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Dane Scarlett continues his impressive run of form, with the Tottenham striker finding the back of the net again with an impressive strike for Oxford United against Sheffield Wednesday.

Dane Scarlett is now fulfilling his potential

There would have been some concerns at Spurs regarding Scarlett‘s development following the striker’s struggles in his last two loan spells in QPR and Ipswich Town.

His spell at Oxford was thus pretty much make or break for the 20-year-old and alarm bells might have started ringing after his slow start to his time at the Kassam Stadium.

However, over the last couple of months, the Tottenham man has stepped up for the Championship side, establishing himself in the starting eleven and finding the back of the net several times.

Dane Scarlett’s goalscoring run continues

The centre-forward has also impressed in international youth football this season, scoring for England’s Elite League Squad as they overcame Romania 2-0 in Stockport back in September, before netting his second goal for England’s Under-21s in the recent international break.

The Spurs academy graduate kept his goalscoring run going, netting his fourth goal of the season for Oxford yesterday with an impressive striker across the goalkeeper from inside the box.

Watch Scarlett’s latest goal below:

Dane Scarlett growing in confidence away from Tottenham

The goal was a mere consolation for Oxford, who were drubbed 6-2 at home by Wednesday, but the strike will do wonders for Scarlett’s confidence, with the youngster now knowing that he can find the back of the net with regularity at the Championship level.

Spurs fans will love what Pep Guardiola said after watching Tottenham Hotspur demolish his Man City side at the Etihad Stadium.

Tottenham defy predictions once again vs Man City

Tottenham have made it a habit of defying expectations this season, both in a positive and a negative sense, and they did that once more on Saturday.

Hardly a single Spurs fan would have been confident ahead of the game of the Lilywhites’ chances of getting a result, given that they had just lost to Ipswich Town at home ahead of the international break and were going into the game without their two starting centre-backs.

However, Ange Postecoglou‘s men turned it on in Manchester and reminded everyone how good they can be when they are at their best, destroying Man City 4-0.

Pep Guardiola reacts to heavy loss against Spurs

Going into the game, there was a lot of talk of the pressure on Postecoglou, but it was his opposite number who was left reeling after the result, with Tottenham consigning City to their fifth straight loss.

Guardiola was gracious after the game and congratulated Spurs, admitting that his side are fragile at the moment.

The City boss said (via Football.London): “When you lose 4-0 there is nothing to say but to congratulate Tottenham. We struggled a bit to get the ball back. We created quite a lot in front of the keeper but we are a bit fragile at the moment.”

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Ange Postecoglou’s approach vindicated

Most managers would have tried to defend with ten men behind the ball at the Etihad if they were missing key players.

However, Postecoglou stuck to his guns and Tottenham were rewarded handsomely, with defence proving the best form of attack for the away side.

In a stunning turn of events, Pep Guardiola and Manchester City were handed a 4-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad, making it the most defeats Pep has suffered against any team in his managerial career.

Pep Guardiola and his decorated reign at Manchester City

When Guardiola arrived at Manchester City in 2016, the Premier League witnessed a new era of dominance.

The Spaniard has won six Premier League titles, completed a historic treble, and even achieved a domestic quadruple—a testament to his tactical brilliance and relentless pursuit of perfection.

His City side holds the record for the most consecutive league titles won, a feat that underlines their consistency and excellence.

Despite these achievements, the Man City boss’s journey has not been without its challenges. One recurring difficulty has been his encounters with Tottenham Hotspur.

Across competitions—whether in the Premier League, the Champions League, or domestic cup ties—Spurs have consistently caused headaches for the Spaniard, puncturing his otherwise impeccable record.

This weekend’s clash at the Etihad was set against the backdrop of City’s recent struggles. Pep’s side had suffered four straight defeats and had fallen five points off the top of the table.

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A victory against Spurs was crucial not just to halt their slump but also to preserve their unbeaten home record, which stretched back over two years. On the other hand, the Lilywhites arrived at the Etihad battling their own inconsistency but were determined to seize the opportunity.

Tottenham hand Pep Guardiola another bitter pill

In a stunning turn of events, Tottenham dismantled Manchester City with a clinical 4-0 win, extending City’s woes and cementing Spurs’ place as Guardiola’s kryptonite.

The result marked Pep’s ninth loss to Tottenham, the most he has suffered against any club during his managerial career.

As revealed by transfermarkt, Pep’s record against Spurs now stands at 22 matches played, with 10 wins, 3 draws, and 9 losses, giving him an average points-per-match of just 1.50—well below his usual standards.

This latest defeat reinforces a remarkable trend: regardless of form or circumstance, Spurs consistently manage to outwit Guardiola’s teams.

Spurs resurgence and the battle for the top four

This victory could prove to be pivotal for Tottenham, who have now climbed to sixth in the league table. With 19 points, they are just four points behind Manchester City in second and only three adrift of Arsenal and Chelsea, who occupy third and fourth place respectively.

For Spurs, the win not only boosts their confidence but also places them firmly in the race for Champions League qualification. Ange Postecoglou has faced his share of challenges this season, particularly in terms of finding consistency and battling injuries, yet results like this highlight the potential of his project.

Pep, meanwhile, will need to reassess as City’s title defence looks increasingly shaky. While they remain within striking distance of the top, their recent form is a stark contrast to the dominance they exhibited last season.

For Spurs, however, this latest triumph serves as a reminder of their capability to compete with and defeat the very best, reigniting hopes of a strong finish to the campaign.

Jamie Redknapp believes one Spurs player’s importance has been underestimated for too long – and his latest performance against Man City proves why.

Spurs defensive reshuffle at the Etihad

Tottenham’s trip to the Etihad was always going to be a challenging test, but the absence of their first-choice central defenders, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, made the task even more daunting.

Romero and van de Ven’s injury meant that Ange Postecoglou had to rely on Ben Davies and Radu Dragusin against one of the most potent attacking forces in the Premier League.

For many Spurs fans, the thought of facing Manchester City with a makeshift backline was cause for concern, especially with Erling Haaland leading the line.

Haaland’s physicality and eye for goal have terrorised defences across Europe, and this pairing was expected to struggle under relentless pressure.

Yet, against all odds, Tottenham’s defence delivered a disciplined and composed performance, keeping City’s attack at bay and securing a hard-fought clean sheet after a resounding 4-0 win at the Etihad.

Jamie Redknapp sings praises of Ben Davies

Jamie Redknapp was quick to commend Ben Davies for his role in Tottenham’s defensive success. Speaking to Sky Sports, Redknapp highlighted the Welshman’s versatility and calmness under pressure in such a crucial fixture.

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He said: “I think Ben Davies deserves a very special mention because I think him coming in and I’ve seen that he’s come on in a couple of games over Romero or when van de Ven has been injured and I thought he was very assured

“He’s one of those sort of players that doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He can fill it up right-back, left-back. To go in at centre-back against one of the most ferocious centre-forwards in world football, he handled it perfectly.”

Davies’ ability to adapt across multiple defensive roles has often gone under the radar, but his display against Manchester City was a timely reminder of his reliability.

Partnering Dragusin, who is still finding his feet in the Premier League, Davies offered stability and leadership, ensuring Tottenham remained organised against waves of City attacks.

A confidence boost for Spurs, Ben Davies, and Dragusin

For Tottenham, keeping a clean sheet against Manchester City is not just a testament to the defenders’ individual performances but also a significant psychological boost.

Such a result, especially under difficult circumstances, will instil confidence in the team as they continue to navigate a demanding fixture list.

Both Davies and Dragusin have much to gain from this performance. The former proved once again why he is often referred to as “Mr Reliable”, while Dragusin demonstrated he can step up when called upon.

With injuries and suspensions inevitable during a long season, their contributions may prove invaluable as Spurs compete on multiple fronts.

Malachi Hardy made an appearance on the Spurs bench against Manchester City, but who is the Tottenham Hotspur youngster?

Malachi Hardy player profile

Malachi Hardy is one of many talented youngsters currently in Tottenham’s academy ranks. Born about 20 miles from White Hart Lane, in Watford, he has been at the club since he was eight years old.

And being born less than a month after Tottenham’s 2008 League Cup win, the last competitive trophy the club lifted, Hardy is just 16 years old. Had he come off the bench against Manchester City, he would have become the youngest player to represent Spurs, a record currently held by Mikey Moore, when he replaced James Maddison earlier this year against City.

Although Hardy played in midfield as a child, the 6ft 2in player has now established himself as a centre-back. According to Yahoo Sports, Hardy possesses an impressive recovery pace and is confident on the ball, while his greatest strength is defending one-on-one situations.

Malachi Hardy’s Spurs appearances

The fact Hardy now plays as a central defender is a key reason he made the trip to Manchester. With both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven injured, Spurs have a shortage at the back, allowing the young defender the chance to train and travel with the first team which will live long in his memory.

Hardy’s inclusion in Tottenham’s matchday squad may still come as a bit of a surprise though, as he has only appeared for the club at under-18 level. But Tottenham are currently third in the under-18s Premier League South, and Hardy has been an important player for them, starting all but two of their matches.

Hardy has captained the England under-17s team in two recent fixtures against Malta and Sweden in European Championship qualifying, showing that he has potential not only as a player, but as a leader.

Malachi Hardy is still years away from Spurs first team

Hardy is clearly a talented player who has done well enough at youth level to deserve a chance in the first-team squad. However, with other defenders further ahead in their careers, such as Ashley Phillips, who is currently on loan at Stoke City, and Luka Vuskovic, who will join Spurs in the summer, Hardy will have to be patient.

But if Spurs continue to experience injuries in their centre-back position, Hardy may be seen again on the team sheet at some point during the season.

Brennan Johnson’s admiration for Tottenham teammate Heung-min Son goes beyond the usual; the Welsh winger has revealed exactly what leaves him in awe of the South Korean star, and it’s something that makes Son one of the most unique players in world football.

Tottenham’s talisman and a growing reputation

Tottenham Hotspur have had their ups and downs in recent seasons, but one constant in their journey has been the brilliance of Heung-min Son.

Known for his relentless work ethic, clinical finishing, and blistering pace, the South Korean has cemented his place as one of the Premier League’s top players, even amidst Tottenham’s fluctuating fortunes.

A member of the Premier League’s exclusive 100-goal club, Son has achieved feats that most players can only dream of, including sharing the Golden Boot in the 2021/22 season. For a player who initially arrived in England with questions about his ability to adapt, his accomplishments speak volumes about his quality and determination.

Recently, Brennan Johnson, one of Spurs’ new arrivals, shared his admiration for Son in an interview with the BBC.

Brennan Johnson shows his admiration of Heung-min Son

When asked about his idols in football, Johnson offered a fascinating insight into his admiration for Son, stating that even before joining Tottenham, he had been a fan of the South Korean’s playing style. Speaking to the BBC, Johnson said: “Who are your idols would you say?

“I used to play in midfield, so I’d watch old videos of Kaka and Zidane, those players. Before I came to Spurs I used to watch Sonny.

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“Whenever Tottenham played I watched him. Even now I find it amazing how two-footed he is and watching that first-hand is amazing.

“I think he probably knows, the way I ask him questions and reach out to him. I think he understands that I respect him highly as a player.”

Heung-min Son is a complete footballer

Brennan Johnson’s amazement at Son’s two-footedness is entirely justified. Statistically, Son is one of the most ambipedal players in world football, as his goal-scoring record demonstrates.

Son has scored 123 Premier League goals, with 71 coming from his dominant right foot and an impressive 48 with his left, underscoring his ability to strike with either foot. While his preference for his right foot is clear – given he takes penalties and free-kicks with it – his left is far from just a supporting act.

Playing on the left wing, Son often cuts inside onto his right foot, but he’s equally capable of staying on his left to deliver pinpoint strikes or crosses. His ability to switch feet fluidly makes him a nightmare for defenders, who can never predict which way he will go.

For Johnson, witnessing such versatility up close must be both inspiring and instructional. As a player still developing his game, having someone like Son to learn from is undoubtedly an asset.

Watching Son’s clinical two-footedness in action will undoubtedly push Johnson to refine his skills further – a win-win for Tottenham as they look to nurture young talent while leaning on their established stars.

A 4-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium was not a result many Tottenham Hotspur fans or pundits saw coming, but Ange Postecoglou has underlined just how significant this moment could be for his team’s progress.

The context behind the Spurs stunning 4-0 win against City

Heading into the clash against Manchester City, few Tottenham fans could have envisioned a 4-0 triumph over the reigning Premier League champions. Facing a side of City’s calibre, particularly at the Etihad Stadium, where they had not lost a league match in over two years, felt like an insurmountable task.

Spurs themselves were hardly in scintillating form, entering the match sitting 10th in the Premier League table after a string of inconsistent results.

Their record of five wins, five losses, and a draw from 11 games left little hope among fans, especially after a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Ipswich Town in their previous outing.

The inconsistency on display was a stark contrast to the resilience City was known for, even as Pep Guardiola’s men were reeling from a surprising four-match losing streak in all competitions.

With City keen to rebound from their poor run and Spurs struggling for rhythm, it seemed inevitable that the match would go one way. Even pundits had written Spurs off, expecting the hosts to punish a faltering Tottenham side.

But what unfolded on Saturday evening defied all expectations and has left Postecoglou’s men with much to build upon.

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Ange Postecoglou on Spurs’ emphatic victory

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game (19:50 – 23/11/24) Ange Postecoglou did not shy away from highlighting the significance of Spurs’ performance against a team of City’s pedigree. The Australian manager praised his players for their resolve and the style of football they delivered under challenging circumstances.

He said: “It’s significant when you understand the context of who we were playing. I’m proud of the lads, the football we played, the resilience and discipline we showed. When you play City they test every aspect of your game and we handled that well.

“It was an important game for us, the way the boys reacted [to defeat to Ipswich]. It’s easy when you’re under pressure to splinter off but I never got the sense that would happen this week.

“The disappointing thing over the last few games is we’ve fallen well short of the kind of team we want to be. But I’ve no doubt we are on the right track.”

Spurs need consistency to turn moments into momentum

While the performance against Manchester City was nothing short of remarkable, it only adds to the enigma surrounding this Tottenham side.

This is a team capable of blowing away top sides with dominant victories, having already beaten Aston Villa 4-1 and Manchester United 3-0 earlier in the season. However, these flashes of brilliance have often been interspersed with underwhelming results against teams they should be beating comfortably.

Consistency has been Tottenham’s Achilles’ heel so far, with the defeat to Ipswich and similar results exposing their tendency to stumble in more routine fixtures.

If Spurs are to build on this statement win at the Etihad, Postecoglou must instil the same discipline and belief in his players for every game, not just against high-profile opponents.

Tottenham Hotspur delivered a jaw-dropping performance at the Etihad in the Premier League this evening, embarrassing Man City 4-0 in their own backyard.

James Maddison was the life of the party on his 28th birthday, scoring twice in the first half before Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson joined the fun.

This win takes Spurs up to sixth in the Premier League and leaves City with their fifth consecutive defeat. Pep Guardiola’s side is now in full-blown crisis mode, with their title defence looking shakier than ever.

First Half: James Maddison makes Man City miserable

It took just 13 minutes for James Maddison to steal the show. Dejan Kulusevski, turning Josko Gvardiol inside out, whipped in a delightful cross for Maddison to volley home. Against the run of play, Spurs were ahead, and the Etihad fell eerily silent. Just seven minutes later, Maddison was at it again.

City’s loose play at the back was punished as Son Heung-min intercepted and delivered a perfectly timed pass to Maddison, who surged into the box. With ice in his veins, he dinked the ball delicately over Ederson. The Maddison-Son duo was in full flow, their telepathic link-up leaving City’s defence scrambling.

Man City had their chances, with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both going close, but the Tottenham defence—led by the unlikely duo of Ben Davies and Radu Dragusin—held firm. At the break, the champions were staring at a two-goal deficit, and Pep’s face said it all.

Second Half: Porro and Johnson seal the humiliation

If Man City fans were hoping for a second-half revival, Tottenham and Pedro Porro crushed their dreams in the 52nd minute. Dominic Solanke, unselfish and sharp, cut the ball back to Porro, who rifled a thunderous shot past Ederson. Scoring against his former club, Porro didn’t hold back in his celebrations, adding insult to injury for the beleaguered hosts.

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The cherry on top came in stoppage time. Timo Werner, sprinting like a man possessed, left Kyle Walker in his dust and delivered a low cross for Brennan Johnson to tap in. The fourth goal was the final nail in City’s coffin, and by then, Etihad’s seats were emptier than Spurs’ trophy cabinet used to be.

Takeaways: Tottenham hit new heights against Man City

Maddison’s Masterclass: Two goals on his birthday, a brace against the champions, and an Etihad silenced—Maddison was unplayable. It was his first double in a Spurs shirt, and what a time to deliver it.

Defensive Heroes: Guglielmo Vicario was unbeatable between the posts, making five crucial saves. Ben Davies, or “Mr. Reliable,” stepped up in his first league start this season, keeping Haaland quiet and launching the move for Spurs’ opener. Partnered with Radu Drăgușin, they delivered an unexpected but much-needed clean sheet.

Kulusevski’s Creativity: With the most chances created in the league, Kulu was at it again, pulling the strings and tormenting City’s defence. His assist for Maddison’s opener was pure genius.

Final whistle verdict

This was a performance to remember for Spurs fans and a nightmare for City supporters. Ange Postecoglou’s tactics were spot on—soaking up pressure, countering with venom, and pouncing on every City error. Vicario’s five crucial saves ensured a clean sheet, and the team’s sharpness on the break was lethal.

For City, questions will be asked. Guardiola’s men lacked energy, focus, and discipline, and their defensive lapses were ruthlessly punished. This was a humbling defeat, and with Liverpool up next, things could get even worse for the champions.

Stat attack

Tottenham fans, soak it in—this was Angeball at its finest. Time to celebrate, and maybe wish Maddison a happy birthday again!

Tottenham Hotspur put four goals past Man City at the Etihad without reply to send them surging back up the Premier League table this evening. Let’s take a look at the five things we learned from the match.

James Maddison – The Tottenham birthday boy vs Man City

Out of the team for weeks, many expected James Maddison to take a seat on the bench once again this evening against Man City, but that was not the case. On his 28th birthday, it was Maddison who handed the Tottenham fans a present with a first-half brace at the Etihad.

More than that, the Tottenham midfielder managed to raise the standards of his off-ball game, showing more physicality than the likes of Man City trio Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, and Phil Foden for more than 80 minutes on the pitch. You suspect that the latter will convince Postecoglou to put him back into the starting XI even more than his two goals. Let us not forget that Maddison was not dropped for putting in poor performances, he was rotated out to make room for the pressing of Pape Sarr.

Dejan Kulusevski vs Man City – That’s why we call it the Dekihad

What is it about this man and the Etihad? Well, to be fair to him, Deki has been putting in this level of performance for the vast majority of the season. No goals for the Swede this evening, but he assisted Tottenham’s opener out of nowhere and masterminded the third with a mesmerising run and cross to the back post.

Forget the score, forget the goals, the exciting thing is how consistently world-class Kulusevski is becoming in all areas of the pitch. Tottenham have such a special player on their hands here.

Ben Davies, take a bow

Plenty of players will get credit for the 4-0 victory, but Ben Davies should be up there with the best of them. Most Spurs fans expected Davies and Dragusin to struggle to replicate the performance levels of Van de Ven and Romero, but if anything, they elevated them this evening. Davies in particular was immense at the back, up against the far taller and stronger Erling Haaland.

Not only did he win his aerial duels, ground duels, and block shots/crosses for fun, but his work on the ball was nothing short of world-class. Some of those dragged passes into the pockets for Son and Maddison, as well as the clips into Solanke’s chest, need to be analysed and mimicked by Van de Ven once he is back.

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Tottenham three points off third in the Premier League

Somehow, despite those defeats to Brighton, Crystal Palace, and Ipswich Town, Tottenham are still just three points off third in the Premier League table – and four points off second! That brings us to our next point though…

The endless frustration of Tottenham Hotspur

I know that any team in the league can look back at results and say ‘what if we’d won that one’ and ‘what if we’d avoided defeat there’, but let’s do it anyway. 2-0 up at half-time against Brighton, then handing both Palace and Ipswich their first wins of the season – those kinds of results are extreme and inexcusable drop-offs.

Tottenham Hotspur bounced back from their defeat to Ipswich Town in true Spurs fashion this evening – with a 4-0 win over reigning champions Man City.

Let’s take a look at how the individual players got on as Spurs move up to just three points behind third in the Premier League table:

Spurs player ratings vs Man City

Guglielmo Vicario – 9 – Made so many important saves this evening, and looked more confident claiming balls off his line too. We all know how Man City can get ahead of steam if you let them get on goal back, and Vicario made sure that didn’t happen.

Pedro Porro – 8.5 – He started the game a little shakily as Man City got in behind for fun down his right side. After the 15th minute, he was as solid as we have seen him. A well-earned clean sheet and he took his goal expertly, sweeping it into the far corner to seal a comfortable Tottenham win.

Radu Dragusin – 8 – A couple of nervy moments in possession – but at least he chose to just kick the ball into touch rather than give it away. Apart from that, he was a brick wall this evening up against the likes of Erling Haaland. Give him a physical battle and he will impress all day long.

Ben Davies – 8.5 – Wow. Mr Dependable lives up to his name once again. Not only did he rise to the challenge up against the bigger and stronger Haaland, but he was also one of Tottenham’s best players on the ball. Some of those inverted passes into Son and Solanke were world-class.

Destiny Udogie – 8 – A little more reserved this evening and Spurs were all the better for it. Udogie held his position on the left when Spurs broke forward and that allowed him to remain so much more defensively secure. So much quality on the ball tonight too, he barely gave it away.

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Yves Bissouma – 8 – A yellow card 17 seconds into the match made you wonder whether it would be one of those games for Bissouma. After that, he dictated the pace beautifully for Spurs from start to finish. You cannot ask for more on and off the ball.

Pape Sarr – 8.5 – You can see why Pape Sarr is undroppable at the moment. His pressing and energy sets the tone for Tottenham and Sarr so often drags his team up the pitch. Today was no different, as so many chances came from a Sarr turnover or press.

James Maddison – 9.5 – Happy birthday, James Maddison. Plenty of fans were shocked to see him back in the starting XI, and even more shocked when he netted a first-half brace. This was the performance he needed. I think Ange will be even more impressed by his physical work off the ball than his quality on it.

Dejan Kulusevski – 9.5 – Google, why do they call it the Dekihad? Kulusevski was at it again this evening, absolutely running the show from start to finish. He assisted Maddison’s opener with a dream of a cross, and created Tottenham’s third with a mesmerising run and cross to the back post. One of the best players in the Premier League this season, and that is not an overstatement.

Dominic Solanke – 8 – One of those performances that will likely go unnoticed, but Solanke held the ball up for fun, brought others into play, pressed relentlessly for 90 minutes, laid on an assist for Porro, and more. Such a perfect Ange Postecoglou striker.

Heung-Min Son – 8.5 – Looked back to his dangerous best this evening, but you would expect nothing less against Man City. Laid on an assist for Maddison’s second and almost scored a wonder goal of his own with a right-footed curler. I’m sure he was gutted to come off after the hour mark.

Substitutes:

Brennan Johnson – 7.5 – Came off the bench to tap home Tottenham’s fourth. A trademark Brennan Johnson back post run.

Lucas Bergvall – N/A