Manchester City FC

City were in fine form at Wolves on the opening day after a 4-0 success but went down 2-0 to Tottenham this afternoon.

First half goals from Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha did the damage as Thomas Frank’s men spoiled our return to the Etihad.

Guardiola, reacting to the loss in his post-match press conference, stressed how early it was in the season and insisted he has no doubts about his team going-forward.

“The game against Spurs this season was a lot of build up and man marking like against Brentford in the past,” he said.

“You have to play in a different way. We spoke about that.

“We missed the simple things. I never asked them to play exceptional things.

“The first was about effort to run and that was extraordinary like it has been for many years.

“I don’t have doubts. Last season, we didn’t achieve but in the training we were really good.

“In the pressure, we missed simple things and then we create enough chances but it’s happened, it’s football.

“It’s just the second game. Last game against Wolves, everyone said everything it’s fine and I said it’s just one game and a lot is going to happen.

“I know how we are working and what the players are doing. There are many good things but we have to improve.

“Step by step we will improve and make more connections.”

The Blues spurned a couple of decent opportunities before conceding two late goals in the first period.

From there on, a focused and organised Tottenham rarely looked like conceding in a game Pep Guardiola and his players will want to move quickly on from.

The game in 250 words

The first-half was one of pure frustration for City,

Up against Thomas Frank’s physical and defensive side, chances were few and far between.

The two best opportunities both fell to Omar Marmoush, who narrowly missed from a tight angle on eight minutes, and then on 28, Erling Haaland’s excellent driving run ended with a through ball to the Egyptian who had just Vicario to beat, but saw his shot easily saved.

Spurs had offered little in attack before they went ahead on 38 minutes as Richarlison raced down the right and his low cross was converted by Brennan Johnson.

Initially disallowed for offside, VAR overturned the decision, and in added time, James Trafford’s attempted pass was intercepted by Richarlison and Joao Palhinha doubled the visitors’ lead.

City huffed and puffed after the break, looking for a goal that could spark a comeback and get the Etihad rocking, but as time wore on, there was a feeling of inevitability that it wasn’t going to be our day.

Opportunities were few and far between, with Rodri seeing a header from a corner easily saved and Phil Foden denied by a determined defence after good work by Jeremy Doku.

Tottenham’s continued habit of wasting time at goal-kicks and throw-ins went largely unpunished by the referee, further frustrating the City fans and players in what had become an increasingly niggly, scrappy affair.

All in all, it was a bad day at the office for the Blues who will already be looking forward to the next game.

Key takeaways

Ait Nouri concern

Barely 20 minutes into his home debut, Rayan Ait-Nouri sat down on the turf, his afternoon over.

He’d been hobbling since a block tackle a few minutes earlier, and despite trying to run it off after treatment, he was forced off shortly after.

Visibly upset, let’s hope it is nothing more than an impact injury and nothing more.

Rodri and Foden’s return

Two players so vital to Pep Guardiola’s starting XI came off the bench with 20 minutes remaining.

There was little they could do to affect a game where the visitors rarely looked like conceding, with Thomas Frank’s side using their collective defensive focus and physicality to good effect.

But the fact they were on the pitch can only be a positive on a largely forgettable day at the Etihad.

Match highlights

To follow at 17:15 (UK)

As a result…

City’s 11-match unbeaten run in the league is over and after the weekend matches, we are likely to slip back towards midtable in the early Premier League table.

Guardiola’s view

“The game against them this season was like against Brentford.

“ You have to play in different way. We spoke about that. We missed the simple things.

“The first was effort to run, that was extraordinary. I don’t have doubts.

“Last season, we didn’t achieve. In the pressure, we missed simple things and then we create chances, but it’s happened, it’s football.

“It’s just the second game. Last game v Wolves, everyone said it’s fine and I said it’s jut one game.

“I know how we are working and what the players are doing. Many good things but we have to improve.

“Step by step we will improve and make more connections.”

Match Reaction

RUBEN DIAS: “Spurs are a team who can be very dangerous, they started the game very well. We didn’t react the best way in sticking to our game.

“The second goal is unfortunate, it cannot happen. We chased but there was a lot of things to do better.

“Not everything was good in our first game and not everything is bad now so we have to get back to work.”

“It’s frustrating, we want to win even more at home in front of our fans in our first home game. It is what it is, it’s football and we look forward.”

THOMAS FRANK: “Very delighted. Extremely proud of the players. It was an exceptional performance.

“We know it’s always difficult to play against City here at the Etihad. The first 35 minutes, City were on top.

“Then we had a big mentality shift in terms of staying in the game and we scored the goal and changed the momentum.

“Second half we were very good. We were front footed with our mindset. The clean sheet makes me very happy, it’s a big thing we’ve been working on.”

Team sheets

CITY: Trafford, Lewis, Stones, Dias (C), Ait-Nouri (Ake 22), Nico (Rodri 75), Reijnders, Bobb (Foden 75), Cherki (Doku 54(, Marmoush (Bernardo 54), Haaland

Subs: Ederson, Nunes, O’Reilly, Khusanov

SPURS: Vicario, Porro, Romero (C), Van de Ven, Spence, Palhinha (Danso 90), Sarr, Bentancur, Kudus (Bergvall 86), Johnson (Odobert 78), Richarlison (Solanke 78)

Subs: Kinsky, Tel, Gray, Vuskovic, Davies

Up next…

City are next in action next Sunday with a Premier League clash away to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Kick-off at the Amex Stadium is 14:00 (UK) in what should be a fascinating clash on the south coast.

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We start with Clive Allen, a prolific striker who banged in goals for both City and Tottenham.

How easy a decision was it to join Manchester City in 1989 and what was Mel Machin like as manager?

Well, I’d obviously been in France for a year with Bordeaux.

And the opportunity to come back to England was a big one, obviously City being the club that were interested in signing me. It was an exciting opportunity I felt.

I really liked Mel too. As I spoke to him, he explained obviously that there was a number of very talented youngsters that had moved into the first team squad.

Obviously, I was at an age where he felt my experience could help and the prospect was really exciting.

I knew of the young players and the quality that they had and just felt it was it was a really good fit.

I think I’d always remembered my time when I came to City as a schoolboy at 14. I nearly signed for City then. I was looked after and treated so well that the opportunity to come to City at the end of my career, I wasn’t going to pass it up a second time.

How strong a bond did you have with City fans because they seemed to take to you immediately?

It was fantastic. They were great with me. We had a great rapport. I just felt very much at home.

I just loved the atmosphere in terms of the way the club was, the home fans and then the away support I always felt was incredible. They were so passionate about the club.

I think that was the thing that really hit home.

It was a really homely club from the moment I walked in.

Obviously, over the years I’ve been back numerous times and there’s still lots of people there now that were there when I was there - which is fantastic!

Injury kept you out of the 5-1 win over United – was that a hard one to watch from the stands?

Yes I was obviously delighted with the result. But it’s always difficult watching and not playing and particularly in a game like that which is still remembered fondly to this day.

Unfortunately I got injured and wasn’t able to play.

I just remember it was a magical day to win in the way that we did.

Obviously, I would love to have been playing but it was great for everybody involved at the club. It really was.

You played with some top players but has good was Paul Lake?

Exceptional! Exceptional talent.

It was tragic the injury that he picked up.

I think he would have had an incredible career in respect of playing for England, I have no doubt about that.

I think everybody knew the undoubted quality that he had. We saw it from a very young age.

And it was it was so sad that he didn’t have the opportunity to have a long career.

Fast forwarding, Howard Kendall came in – what was he like to play for – different from Mel Machin?

Absolutely yes. Howard had his own unique way.

He was old-school type manager. He trained with us every day. You could see that he was obviously in his day an unbelievable footballer.

I think he had a great understanding of professional footballers, how they worked and the way they thought. I did enjoy it with Howard.

I have to say he was one of the best man managers that I worked with over my career.

As time went on, the partnership of Niall Quinn and David White restricted your opportunities…

Yes, I would say that. Adrian Heath was brought in as well. Wayne Clark too.

Ironically, I left when Peter Reid took over and he didn’t feel that that combination was working, although in the games leading up to me knowing that my time here was numbered at City, I think I scored two or three goals and Quinny had made each of them.

So it was just a frustrating time, really, because I thought that I’d struck up a really good rapport with Quinny, who was, a typical centre forward who I could play off of.

I think the way I look back on it now is I just wish I’d played more games with him.

The City fans wanted you to play more and made their feelings known – especially when you were recalled and scored twice away to Notts County, nice to have their backing…

Absolutely. They were incredible.

Obviously, I had that period where I hadn’t been involved, came back into the team or came on as a substitute actually in that game and the reaction and the response from them was unbelievable.

I’d obviously missed it not being involved, but I think they showed how they felt, certainly.

I’ll never ever forget that game. That was incredible one.

Was there a clash of personalities with Peter Reid at the time?

Yes, I think so. Peter was a young manager. I’d played in the same team as Peter.

It was early days in his managerial career and he went on to be a fantastic manager and he was a fantastic player and a great competitor.

But I think in those very early days, we just didn’t see eye-to-eye.

But listen, that’s football. We’re good friends now. I’ve worked with him many times in the media over the years and it’s quite interesting that we see a lot of things in a similar light.

It was the way it was at that time.

Do you wish you’d had longer in a City shirt than you did?

Yeah, I’d always say that, yes.

But I’ve always said that whatever moment in your career you’re at, you have to make what you think is the best decision at that time.

Looking back in hindsight, yes I would have loved to have stayed on and played many more games, of course.

Favourite moment in a City shirt?

I’d go Boxing Day 1989 against Norwich City at Maine Road.

I came on a sub and scoring the winning goal.

Again, I’d been in and out of the team. I’d got the chance to come on and you know, obviously, being able to score was what I was paid to do.

I’ll always remember that one.

You were at White Hart Lane before your time at City, how much did you enjoy your time with Tottenham?

Yes it was a fantastic period in my career.

Obviously, I was following in my father’s footsteps going back.

When I arrived, I just felt very much at home because I’d grown up going to Tottenham obviously hearing about how fantastic the Double side was.

But I’d always felt it was my destiny, really, that the opportunity to go and follow in his footsteps.

So, yes being at Spurs was a special time for me, obviously.

Talk to us about that 1986/87 season with Spurs - PFA Players’ Player of the Year, Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year, PFA Team of the Year – stuff of dreams…

It was incredible breaking the club record.

It was obviously a record goals-wise too until Erling smashed it here in the Treble season.

What an experience that was. I was playing in the team, taking chances.

As a goalscorer, I got off to the perfect start with a hat trick on the opening day of the season in a 3-0 win at Aston Villa and I really never looked back.

It was a team that was built to attack, created great chances and fortunately, I was on the front line to be on the end of a lot of them.

So it was a wonderful experience and obviously I hope that club record never gets beaten. But I certainly appreciate what Erling has done here ironically, scoring 52 across all competitions when City won the League, FA Cup and Champions League.

Did you imagine Erling Haaland - or anyone else for that matter - would ever top that?

I thought it was amazing – the way he went about it when he came to the club.

Was it going to work? We saw very, very quickly and very clearly that the fit was perfect and I have to say even now, City are always a better team when Erling plays.

What have you made of what City have become in the Pep Guardiola era?

It’s been nothing short of sensational.

I think the quality of players that have lifted the club to where they’ve gone to, I think having had the success that they had over such a long period of time has to be great credit to him and his staff and the recruitment.

And the players and the way they have come to City and had to perform at the level that they had.

City have been all powerful for many years now and I think will be very, very strong again this season.

Playing Tottenham – new manager this season in Thomas Frank, what are you expecting from them?

I think they’re going to be very difficult to beat. I think they’ be organised, very, very tough team to break down.

Obviously, Thomas is studious with the game and the players know exactly what they need to do or what he wants them to do.

So I think it’s going to be going to be very interesting season.

Obviously, it was a bittersweet season last season winning the Europa League was an incredible achievement, considering the league campaign that they’d had.

The experience of the Europa and qualifying for the Champions League, they’re in a very high level. So it’s going to be a big test, a big test for the squad, it’s going to be a big test for Thomas as well.

But I think that he’s more than capable of it.

Khiara Keating, Alex Greenwood, Jess Park and Lauren Hemp were all members of Sarina Wiegman’s side who lifted the trophy this summer following a memorable tournament in Switzerland.

There was further success for Andrée Jeglertz’s side in the off-season too as Kerolin won the 2025 Copa America with Brazil in Ecuador.

GET YOUR JOIE STADIUM WSL TICKETS

And all five players will be celebrated for their exploits at the Etihad Stadium, alongside the European Championship trophy, before our men’s team play Tottenham on Saturday 23 August.

To see them, we recommend supporters are in their seats no later than 12:15 (UK).

In addition to this, the Women’s European Championship trophy will be on display on the first floor of the Etihad Stadium retail store between 9:00 and 11:00 for supporters to see and have photos taken with.

City captain Greenwood and skilful winger Hemp both started England’s final victory over Spain as the Lionesses prevailed on penalties and the former scored a vital spot-kick in the shootout.

Meanwhile, Kerolin played a key part in Brazil’s success – scoring a hat-trick in a group stage win over Bolivia and playing in the showpiece win over Colombia.

All international stars have now returned to the Club after the fantastic summer for women’s football before we play our first game of the Barclays Women’s Super League season against Chelsea on Friday 5 September at Stamford Bridge.

City return to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday for our first home game of the season when we face Spurs at 12:30 (UK).

Both Foden and Rodri travelled to Wolves for our 4-0 victory on the opening day but were not part of the matchday squad.

But the boss said they are in contention to face Thomas Frank’s side after stepping up their preparations ahead of the game.

“Rodri and Phil in the last game they were out but for just the reason why - a lack of training and rhythm and they didn’t travel to Palermo and the other guys were doing it all through pre-season,” Guardiola said in his pre-match news conference.

“They were not [ready] for 90 minutes against Wolves but they were ready and of course they are ready for tomorrow.”

ONE MOMENT IN TIME | FODEN’S BIG IMPACT

Rodri missed much of the 2024/25 season after suffering a knee injury.

The boss wants to be careful with the current Ballon d’Or holder to ensure he doesn’t suffer any setbacks but has no doubts about what he brings.

“I just want a consistent Rodri - that’s all,” Pep said. “I don’t have any doubts about his potential and quality.

“He’s still so far the best player in the world until we elect a new one in a few months.

“I don’t have any doubts. Just consistency at training, weeks, training, games, minutes and after everything will be fine.”

The win at Molineux saw former Academy player James Trafford make his City debut with Ederson ruled out through illness.

Guardiola confirmed that the Brazilian is fit to play and he will make a decision on who will take the gloves after training.

“We will decide tomorrow or tonight or after dinner, [but we’re] happy,” he said.

“The new players bring a new energy, new everything.

“I’ve changed four or five or six times close staff and it’s tough but always they bring a new energy and ideas.

“Players are the same and James brings his youth and desire to play at the club he was born and grew in.

“We’re happy for the performance, but it’s just the first game. [We need to] just be consistent in the way we play and improve in the way we have done and we have to do better against Spurs.”

However, the boss said Croatian duo Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic will remain on the sidelines along with Savinho.

The Dane has arrived at Spurs this summer after almost seven years at Brentford in which he established the Bees as a Premier League side.

Now, Frank brings his new team to the Etihad Stadium for a 12:30 (UK) kick-off on Saturday.

Having gone up against Frank on eight occasions before and suffered defeat twice, Guardiola is well aware of his qualities.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Guardiola was full of praise for his opposite number.

“It’s too early to know but I don’t have any doubts that Thomas will do an incredible job like he did at Brentford,” he said.

“He’s a top-class manager in different scenarios with different alternatives in terms of how they can play. We saw it and we suffered it at Brentford.”

Watch the full press conference at the top of the page...

City v spurs app coverage

Our official app allows you to follow all of the action from the Etihad in one place.

Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, while our Matchday Live show will begin at around 11:15 (UK).

Steph Houghton and Michael Brown will be the guests on the latest Matchday Live show alongside presenter Cel Spellman, offering their expert insight before, during and after the action.

During the game you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Andy Morrison while our text commentary continues.

Make sure to have push notifications turned on as well, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and the team news.

We’ll have a quick-hit 2-minute highlights package available at 17:15 (UK), while you can sign-in to watch a free 8-minute edit at midnight. On CITY+ meanwhile, there’ll be our popular full-match replay as well as our new extended highlights offering which features the best 20 minutes of action from the game. Both are also available at midnight.

With just two days to go until our first home game of the 2025/26 Premier League season, our players are hard at work.

City host Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 23 August at 12:30 (UK) as we host for the first time this term.

The Blues will be hoping to carry forward confidence from their first game of the season against Wolves which saw us make the perfect start in the latest campaign.

First half strikes from Erling Haaland and Tijjani Reijnders saw us enter the break with a comfortable lead, before Haaland bagged a brace on 61 minutes and Rayan Cherki sealed what was an impressive 4-0 victory.

Back at the CFA, Pep Guardiola put his players through their paces as we focus towards the weekend.

We welcome Thomas Frank’s side to the Etihad Stadium in a 12:30 (UK) kick-off on Saturday.

Both sides enjoyed positive starts to the campaign last weekend, with City putting four past Wolves and Spurs recording a 3-0 defeat of newly promoted Burnley.

Here’s more, with the help of Opta data, on what to expect from Spurs…

Their 22 defeats from 38 games in the Premier League last term is actually the most of any side not to be relegated.

That form garnered 38 points, with 11 victories and five draws.

They lost five of their final six Premier League away games in 2024/25, although they haven’t lost a league game on the road in the month of August since 2015.

This season has started better of course, with plenty of change afoot since former boss Ange Postecoglou left north London in the summer.

Preferred formation

Spurs lined up with an attacking 4-3-3 in last week’s defeat of Burnley, similarly to how they set up under Postecoglou.

Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and Pape Sarr made up a very young, energetic midfield with wingers Brennan Johnson and Mohammed Kudus in support of Brazil’s Richarlison.

Argentina’s World Cup winner Cristian Romero has now been made captain and played next to Micky van de Ven at the heart of the defence in a partnership that could rival many of the Premier League’s best on its day.

Transfer activity

The key change at Spurs this summer came outside of the playing squad, with manager Ange Postecoglou making way for Brentford’s Thomas Frank.

On the pitch, two long-serving stars have left – with Son Heung-min and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg going to LA FC and Marseille respectively.

Last season’s loanees Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel became permanent members of the squad while West Ham winger Kudus grabbed the most headlines when he arrived last month.

Joao Palhinha, the former Fulham defensive midfielder, has also arrived on loan from Bayern Munich.

Manager

Before his move to Spurs, Thomas Frank was the Premier League’s second longest serving manager after almost seven years as Brentford’s boss.

He took charge of 153 Premier League games as manager of the Bees, winning 55 times and picking up 38 draws as he turned them into top-flight regulars.

Frank’s Brentford played eight times against City with the Dane in charge, winning twice.

Before Brentford, Frank was manager at one of Denmark’s biggest clubs – Brondby – for three years between 2013 and 2016.

Physio room

Spurs were without several of their favoured midfielders last week and it appears unlikely that trio will be back for this one.

James Maddison ruptured his ACL in his right knee during pre-season while Dejan Kulusevski and Yves Bissouma are expected back sooner than the England international.

Full-back Destiny Udogie and winger Manor Solomon are also nearing returns.

As always, we won’t know for sure until the teams are announced 75 minutes before kick-off!

How they score their goals

Given Spurs’ change of manager in the summer, the expectation is that they will also alter their style of play as Frank gets his feet under the desk.

Despite finishing 17th, Spurs’ haul of 64 goals in 2024/25 was more than 12 sides in the Premier League and as many as fourth-placed Chelsea.

Frank’s Brentford were also quite prolific, with only four teams netting more than their 66.

All three strikes last week came from inside the box, with Frank instructing his side to provide plentiful crosses from the byline for Richarlison.

Frank’s Brentford team became famed for their use of set pieces, including free-kicks, corners and throw-ins.

How they defend

Spurs’ method of defending under Postecoglou was often to push as high as possible and pressure teams deep into their own half.

Their 65 goals conceded was only better than relegated sides Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester, as well as 16th-placed Wolves.

Frank’s Brentford let in 57 goals last season, which again was more than many of their most direct rivals.

This season started well defensively for both sides last week, with City and Spurs amongst the nine teams yet to concede in this year’s Premier League.

Head-to-head at the Etihad

Spurs are one of very few sides to enjoy a strong record against City, with the Blues winning just four of our last 12 Premier League games home and away against them.

That includes two wins in their last four visits to the Etihad for Spurs, which is more than they did in their previous 11 visits combined.

Following their 4-0 victory here last season, they’re looking for consecutive wins away at City for the first time since May 2010.

In total, City have won 11 of the 28 Premier League games against Spurs we’ve hosted, with our visitors winning 12 and five ending in draws.

There’ll be music, authentic food and special performances outside East Reception ahead of kick-off from 10:00 (UK) on Saturday as we join together with Bahia, a sister CFG club, to help showcase their rich culture.

Pep Guardiola’s men will be aiming for three points to kickstart our home campaign against Tottenham after a brilliant win on the road at Wolves.

But before that, supporters can enjoy a real party mood and carnival atmosphere in the build-up.

Now in its third consecutive season, the Bahia activations celebrate the fusion of English and Brazilian cultures.

It proved hugely popular before our 5-1 win over Fulham in 2023 and 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town in 2024 – so much so that we have brought it back today for this new season.

Previous years have seen the focus on music but this year, ‘Bahia in Manchester’ goes even further, leaning into

Esporte Clube Bahia’s them of ‘Bahia de Todas as Artes’ – or ‘Bahia of All Arts’.

There will be a number of activations on the day, including Capoeira Circles, which will see traditional Brazilian Martial Arts performers showcasing their talents and skills at the Blue Carpet and the external concourse of the Etihad.

At East Reception, fans will have the opportunity to taste the traditional acarajé, take part in quizzes with giveaways, learn about Bahia culture, enjoy photo opportunities, and receive fitinhas - wish ribbons – which are personalised with the City and Bahia crests. They will be given out to offer a meaningful and symbolic souvenir of the day.

For fans, it will be a real feast of colour and sound with plenty of photo opportunities.

Make sure you arrive at the stadium early so you don’t miss out on any of their activities.

Pep Guardiola is preparing his side for our first Premier League home game of the 2025/26 season on Saturday, when Tottenham Hotspur are the visitors to the Etihad Stadium in a 12:30 (UK) kick-off.

After a comprehensive victory over Wolves last weekend, Guardiola’s players will go into the game full of confidence.

How can I watch City v Spurs on TV?

An Erling Haaland brace plus strikes from debutants Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki made the difference that day and they’ll now be relishing turning out at our home ground.

Standing in our way are Thomas Frank’s new side, who defeated Burnley at home on the opening weekend.

To ensure we’re ready for the challenge, Guardiola put his side through their paces on another summer’s day in Manchester.