/https://sportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net/uploads/2025/08/imago1065098735-1-689dc856044cd203680201.jpg "Spurs set record in City win as Champions League hopes under - Sports Mole")
Tottenham Hotspur became the first side to ever score the first goal in five consecutive Premier League away outings at the Etihad when they beat Manchester City 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Spurs travelled to the Etihad on the weekend and once again beat Pep Guardiola's City side, with goals from Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha enough to secure all three points.
The victory left the club in second place prior to Sunday's fixtures with six points, and the team only totalled four points after four matchweeks in 2024-25.
Boss Thomas Frank has enjoyed a positive start to life as Tottenham head coach, with the Danish manager continuing Spurs' impressive form against City, helping the side win for the fourth time in five matches against the Citizens.
Frank's short but impressive time in the dugout has fuelled optimism that he can guide the Londoners to the Champions League via league placement despite fierce competition from the likes of Newcastle United and Aston Villa.
What has Thomas Frank improved so far at Tottenham?
Tottenham's win against City saw them keep their second clean sheet in two league games, whereas it took them nine matches to keep their opponents at bay twice in the top flight last season.
Spurs faced 13.66 shots and 4.66 shots on target per 90 in the Premier League in 2024-25, but they have so far faced 12 shots and four shots on target per 90 this league campaign.
Under previous boss Ange Postecoglou, the Londoners often struggled to prevent counter-attacks leading to dangerous chances, but midfielder Pape Sarr has excelled so far under Frank, and he has helped limit the damage opponents have been able to cause when possession has been lost.
The current Tottenham manager has also helped platform attacker Richarlison, who struggled to impact games last season but has so far scored two goals and registered one Premier League assist in two matches.
Can Tottenham qualify for the Champions League?
Tottenham will be participating in the 2025-26 edition of the Champions League thanks to their Europa League triumph in 2024-25, but their only pathway to the competition next term will almost certainly be through the Premier League.
The club finished 17th last campaign, but the team's performances have been strong so far this season, with Frank's side posing European champions Paris Saint-Germain a number of challenges before losing on penalties in the UEFA Super Cup final on August 13.
Spurs will face more difficult domestic tests in the coming months, and Frank's pedigree as a manager will be tested further, but the signs are positive.
Newcastle finished fifth and claimed the division's final Champions League spot last season, but they will likely be without talisman Alexander Isak for some time, while Aston Villa have struggled in the opening two games of the 2025-26 campaign.
If Spurs can carry their positive momentum forward into the next weeks and months, then they will have a strong chance of qualifying for Europe.