Brilliant Tottenham stifle Manchester City

The intensity that the home side showed throughout the Premier League encounter meant their opponents’ usually strong possession statistics were left decimated

Tottenham became the first side to beat Manchester City during Pep Guardiola’s reign as they produced a classy performance to see off their title rivals 2-0 at White Hart Lane on Sunday.An early own goal from Aleksandar Kolarov gave the hosts the edge before the points were secured by a strike from Dele Alli.Spurs could even afford to squander a penalty in the second half through Erik Lamela and still claim the points.Mauricio Pochettino will have seen Celtic’s high-intensity pressing succeed in worrying City during the Champions League in midweek, and that will have no doubt played a part in the Argentine adopting a similar approach.It was a ploy that succeeded. Guardiola’s men succeeded in completing only 79 per cent of their passes during the 90 minutes ”“ exactly the Premier League average this season ”“ down from their usual standard of 84 per cent.Further evidence that suggests the Citizens were unsettled by their opponents comes from the fact that they attained only 58 per cent possession ”“ a significant percentage by the standard of most teams, but a relatively modest figure in the world of the Catalan’s ball-hungry teams. Indeed, City’s average ball possession is 63 per cent over the course of their league matches to date, with which they make 482 passes ”“ on Sunday they made only 370.Not only did Tottenham hustle their opponents effectively, but they were effective with the ball too. Pochettino’s side offered 12 shots on goal, and despite missing chief striker Harry Kane, only four failed to test Claudio Bravo in the visiting net.City’s shooting percentage was also impressive ”“ six on target from nine efforts ”“ but they were unable to beat Hugo Lloris in the home goal.Spurs’ point of attack was also interesting, as they channelled 75% of their forays down the wings, with Erik Lamela on the left particularly busy as 41 per cent of their attacks went through him. City tended to attack down Raheem Sterling’s left flank.This was Tottenham’s 23rd Premier League success over City from 39 matches. They have beaten them more than any other side they have faced in the top-flight’s modern era, with this success nudging them ahead of Everton in Spurs’ hit list.Most importantly for Pochettino, however, was the fact that this victory has really sent a message to the rest of the league that Spurs’ third-placed finish last term was no fluke and they will be pushing for the title once more come May.