Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as Thomas Frank got a huge win against Pep Guardiola’s error-strewn side.
MORE — Reaction from Pep Guardiola | Reaction from Thomas Frank
City have now lost seven of their last 13 Premier League games against Spurs, with Guardiola losing more games against them than any other side.
MORE — Watch Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur full replay
Spurs were dangerous on the counter and that’s how Brennan Johnson put them ahead, while Joao Palhinha made the most of a huge goalkeeping error to give the north London a 2-0 lead before the break.
City huffed and puffed but never really looked like getting something from this game, as Guardiola cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines.
MORE — Man City showcase why they are outsiders for Premier League title
Spurs have now won back-to-back league games to start the season and kept clean sheets in both. City have just three points on the board and plenty of weaknesses were shown in this game.
Sloppy City play into Spurs’ hands
It has only been a few months but you can already see that Spurs are a peak Thomas Frank side. They pressed high at the right moments, defended resolutely and were a constant threat on the counter as they didn’t stop running. City were the opposite as new players who have been signed in 2025 littered their lineup but Pep Guardiola’s side made the same mistakes which have been costly against Spurs, and many other counter-attacking teams, in recent years. Young goalkeeper James Trafford had a tough outing and City were their own worst enemies with overplaying at the back, while they had no control in midfield as Spurs overran them all over the pitch. This was a humbling defeat for City and shows just how far they have to go to be genuine title contenders this season. As for Spurs, this deserved win is a massive boost for Frank and gives his players huge belief to follow his plan. They looked robust and confident and if injuries are kind to them, especially in defense, they will challenge for the top four this season.
What’s next?
Spurs host Bournemouth on Saturday, August 30. Man City head to Brighton on Sunday, August 31.
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur score: 0-2
Johnson 35', Palhinha 45+2'
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Solanke, Odebert denied
Trafford pushes away Solanke’s low shot, then pushes away Odobert’s header on the rebound.
Odobert smashes wide
Substitute Bergvall does well on the break and pulls it back for Odobert but under pressure he smashes wide. City taking plenty of chances now.
Silva loops a header over
Bernardo Silva loops a header towards the back post but it goes just over with Haaland lurking. Time is running out for City.
Brilliant tackle from Van de Ven!
Jeremy Doku surges into the box and cuts the ball back. Just as Foden is about to finish, Micky van de Ven arrives with a great block. Superb defending.
Rodri heads straight at Vicario
The subs combine as Foden whips in a corner and Rodri has a free header. But he heads straight at Vicario. That is City’s first attempt on goal in the second half.
Rodri and Foden come on
Final roll of the dice for Manchester City. Phil Foden and Rodri are on with 15 minutes left of normal time. Too little too late?
Not much happening in the second half
Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku are on for Marmoush and Cherki, but not much has changed. Spurs look very comfortable.
Thomas Frank speaking at half time
Frank has been speaking to TNT Sports in the UK and is obviously delighted with the first half. He admits the plan is going very well, but is focused on things Spurs can do a bit better and clean things up. The main theme: be brave.
Keeping brave 😤
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 23, 2025
Thomas Frank provides his half-time thoughts on Spurs' 2-0 lead 💭
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/1wlYMewpa5
Half time: Manchester City 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Well, well, well. We’ve been here before with Spurs dominating City on the counter and it has happened again. Brennan Johnson’s goal on the break got Spurs going and then an awful mistake from James Trafford allowed Joao Palhinha to make it 2-0. Spurs in dreamland. Huge amount of work for City to do to get something from this one.
Haaland heads over the bar from close range
Erling Haaland somehow heads over the from five yards out. That looked certain to be a goal right on half time for City. Haaland can’t believe it.
Palhinha smashes home after a horrible mess from Trafford!
Oh no. Young goalkeeper James Trafford with a horrible pass to Gonzalez in the box which Sarr wins. Richarlison looks like he’s going to score, but the ball drops to Palhinha and he drills home. Spurs are 2-0 up and that is a gift from City!
Kudus caught by Trafford, then Porro goes down on the edge of the box
City are all over the place at the back. Kudus is in but Trafford comes out and catches him and the ball hits his arm outside the box too. Hmm. Moments later Pedro Porro goes down on the edge of the box. It’s a foul but nothing is given and VAR checks for a penalty kick. Nothing given. Spurs well on top now.
Spurs have the ball in the net, the offside flag is up... but it stands!
Richarlison is played in over the top and crosses for Brennan Johnson to slot home. But the offside flag goes up. VAR is checking the decision. It is so tight... and the goal STANDS! Spurs celebrate and City are stunned. Great play from Richarlison and that is a tidy finish from Johnson.
#MCITOT – 35’ VAR OVERTURN
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) August 23, 2025
VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for Tottenham Hotspur - and established that Richarlison was in an onside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was awarded. pic.twitter.com/aaSvzOEIlA
Brilliant save from Vicario!
Wow. Great strength from Erling Haaland and then he turns into a playmaker to slot through a perfect pass to Marmoush. Vicario comes rushing off his line and saves well. Brilliant from Haaland. City cranking through the gears now.
Ake on for Ait Nouri
Rayan Ait Nouri took a whack earlier when he challenged Kudus but he can’t continue. Nathan Ake comes on at left back for Man City.
Vicario denies Marmoush
Omar Marmoush has looked very lively on the left for City early on. He cuts inside and drills a shot on goal which Vicario can only push away but the rebound doesn’t fall to Erling Haaland. Much better control from City now.
Marmoush is so close!
Okay, here we go. Things have livened up now. A ball over the top finds Omar Marmoush with Porro and Vicario getting in a bit of a mess. Marmoush’s shot from a tight angle beats Vicario, but it also rolls inches wide of the far post. Great effort from the Egyptian.
Porro smashes a rebound just wide
A dangerous free kick for Spurs sees Pedro Porro smash his first attempt into the wall, but his rebound is much better as he drills a rasper just wide.
Pep Guardiola 🤝 Thomas Frank
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 23, 2025
The Man City and Spurs managers share a moment before kickoff at the Etihad. pic.twitter.com/SdySser4Vd
Manchester City lineup
Trafford; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ait Nouri; Reijnders, Gonzalez; Bobb, Cherki, Marmoush; Haaland
Tottenham Hotspur lineup
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Bentancur; Kudus, Sarr, Johnson; Richarlison
Manchester City team news, focus
OUT: Mateo Kovacic (calf), Josko Gvardiol (knock), Savinho (undisclosed), Kalvin Phillips (achilles), Marcus Bettinelli (knock), Claudio Echeverri (ankle)
Tottenham Hotspur team news, focus
OUT: Manor Solomon (calf), Bryan Gil (knee), James Maddison (torn ACL - MORE), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Yves Bissouma (undisclosed),, Radu Dragusin (knee), Kota Takai (foot) | QUESTIONABLE: Destiny Udogie (knee)
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur prediction
Spurs will get their chances but City are stronger from the start and significantly deeper in terms of game-changing players and ideas. Frank changes the latter quite a bit, but it’s too early in the project to expect such a statement result. Man City 2-1 Spurs.
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur preview
Man City walloped Wolves at the Molineux in Week 1 as Erling Haaland scored a pair of goals and Tijjani Reijnders looked a natural fit for Pep Guardiola’s system. Spurs also had a great season-opening result, as Thomas Frank’s men clobbered Burnley 3-0 in North London.
Frank won at the Etihad Stadium with Brentford in 2022, but his record versus Guardiola isn’t spectacular aside from that. Frank’s teams are 2W-1D-5L versus City dating back to December 29, 2021, though they’ve never lost by more than two goals — a decent achievement against the City dynasty.
How to watch Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7:30am ET Saturday
Venue: Etihad Stadium — Manchester
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
