Match Report and Player Ratings: Tottenham 2-1 Manchester City (Carabao Cup Fourth Round) | OneFootball

Manchester City suffered an early exit from the latest edition of the Carabao Cup after a 2-1 defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday night.

A well-worked goal finished off by Matheus Nunes was not enough to overturn a 2-0 deficit as the eight-time winners of the League Cup bowed out in the fourth round, on a night when 18-year-old Jahmai Simpson-Pusey made his first-team debut in the second-half.

Pep Guardiola’s side got off to a poor start as Timo Werner scored the opener as the clock hit the fifth minute. The attack that started with Spurs’ goalkeeper was finished by the German, who had a similar chance 10 minutes after a loose pass from Ilkay Gundogan.

Things went from bad to worse for the Premier League champions with Tottenham doubling their lead through Pape Sarr. A short corner was played back to the midfielder, who curled the ball past Stefan Ortega Moreno and into the bottom corner.

Manchester City went on to dominate possession in the opening half-hour but failed to register a shot towards Vicario’s goal, proving how difficult it had been to break through the resolute Spurs defence.

The visitors’ first real chances came at the end of the half with a dangerous pass across the box from Matheus Nunes and a wild volley attempt from Phil Foden that should have troubled Vicario but sailed over the crossbar.

Minutes before the half-time whistle, City found a goal through the in-form Matheus Nunes. Savinho beat his man with ease on the right-hand side before picking out the Portuguese international in open space to hit the back of the net from the far post.

The two wide players were easily Manchester City’s best players in the first half and they always looked a threat whenever they picked up the ball.

Similar to the first half, Werner found himself through on goal but fortunately for the visitors, his effort went narrowly wide before Ortega Moreno had to pull off a strong save to deny Dejan Kulusevski shortly after.

City had a lot of the ball in the second half and created some half chances but nothing too threatening towards the Tottenham goalkeeper. Guardiola’s side had lacked a real cutting edge tonight, especially after Savinho was stretchered off midway through the second half.

Substitute Josko Gvardiol breathed a sigh of relief after Richarlison failed to convert his one-on-one by shooting straight at Ortega Moreno. The Croatian’s loose throw-in fell to the Spurs forward who should have tucked away the golden opportunity.

19-year-old Nico O’Reilly thought he had found a late equaliser for City but was denied by the outstretched leg of Yves Bissouma on the goal line. The Cityzens were banging at the Spurs door, but the hosts were hanging onto the one-goal lead.

Manchester City will now be looking back to their Premier League title defence as they head to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth on Saturday 2nd November in the second of four consecutive away matches.

Before then, here is how we rated every single player to feature for Manchester City against Tottenham in North London on Wednesday night!

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Stefan Ortega Moreno – 5

Will be annoyed to have conceded at his near post for the second goal. Confident on the ball when pressured. Made a good save in the second half.

Rico Lewis – 6

Struggled in the first-half but started to dictate the game in the second.

John Stones – 6

Been good defensively at right-back and always looked forward when on the ball.

Ruben Dias (C) – 4.5

Really struggled in the first half before getting taken off and was partly to blame for the first goal.

Nathan Ake – 6

Caught out of position for the first goal but was otherwise okay.

Nico O’Reilly – 6

Played a role in Manchester City’s opener and had an eye for finding pockets of space. So close to finding the equaliser late on.

Ilkay Gundogan – 4.5

Not his best game in a Manchester City shirt and came off at half-time with Ruben Dias.

Matheus Nunes – 7.5 (MOTM)

Always looked like a threat when on the ball and took his chance well. One of the standout players from today.

https://twitter.com/City_Xtra/status/1851751119447560656

James McAtee – 6

Looked to operate in the half-spaces but struggled with the compact Spurs defence. Had a lot more influence when moved into the false nine position.

Savinho – 7.5

Dangerous on the right wing and was pivotal to Manchester City’s first goal. Very unfortunate to have picked up an injury.

Phil Foden – 5.5

Did not have fun today as the false-nine and failed to create any real chances before being taken off.

Substitutes

Mateo Kovacic – 6

Added a bit more dynamism to the midfield but nothing really changed attacking-wise.

Josko Gvardiol – 6

Played his role defensively but Spurs were still a threat on the counter.

Bernardo Silva – 6.5

Added real confidence and elegance to help create chances in the final third.

Jacob Wright – 6

Gave his all when he came on and had a shot go narrowly wide of the post.

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey – 6

His presence allowed Josko Gvardiol to venture forward and was trusted to defend in a two when he came on for his debut. Had the confidence to play forward through the Spurs lines.