Manchester City suffered their fifth consecutive defeat in all competitions after being humiliated at their own Etihad by Tottenham 0:4. The Citizens are in an unprecedented crisis and were far from their best days, although earlier this week the team's manager Pep Guardiola re-signed with the club. Before the first referee's signal of the match of the 12th round of the Premier League, Rodri presented the "Golden Ball" to the fans.
The opening minutes were for the hosts and Erling Haaland had good opportunities to open the scoring, but he was unable to overcome Guglielmo Vicario. It came to the 13th minute, when the birthday boy James Maddison scored from an excellent cross from Dejan Kulusevski and pierced Ederson from close range for 1:0. Soon after, Spurs' pressure led to a mistake by Josko Guardiol. Maddison took control, combined with Heung-Min Son, who found him in the penalty area with a precise pass and the English international made it 2-0. At the beginning of the second half, the champions capitulated for the third time. The middle of the field was again easily lost, the ball reached Kulusevski, who passed to Dominic Solanke. The Londoners' striker returned to Pedro Porro, who did not hesitate to make it three. City took the initiative, but without result, and in the end was punished with a fourth goal, made by Brennan Johnson. Tottenham's reserve scored after a pass from another of Ange Postecoglou's substitutes - Timo Werner - on an empty net.
Thus, Spurs recorded a famous victory at the Etihad and are sixth in the standings with 19 points. Manchester City have lost their third consecutive Premier League game after defeats to Bournemouth and Brighton and their fifth in all competitions. It is also a new record for Guardiola's coaching career, which "bettered" his achievement in the defeat to Brighton. Manchester's run began with a defeat to Tottenham in the League Cup on October 30. City lost for the first time at the Etihad in all competitions since November 2022, when they fell to Brentford in the Premier League - a run of 52 games. The team is also the first reigning champions to lose five consecutive games in all competitions since Chelsea in March 1956.
In their next match, The Citizens host Feyenoord in the Champions League, before the team visits Premier League leaders Liverpool. Manchester City can start the clash at Anfield eight points behind the Merseysiders. Tottenham host Roma first in the Europa League, then Fulham in Premiership. | BGNES
