In another pulsating Carabao Cup quarter-final match at the Etihad Stadium on October 30, Tottenham Hotspur handed Manchester City their first season loss with a 2-1 win.
This victory secured Spurs a spot in the semi-finals, setting up an exciting showdown with Manchester United.
Lineups
Manchester City: Goalkeeper: Stefan Ortega, Defenders: Kyle Walker, Rúben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, João Cancelo, Midfielders: Matheus Nunes, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Forwards: Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Savinho.
Tottenham Hotspur: Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario, Defenders: Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Midfielders: Pape Sarr, Yves Bissouma, Dejan Kulusevski, Forwards: Timo Werner, Richarlison, Brennan Johnson.
How The Match Unfolded
Tottenham sprang into action early, with Timo Werner scoring in the fifth minute after connecting with a precise pass from Dejan Kulusevski. This was Werner’s first goal since March, setting the tone for Spurs. Tottenham continued to press forward despite a setback when Micky van de Ven was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury.
Manchester City struggled to find their rhythm, perhaps reflecting Pep Guardiola’s previous comments about not prioritizing the Carabao Cup. In the 25th minute, Pape Sarr doubled Tottenham’s lead with an impressive long-range strike.
City began to control possession as the half progressed, and their persistence paid off just before halftime. Savinho’s cross found Matheus Nunes at the far post, who calmly slotted the ball past the keeper to make it 2-1.
🤩 Timo strikes.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 31, 2024
🚀 Pape’s curler.
👊 Radu the rock.
Highlights: Spurs 2-1 Man City 📺 pic.twitter.com/G2UwSexMXf
The second half was marked by injuries, including Savinho being stretchered off. Despite Erling Haaland remaining on the bench, City pressed for an equalizer. Tottenham, however, continued to threaten on the counter-attack. Stefan Ortega made big saves to deny Brennan Johnson and Kulusevski.
Tottenham nearly secured the win when Richarlison was gifted an opportunity from a misplaced Josko Gvardiol throw, but his shot lacked power and went straight to Ortega. In a dramatic final moment, Yves Bissouma made a heroic block on Nico O’Reilly’s last-second shot, ensuring Tottenham’s victory.
Post Match Analysis
Tottenham’s victory proved their resilience and tactical discipline. Timo Werner’s early goal and Pape Sarr’s long-range strike were highlights of a well-executed game plan. The defensive unit, especially Yves Bissouma, played a important role in securing the win.
On the other hand, Manchester City seemed to lack their usual sharpness and depth, potentially due to squad rotation and injuries. The absence of key players like Erling Haaland was felt as City struggled to break down Tottenham’s defense.
What’s Next
With this victory, Tottenham advances to the Carabao Cup semi-finals, where they will face Manchester United. This match will be a serious test for the Spurs, who have been seeking their first major trophy since 2008.
Manchester City must regroup and refocus on their Premier League campaign and other competitions. In their next league fixture Pep Guardiola will be keen to ensure his team bounces back from this setback.
Tottenham’s next match in the Premier League is against Chelsea on Saturday November 2, while Manchester City will face Arsenal on the same day.
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