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:
Premier League: Tottenham 0-0 Man City
8 min: Dier does well to keep a cross coming in from Cancelo.
The throw in leads Man City back to the midfield and Mendy makes an error, Son gets to it.
Son is then criticised for not taking Ake on to get into the box.
Premier League: Tottenham 0-0 Man City
6 min: Again from City.
Mahrez gets a shot away which is blocked from Skipp and then Cancelo gets a rebound hit that goes wide.
Complete domination from Guardiola’s side.
Premier League: Tottenham 0-0 Man City
5 min: City opt for a short corner and then the ball is whipped in.
Lloris comes out to punch away and he is lucky Fernandinho’s header goes wide.
Strong from City so far.
Premier League: Tottenham 0-0 Man City
3 min: Gundogan takes the kick and it curls over the goal.
Skipp gets a head to it from the wall, City corner.
Premier League: Tottenham 0-0 Man City
2 min: Different club, same story for Grealish.
He gets the ball and surges into the box but he is brought down by Skipp.
Man City free kick
Premier League: Tottenham 0-0 Man City
1 min: The early stages have been all City with Mendy getting a good pass away to Sterling who lost the ball.
Spurs tried to build phases but City are controlling the game, particularly through passes between their back three.
Premier League: Tottenham 0-0 Man City
Kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium!
Will we see the impact of Grealish in this star studded team? And will Spurs feel the absence of Kane?
All the answers to come in the next 90 minutes.
Premier League: Tottenham vs Man City
Five minutes to go until kick-off in this one.
Will City get their defence off to a perfect start?
Premier League: Tottenham vs Man City
Pep Guardiola has spoken about selection and £100m signing Jack Grealish ahead of kick-off.
He said: “Jack is not going to solve our problems or our good things so we will play him how we want to.
“He has to be himself, he has come for many years. Maybe he will adapt quicker or us to him.
“Raheem [Sterling] has his special physical quality and the others [like Kevin de Bruyne] need more time.”
Premier League: Tottenham vs Man City
Can Spurs upset the defending champions?
City’s manager Pep Guardiola says despite not having a full pre-season with international stars the right mentality can see them have success, just like last season.
He said: “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.
“We looked at what we could do to improve the team and when we arrived in some moment we started to win and win and win, and during four months we were unbeatable. That is why we won the Premier League and we arrived in the last stage of all the competitions.”
Pep Guardiola fearing another slow start from Manchester City
City dropped points in five of their opening eight Premier League games last year.
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