Tottenham vs Man City LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today
The champions will aim to bounce back after losing to Leicester in the Community Shield, while Nuno begins life at Spurs without Harry Kane in the squad
The Premier League champions Manchester City travel to London to face Tottenham Hotspur in their first game of their title defence. Pep Guardiola’s side strolled to their third title in four years, and added Jack Grealish for £100m to further cement their status as favourites to secure back-to-back titles.
While another blockbuster move for Spurs captain Harry Kane could yet materialise, with the England forward eyeing a move away amid a transition this summer and Nuno Espirito Santo taking over. Spurs will have to contend with playing in this season’s Europa Conference League too, though pre-season has shown some positive signs, while Leicester City defeated the Cityzens in the Community Shield, which could prompt a reaction here.
Guardiola is fearful of another slow start to the season, having dropped points in five of the opening eight games last term: “Before, it was four or five weeks for preparation in pre-season, now (Thursday) is the first day we were all together. It is completely different. It is similar to last season when we played against Wolves without any friendly games having been played. People asked me how the team was and I didn’t know! I hadn’t seen them. That is why the mentality, and being strong in the head will be important.
“We know we are still a way from our best condition. We couldn’t have a pre-season for 75 or 80 per cent of the players but the most important thing we did last season was adjust, adapt and not complain. Day by day, week by week, game by game, we rejoined the players to the team dynamic and put them in the best condition. That’s why we had success last season because we did not cry in the beginning.”
Follow live updates, analysis and reaction from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with build-up to the big game and updates from the end of Newcastle vs West Ham:
Jarrod Bowen determined to look forward at West Ham
“What happened last season is done now. All our focus is on the new season. I feel like we will put in a good performance. Obviously, it’s the first game of the season and we want to get off on the right foot, but with what we did last season, we want to carry that form into the start of the season.
“It was obviously an unbelievable season for us to get 65 points and European football here. There was even talk at one stage about getting into the Champions League, which is a remarkable achievement for us coming from avoiding relegation the previous year. The Champions League wasn’t meant to be, but we still got Europa League, so it’s going to be good for me personally - something I have never experienced before. It’ll be really good to play in that and hopefully have a good run in it.”
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