Not taking their chances proved costly for Manchester City against Tottenham | OneFootball

Manchester City suffered a disappointing 2-nil defeat to Tottenham yesterday. First-half goals from Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha were enough for Thomas Frank’s side to pick up all three points at the Etihad Stadium. Although Pep Guardiola’s side weren’t at their best throughout yesterday’s match, they had chances to take the lead in the first half. But they squandered their chances, which proved costly come the final whistle.

Manchester City had their chances in the first half of yesterday’s match.

Tottenham thoroughly deserved their victory at the Etihad Stadium yesterday. There is no doubt about that. Thomas Frank’s side was strong at the back and pressed Pep Guardiola’s side well in their own half throughout the match. They also had more quality throughout the game, and in the second half, it always appeared that it was more likely to become 3-nil to Spurs rather than 2-1. But despite how toothless Manchester City were in the second half, they did have their chances to take the lead in the first half. Unfortunately, they squandered those chances.

Omar Marmoush had three chances to give Manchester City the lead yesterday. His first chance came after a poor defensive header from Pedro Porro in the 8th minute. Marmoush seized upon the loose header and beat Vicario with a clever finish. But his shot squirmed past the Spurs’ keeper and rolled across the face of goal. That was Marmoush’s first chance. Truth be told, Marmoush did well to get that chance so close to scoring.

The Egyptian international would see a stinging drive from outside the box well-saved by Vicario 10 minutes later. Vicario deserves credit for that particular save. In the 28th minute, Marmoush was once again denied by Vicario when clean through on goal. A driving run from Erling Haaland and a clever through ball from the Norwegian international played in Marmoush. But he was denied by Vicario once again. That moment would prove to be crucial. Tottenham would take the lead in the 35th minute through Brennan Johnson. They’d double it in the second minute of first-half stoppage time through Joao Palhinha after an error in possession from James Trafford. But the game could have been so different if Manchester City had taken their chances.

Pep Guardiola’s side cannot afford to miss chances like yesterday.

Yesterday’s match could have been so different had Manchester City taken their early chances. But it wasn’t to be. Looking ahead, Pep Guardiola’s side cannot afford to squander good chances, especially in big games. It cost them yesterday and was an issue at times last season. It happened again yesterday, and it’s on the City players to rectify this issue.

Vicario deserves credit for his saves yesterday. He made several good saves in the first half. But after falling 2-nil down, Erling Haaland missed a good opportunity from a header on the stroke of halftime. He also failed to find Rayan Cherki for a tap in with a simple pass in the 52nd minute as Manchester City fought to get back into the game. Like Omar Marmoush’s big chance in 28th minute both of those chances had to be taken. But they weren’t and it cost Manchester City yesterday. It is an area of City’s play that needs to improve as it has cost them before and did yesterday.