Spurs’ precision and City’s errors: Johnson and Palhinha strike to silence the Etihad again

Tottenham Hotspur produced another statement win at the Etihad, beating Manchester City 2-0 to preserve Thomas Frank’s perfect Premier League start and briefly climb to the top of the table. Brennan Johnson finished a lightning counter that survived a VAR check, before João Palhinha punished a James Trafford error in first-half stoppage time. City, who began brightly and carved out several openings, lacked the ruthless edge Spurs carried in both boxes.

Guglielmo Vicario was outstanding early as Omar Marmoush twice tested him after a Pedro Porro error and an Erling Haaland surge. Yet the visitors’ precision press and incisive counters redefined the evening: one rapid break put Richarlison in behind a high line for Johnson’s opener, and a few chaotic minutes later Trafford’s pass out under pressure was seized upon, allowing Palhinha to drive home on his full debut. City’s second-half wave—galvanized by attacking substitutions—met resolute defending, with Micky van de Ven, Palhinha and Cristian Romero repeatedly shutting doors that usually swing open at the Etihad.

A plan executed: a precision press and the break that broke the game

City’s high line made for perilous margins. John Stones narrowly played Richarlison onside before the Brazilian rolled a low cross that Johnson met cleanly. The finish, hit hard and early, eluded Trafford. The flag initially went up but semi-automatic offside technology confirmed Richarlison had timed his run, and the goal stood.

The move encapsulated Frank’s blueprint. Down the right, Mohammed Kudus outfoxed Rúben Dias in the build-up, and Spurs sprang forward with conviction. City’s 60-40 share of the ball never translated into control of the decisive spaces; Spurs were quicker to recognise the triggers, and more clinical when the field opened.

Trafford’s trial by press on home debut

Before the decisive mistake, Trafford’s evening had already carried warning signs. An early hesitation with Rico Lewis offered Richarlison a sniff. A later collision on the edge of the box with Kudus could have been costlier, and a 23rd-minute injury to Rayan Aït-Nouri disrupted City’s back line and contributed to the seven minutes of first-half added time.

In that extended period, Spurs pressed high again. Trafford dawdled, then chose a risky pass that ended up with Pape Matar Sarr under pressure and, after a scramble involving Richarlison, fell for Palhinha to hammer in. With Ederson on the bench amid links to Galatasaray, Pep Guardiola’s choice was always going to be scrutinised. He defended it afterwards: “James made a good first game… The goalkeeper is a special position… with this amount of games everyone will play.”

City’s misses meet Spurs’ resolve

The home side had the chances to change the narrative. Marmoush drew multiple strong saves from Vicario, lit by a Haaland surge through traffic. Haaland himself should have halved the deficit but headed over from close range, while a Rayan Cherki corner struck the first defender during a scrappy spell that underlined City’s lack of rhythm.

Guardiola’s bench supplied weapons—Jérémy Doku and Bernardo Silva first, then Phil Foden and Rodri—but Spurs stayed organised. Van de Ven chopped the ball away as Doku picked out Foden, Bernardo’s header landed on the roof of the net, and Rodri met a corner only to find Vicario’s gloves. Laura Hunter’s analysis noted how Romero limited Haaland and how Palhinha, the standout, won more duels than any other player on the pitch.

Context, mood and what comes next

Spurs remain City’s bogey side—Guardiola has now suffered a joint-high 10 defeats to them—and this was another clinical lesson after last November’s 4-0 here. It is only the sixth time under Guardiola that City have trailed by two or more at half-time in a home league match, with Tottenham responsible for half of those. The visitors’ week had begun with disappointment in the Eberechi Eze pursuit but ended with poise and points, complete with chants of “we are top of the league.”

The atmosphere swung, too: travelling fans’ early “we want Levy out” gave way to “we love you Tottenham.” Guardiola lamented that City “miss the simple things,” insisting the “click” will come. What comes next is immediate: City travel to Brighton next Sunday, while Spurs host Bournemouth, and Guardiola must quickly decide whether to persist with Trafford or restore Ederson.