Tottenham player ratings vs Man City: Joao Palhinha a monster as Mohammed Kudus proves crucial | OneFootball

Another huge win at the Etihad Stadium sends Spurs top of the league

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Tottenham moved to the top of the Premier League table for at least a few hours with a brilliant 2-0 win over Manchester City.

Thomas Frank enjoyed the best day of his reign so far, as Brennan Johnson’s opener was awarded after a VAR review and Joao Palhinha then hammered in after City made a complete mess of playing out in their own box.

Spurs held a 2-0 lead in the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain and let it slip, but there was no repeat here and they secured the three points in relatively comfortable fashion.

Here’s how we rated the Spurs players at the Etihad...

Guglielmo Vicario 7

Great save to keep Omar Marmoush’s effort out in first half. Sloppy pass nearly gifted City a goal after the break but otherwise a solid display in goal.

Pedro Porro 7

Poor header back allowed Marmoush in early on. Went to ground too easily when beaten by Jeremy Doku and could have given away a penalty. Little opportunity to get forward and booked for time-wasting.

Cristian Romero 8

Regularly left one-on-one with Haaland and won that battle. Largely disciplined display, but allowed himself one crunching challenge on Nico Gonzalez. Harshly booked for flying in on Oscar Bobb.

Micky van de Ven 8

Unusual role in that he was tasked with pressing right up the pitch. Just eats up the ground and didn’t put a foot wrong in defence. Sensational block to deny Foden.

Djed Spence 8

Feels like a banker of a solid performance every week. Some tough moments early against Bobb but otherwise in control, and a couple of dangerous drives forward.

Joao Palhinha 9

Absolute monster in midfield. Constantly broke up play, relentless energy and lashed home for his first Spurs goal. Celebrated a second-half block with more enthusiasm than that finish.

Rodrigo Bentancur 8

Forming a superb partnership with Palhinha. Nothing flashy but composed on the ball and ran tirelessly off it.

Mohammed Kudus 8

Gave City nightmares from long balls, with his pace and strength a constant threat. Feels almost impossible to get the ball off him and that’s so crucial in matches like this.

Pape Matar Sarr 8

Great flick on for opening goal and his pressing brought about the second. Continues to do a superb job in making up for Spurs’ lack of No10.

Brennan Johnson 7

Ruthless when it mattered to sweep home the opening goal. Otherwise not hugely effective, whether it be down to a heavy touch or poor decision-making.

Richarlison 8

A nuisance in the best possible way - No9 shirt is his. Worked so hard to force the City mistakes. Great ball for Johnson’s goal and unfortunate as two looping second-half headers just missed.

Substitutes:

Dominic Solanke (Richarlison 77’) 6

Faces a real battle to get back in the starting lineup. Job was limited to running hard and tracking back after coming on. Forced Trafford into a late save.

Wilson Odobert (Johnson 77’) 7

Eye-catching cameo, with one impressive driving run shortly after coming on. Fired just wide when picked out on the edge of the box.

Lucas Bergvall (Kudus 86’) N/A

Kevin Danso (Palhinha 90+1) N/A