Tottenham handed Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City their third consecutive league defeat on Saturday, showcasing a tactical masterclass from Ange Postecoglou. Despite missing their first-choice defensive pairing, Postecoglou proved his worth with a well-structured setup that not only silenced the champions but also sent a clear message to chairman Daniel Levy about his managerial excellence.
Cristian Romero was given the time needed to recover after withdrawing from Argentina’s clash with Peru, while his defensive partner, Micky van de Ven, remains sidelined with a hamstring injury for over a month. In their absence, Ben Davies brought his experience to the army, partnering with Radu Drăgușin, who delivered an excellent performance.
Meanwhile, the absence of Rodrigo Bentancur dominated pre-match discussions, but Ange Postecoglou showcased his managerial speciality. The Australian tactician sent a clear message to his chairman, Daniel Levy, letting his team’s outstanding performance against Manchester City do the talking.
Ange seemed to be very impressed by the lads
If Daniel Levy had any lingering doubts about Ange Postecoglou’s future following the pressure from the surprise defeat to Ipswich, the emphatic victory at the Etihad surely put them to rest. This type of response will undoubtedly please Levy, who supported Postecoglou in the summer transfer window by bringing in Dominic Solanke, Archie Gray, and Wilson Odobert.
The win was even more remarkable considering Spurs’ inconsistency this season and the fact that five teenagers featured on the bench, highlighting the team’s faith amidst challenging circumstances.
Ange Postecoglou, known for being a tough nut to please, appeared genuinely satisfied and delighted with the result. He was full of praise for his team, commending their disciplined performance and how well they executed his instructions on the day.
Speaking to BBC, the Australian remarked
“It’s significant when you understand the context of who we were playing. I’m proud of the lads, the football we played, the resilience, and the discipline we showed.”
“The disappointing thing over the last few games is that we’ve fallen well short of the kind of team we want to be. But I have no doubt we are on the right track.”
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The win lifts Tottenham to sixth in the league, just three points behind fifth-placed Brighton, while Manchester City narrowly hold on to second place. Spurs will now turn their attention to Europa League action, where they face Roma midweek, before hosting Fulham in the Premier League next Sunday.
