‘What are we watching?’: Postecoglou does the impossible
Ange Postecoglou has pulled off one of his biggest ever results as his Tottenham team set a record not seen in 69 years.
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Jaws have dropped across the UK as Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham blew Manchester City off their own turf on Sunday morning.
Postecoglou said he was “proud” of his side after their astonishing 4-0 win at the home of champions City.
City has now crashed to a stunning fifth consecutive defeat, ending the English champions’ 52-game unbeaten home run.
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James Maddison celebrated his 28th birthday with two first-half goals in the space of seven minutes before Pedro Porro rubbed salt in the wounds of his former club and Brennan Johnson completed the rout.
City’s first defeat on home soil from open play since the eve of the 2022 World Cup leaves them still five points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, who play their game in hand at bottom-of-the-table Southampton on Sunday.
A great day for Tottenham eases the pressure on Ange Postecoglou as they climb into the top six.
Manchester United legend turned Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville said after the third goal: “The stadium is shell-shocked. They can’t believe what they are watching.
“What are we watching?!”
He said at full time: “Goodness. Gracious. Me. You don’t see that very often”.
According to Opta, City have now become the first reigning top-flight champions to lose five games in a row in all competitions since Chelsea in March 1956. The leading stats provider called it “unbelievable”.
The 4-0 rout is also City’s worst home Premier League defeat since losing 5-1 to Arsenal in 2003.
“Proud of the lads,” Postecoglou told the BBC.
“To come to City at their place is a daunting prospect. It challenges every part of you.
“A bit of everything today. We had to be disciplined and work hard — and play decent football — and we did that. Our football was the difference today. Outstanding performance,” he added.
He said it was possible to become “spooked” against City, who have won the past four league titles.
“They test you in every way — mentally, physically, tactically,” he said.
“Our flat spots have been really flat and something we need to eradicate. We’re a much better team this year than last year. We just need to find consistency.”
Maddison told Sky Sports: “These days are rare. To come to the champions, especially City because of how much they’ve dominated, to come and win 4-0 is special. These are the days you remember.
“It’s important we enjoy it. Sometimes you’re just looking to the next game but these days are rare so certainly going to enjoy that one.”
City boss Pep Guardiola has committed himself to turning around the poorest run of his managerial career after extending his contract till 2027 this week.
But hopes his new deal could revitalise a City side, that have won an unprecedented four consecutive Premier League titles, proved short-lived.
Rodri paraded his Ballon d’Or trophy to the home fans before kick-off as his name was lit up across the Etihad pitch by firelight in an ostentatious show of support for the Spanish midfielder.
The 28-year-old is not expected to play again this season after suffering knee ligament damage in September and his absence has been at the heart of City’s demise.
Guardiola’s men did start strongly as Guglielmo Vicario denied Erling Haaland and the Norwegian had another shot deflected wide.
But the momentum of the match completely swung on Tottenham’s first serious attack after 13 minutes.
Dejan Kulusevski’s teasing cross picked out Maddison who applied a cool first-time finish.
Maddison had found himself frozen out of Postecoglou’s starting line-up in recent weeks and was keen to prove a point to his manager.
Son Heung-min’s inventive pass freed the England international inside the box and he dinked the ball over the advancing Ederson to double Spurs’ lead.
Inconsistency has been the scourge of Tottenham’s season so far. A 2-1 home defeat to Ipswich before the international break saw Postecoglou’s men slip to 10th in the table.
But they have now twice won comprehensively in Manchester after a 3-0 win over United at Old Trafford.
Dominic Solanke was denied by a fine Ederson save with the chance to make it 3-0 before half-time.
Spurs, though, were not to be denied seven minutes into the second period. The excellent Kulusevski crossed for Solanke and he patiently laid the ball back for Porro to blast home from close range.
Haaland clipped the bar from an almost impossible angle as City laboured to find a response.
Instead, they were hit with one final sucker punch as Timo Werner eased past Kyle Walker and crossed for Johnson to tap home at the far post.
The one glimmer of hope for City may be the return of Kevin De Bruyne after a two-month injury absence as a late substitute.
However, Guardiola has to find solutions fast if his side’s title defence is to be maintained into the new year.
A daunting trip to face Liverpool at Anfield is next up in the Premier League, where City have not won in front of a crowd since 2003.
— with AFP
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