Spurs statement win at City built on strong foundations

Lads, it’s Thomas Frank’s Tottenham.

- By RICHARD JOLLYAT THE ETIHAD

A statement result for a new regime came at the ground that staged the most glorious triumph of Angeball. If Frank’s 2-0 win is statistically less impressive than Ange Postecoglou’s 4-0 evisceration of Manchester City last season, it came in a manner to suggest that this Tottenham Hotspur are built on sturdier foundations.

Yet if this season looks like a reaction to last term for Tottenham, the danger for City is that it is simply a continuation. Four summer signings started and six 2025 buys but, for Pep Guardiola, there may be a depressing familiarity to this. City conceded a goal to a counterattack and another because of a goalkeeping error. They were recurring themes last year. Guardiola tried six players in the three attacking midfield positions but without suggesting he knows his strongest side. Erling Haaland got too little service. City were emphatically beaten by the side who finished 17th last season.