Manchester City, known for dominating domestic cups in recent years, faced an unexpected Carabao Cup exit as Tottenham Hotspur secured a 2-1 win in the fourth round. Pep Guardiola opted for a lineup mixing youth players with seasoned professionals, but this combination struggled to find the rhythm needed to overcome a resurgent Tottenham side.
The match started poorly for City, with Tottenham seizing the lead just six minutes in. A well-timed pass from Archie Gray put Brennan Johnson through, and his quick pass found Dejan Kulusevski, whose pinpoint cross was powered in by Timo Werner. City found themselves further behind midway through the first half when a cleverly executed corner routine led to a curling 25-yard strike from Pape Matar Sarr that slipped past Stefan Ortega.
City’s first real chance came late in the first half when Matheus Nunes raced past defenders and delivered a teasing ball into the box, narrowly missing Phil Foden. But just before halftime, Savinho created a lifeline, maneuvering past Destiny Udogie and setting up a lofted cross that Nunes converted at the far post. Tottenham continued to press after the break, and Dominic Solanke missed a clear chance to widen the lead, sending his effort just wide. Ortega later made a key save to deny Kulusevski, who had broken through City’s defense once again.
In a tense final 10 minutes, City nearly conceded again after a poor clearance from Josko Gvardiol went straight to Richarlison, who was unable to convert. City’s last gasp came during stoppage time when Guglielmo Vicario mishandled a corner, giving Nico O’Reilly a chance that was ultimately cleared off the line by Yves Bissouma, cementing Tottenham’s victory.
Player Ratings and Analysis
Goalkeeper & Defense
- Stefan Ortega (6/10): While Ortega might face criticism for allowing Sarr’s goal at the near post, he was partially unsighted, and the shot had enough power to make it a difficult save. He redeemed himself with several strong saves in the second half when Spurs were on the attack, but it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat.
- Rico Lewis (4/10): The young full-back faced a challenging evening, struggling to contain Timo Werner’s speed and sharp movement. Werner’s unsteady finishing kept Lewis from further scrutiny, but his inexperience was evident in his defensive positioning and decision-making.
- John Stones (5/10): Typically assured with the ball, Stones demonstrated his calmness when playing from the back under Tottenham’s pressure. However, he struggled to keep pace with Spurs’ high-tempo transitions and found himself frequently outmaneuvered by their quick attackers.
- Ruben Dias (6/10): Stepping in at the last minute due to Akanji’s withdrawal, Dias provided much-needed stability in the first half. His solid performance came to an abrupt end as he was replaced by Gvardiol at halftime, likely to rest him for upcoming league fixtures.
- Nathan Ake (5/10): Positioned high up the field in the lead-up to Tottenham’s first goal, Ake’s tactical positioning was questionable. He later moved to center-back to partner with Gvardiol in the second half, but his defensive contributions remained limited before he was eventually substituted.
Midfield
- Ilkay Gundogan (5/10): Usually a reliable presence in the midfield, Gundogan struggled to dictate the play from the deep position. His passing and defensive awareness were below par, leaving City exposed on numerous counter-attacks. Guardiola substituted him at halftime, bringing in Kovacic for added mobility.
- James McAtee (5/10): The youngster found himself drifting into the same channels as winger Matheus Nunes, leading to an overcrowded left side. Though McAtee showcased his footwork with some skillful touches, he was often dispossessed by Tottenham’s physical midfield.
- Nico O’Reilly (6/10): One of the few City players willing to take risks, O’Reilly tried to penetrate Spurs’ defensive lines with direct runs but often lacked support. His determination almost led to a late equalizer, but his shot was cleared off the line by Bissouma, preventing him from what could have been a standout moment.
Attack
- Savinho (7/10): Initially quiet, Savinho grew into the game, especially after City fell two goals behind. He challenged Udogie effectively, creating opportunities down the right side, but his promising performance was cut short when he was stretchered off due to an injury in the second half, adding to Guardiola’s concerns.
- Phil Foden (4/10): Foden’s struggles as a striker were clear as he failed to connect with his wingers and posed little threat to Tottenham’s defense. His inability to create meaningful chances saw him replaced by Bernardo Silva early in the second half.
- Matheus Nunes (7/10): Nunes capitalized on Gray’s lack of experience on Tottenham’s right side, repeatedly creating chances and managing to score City’s only goal. His persistence on the right flank provided City with some hope, and he continues to build momentum in Guardiola’s lineup.
