing
City were beaten by Tottenham in the Carabao Cup last month to start what’s now a five-game losing run in all competitions
Manchester City hosted Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League after Pep Guardiola renewed his contract at the Etihad - but it failed to change the momentum of his team, as Spurs ran out incredible 4-0 winners to inflict a fifth straight defeat on City.
Erling Haaland missed two early chances but Spurs scored with their first attack, James Maddison netting from Dejan Kulusevski’s cross. Maddison immediately netted his second, clipping in after a Son Heung Min pass, and while City would have hoped for a fast start after half time it was Pedro Porro who instead next scored, rifling in within minutes of the restart.
City continued to push and Vicario had to make a few saves, but it was without real threat or belief and Timo Werner teed up Brennan Johnson for a late fourth on the counter. Follow live reaction from Manchester City vs Tottenham in our live blog, below.
Pep’s contract wasn’t Man City’s answer - but Maddison might be Spurs’
Five in a row has taken on a different meaning for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola. It was supposed to signify their pursuit of an unprecedented fifth consecutive English title. Instead, the immediate significance comes from another historic first. Guardiola has lost five consecutive matches, his worst ever run bookended by reverses against Tottenham Hotspur.
If the first scarcely left City distraught, with Guardiola unworried by exiting the Carabao Cup, the latest was more emphatic, more meaningful, more chastening, more stunning. Guardiola’s joint heaviest defeat became an embarrassment. He risks being expelled from the title race. City could find themselves eight points behind Liverpool on Sunday, perhaps returning from Anfield next week 11 adrift.
Empires can collapse suddenly and dramatically but City’s was supposed to have been reinforced. This began as an evening of celebration; it became one of humiliation and capitulation. The new-contract bounce, of Guardiola committing his future to the club until 2027, lasted for about 12 minutes of football. The gaudy on-pitch presentation of the Ballon d’Or to Rodri was followed by an illustration of how much City miss their injured talisman. A third straight league defeat showed a now familiar fragility. City were caught on the break too easily and too often. A team without a proper defensive midfielder lost to one with a potent attacking midfielder.
Because, while the Spaniard gazed on from the stands, the dominant figure was James Maddison. Perhaps a fit Rodri would have prevented his seven-minute double – Maddison was left unmarked for each, beautifully as he took them – as the recalled, resurgent Englishman upstaged the City manager and award winner. He once infamously said that, when he goes out for a roast dinner with his family, he wants to be the main man.
He turned this evening into his 28th birthday party. Maddison had spent much of the last month on the bench. This was quite a comeback.
Richard Jolly:
Guardiola’s contract wasn’t the answer for Man City - but Maddison might be Spurs’
Man City 0-4 Spurs: Maddison scored a brace with Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson also netting
FT - Man City 0-4 Tottenham
That’s it, it’s full time - Manchester City 0, Tottenham Hotspur 4...if you can believe it.
It’s five straight defeats for Man City, a first time ever in the managerial career for Pep Guardiola that’s happened, and it’s three straight Premier League defeats for them too.
For Spurs, it’s back to winning ways and they’ll rise to sixth place, after defeats for Forest and Villa today. A simply huge win for them.
GOAL! 90+2’ - Man City 0-4 Spurs
Bergvall skips away in the centre, Akanji pulls him back, yellow card.
A woeful day all around for the champions, who could be eight points behind Liverpool by tomorrow night. The league leaders are away at bottom club Southampton.
And in fact...it’s got even worse! Timo Werner speeds past his man down the left, crosses low to the far post and there’s Johnson sliding in to roll the ball over the line for 4-0!
90’ - Man City 0-3 Spurs
Three subs in the end for Spurs - Djed Spence is on for Udogie and it’s Bergvall for Sarr too.
We head into stoppage time and there will be four minutes.
88’ - Man City 0-3 Spurs
Another counter and this time it’s Johnson played in down the left; he rounds Ederson and shoots from a narrow angle - it hits the post and comes out, but the offside flag is up against him. City play on regardless as they look for a consolation.
Timo Werner comes on as sub for James Maddison, who makes Vicario the third Spurs captain of the day. A very happy birthday for the England international.
84’ - Man City 0-3 Spurs
To their credit, City have still pushed on in the last 15 and tried to create openings, but they are all half-chances or simply moments of sights of goal, rather than clear efforts. Silva has the latest, full on the volley, but well over the bar.
Gvardiol then spins and shoots over the bar...but he’s offside anyway.
80’ - Man City 0-3 Spurs
Another save from Vicario, denying Haaland, then De Bruyne commits a foul and everything gets a bit unnecessarily angry. Pushing and shoving, everyone grouped in the Spurs box, then it settles. De Bruyne is booked for his tackle.
Final thoughts from Richard Jolly as we enter the game’s late stages:
“Is there any way back for City? Guardiola shuffled the pack at the break, moving Lewis into the middle and Foden to the left, but without making a major difference. He has now brought on Kevin de Bruyne and Jack Grealish; Grealish is now the third played to go on the left wing for City tonight. Guardiola may be tinkering more in desperation than with inspiration.”
76’ - Man City 0-3 Spurs
Two more chances for City as Silva gets in behind the Spurs defence and tries a cut-back, just about cleared, then Vicario is called upon as a fierce strike is aimed at his near post.
The keeper berates his teammtes for letting City have this dominant spell, but then Akanji commits a foul on the edge of the box and is outraged when it’s actually given.
Then it’s a yellow card for Bernardo Silva for a swiping, lunging tackle on Maddison, who has totally upstaged and outclassed him this afternoon.
72’ - Man City 0-3 Spurs
Gvardiol shoots from range but it’s easy for Vicario to save.
It’s a double change now for City - De Bruyne and Grealish on for Savinho and Lewis. All or nothing for the hosts naturally, but will Spurs shut up shop or go full Postecoglou and try to smash their opponents on the break?
68’ - Man City 0-3 Spurs
City seem bereft of ideas and intent in this half. That Porro goal has really taken their hope and their usual ferocity.
Kevin de Bruyne is about to make his return but it will have to be some performance from him to help them back into this match.
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