Manchester City got back to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. Going to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been something of a tricky assignment for Pep Guardiola’s team over the years, but a professional performance saw them over the line.
Results prior to Wednesday's fixture.
After two games out with injury, Erling Haaland was the man who scored the only goal of the game. It was a cute finish from the City number 9, who steered home a deflected cross from Jeremy Doku which was fired across goal. Haaland was involved in the build-up, too, linking up play before darting into the box.
It was not all plain sailing for City though, against a side that has been their bogey team in recent seasons. Lilywhites captain Son Heung-min was denied by Ederson, and Wilson Ododbert was inches away from tucking home a cross from Pedro Porro at the back post.
The Norweigan striker thought he had doubled his and City’s tally for the night in the second half. However, the goal was disallowed for a handball, and VAR did not overturn it. Nevertheless, the visitors held on to earn an important three points.
There were certainly some standout players for the Citizens on the night.
Man City’s best players vs. Spurs
One of the standout players in such an important win for the East Mancunians was Jeremy Doku. The Belgian winger, who was awarded the player of the match award, ran tirelessly at the Spurs defence all night, never giving them any respite.
Doku’s stats from the game, courtesy of Sofascore, were outstanding. The 22-year-old had 57 touches, completed an impressive five out of nine dribbles, and created two chances.
Off the ball, he worked hard, winning seven ground duels in what was a dominant display from the winger, which Haaland certainly profited off. It was, of course, Doku’s deflected cross which led to the goal.
Another player who impressed for City was young centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov. The Uzbekistan international had a rocky start to life at at the Etihad, but since the first five minutes of his debut against Chelsea, he has shown exactly why the Premier League champions signed him.
Goal journalist Sean Walsh gave the defender a 7/10 for his efforts, describing his performance as a ‘strong and stable showing’ against a dangerous attack that included Odobert from the start and Son off the bench.
As well as Doku and Khusanov played, there was one City star who struggled in North London.
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The Man City star who struggled vs. Spurs
On what was a good night for City, one player who arguably struggled was Matheus Nunes. Playing right back once again, it was, at times, a tough night at the office for the Portugal international, who was directly defending against Odobert.
Walsh gave the former Wolverhampton Wanderers star a 6/10 for his efforts, explaining that it seemed like Nunes ‘didn’t particularly enjoy his battles’ against the electric Odobert, who was operating down that left flank for Spurs.
However, it wasn’t all bad for Nunes. The midfielder-turned-right-back made a fantastic, goal-saving challenge on new Spurs attacker Mathys Tel in the second half, denying the Frenchman what seemed like it could be a certain goal.
With that being said, Nunes’ numbers from the game are somewhat underwhelming. Without the ball, his struggles were highlighted, winning just two out of seven ground duels and losing his only attempted tackle. He also lost the ball 11 times, although did create one chance.
Touches
66
Pass accuracy
88%
Passes completed
36/41
Number of times ball lost
11
Ground duels won
2/7
Tackles won
0/1
Chances created
1
City’s next assignment in the Premier League is a tough away trip to Nottingham Forest. Renowned for their tricky wingers like Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga, it could provide a tough assignment for Nunes.
There is no doubting his ability, but perhaps in a game where City will get hit on the counter and have wingers constantly driving at them, Guardiola will decide to rotate him out of the side, in favour of a more natural defender.
Of course, it remains to be seen which route they take when it comes to selection for a game ten days or so away. However, after Nunes struggled, perhaps it will be in Guardiola’s mind to select someone else at right back.
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