In a stunning Matchweek 12 showdown, Tottenham Hotspur delivered a statement win over Manchester City at the Etihad, running out 4-0 victors. Despite City dominating possession and piling up shots, it was Spurs’ clinical finishing and resolute defending that stole the headlines. James Maddison pulled the strings in midfield, while Tottenham’s defensive wall stood firm against waves of City pressure.
Key Stats Breakdown
Possession: Manchester City controlled the ball with 61% of possession, compared to Spurs’ 39%, underlining Pep Guardiola’s team’s familiar dominance.
Shots: City fired 22 shots but failed to find the back of the net, while Tottenham maximized their chances, converting 4 of their 9 attempts into goals.
xG: Manchester City’s xG (expected goals) stood at 2.27, emphasizing their wastefulness, while Spurs outperformed their xG of 1.92 to secure a clinical win.
Match Momentum
The momentum graph paints a vivid picture of City’s dominance in the first half, with consistent attacks leading to multiple opportunities. However, Spurs’ quick counters—led by Maddison and supported by Solanke and Son—proved lethal. Notably, Tottenham’s second-half spikes in momentum correlated with Pedro Porro’s goal and Brennan Johnson’s late strike to seal the victory.
Shot Analysis
Manchester City: Despite their relentless attacks, City’s shot map reveals inefficiency. Only 5 of their 22 shots hit the target, with several blocked or sent wide. Their inability to convert high xG chances, including a 0.28 xG attempt from Haaland, summed up their frustrating afternoon.
Tottenham Hotspur: In stark contrast, Spurs’ shot map shows incredible efficiency. Maddison opened the scoring with a well-placed shot (xG 0.34), while Brennan Johnson’s late goal from close range (xG 0.71) highlighted their ruthless finishing.
Possession Tactics
Manchester City: City’s pass map underscores their methodical buildup, with Ilkay Gündo?an and Rico Lewis pivotal in connecting the midfield to their attackers. However, their over-reliance on central zones made them predictable, with Tottenham effectively blocking key passing lanes to Haaland.
Tottenham Hotspur: Tottenham’s pass map reveals a balanced approach, with Maddison as the creative fulcrum. The wide play of Pedro Porro and Udogie stretched City’s backline, enabling Son and Solanke to exploit spaces in transition.
While the numbers suggest City should have fared better, this game highlighted the importance of efficiency and defensive organization. Tottenham’s ability to absorb pressure and punish on the break earned them a memorable result, solidifying their credentials as serious contenders. For Guardiola, this was a lesson in turning possession into tangible results.