Tottenham 0 Manchester City 1: Mahrez settles ragged Wembley showdown

Riyad Mahrez scored the only goal as Manchester City beat Tottenham in a scrappy encounter at Wembley.

Published : Oct 30, 2018 08:34 IST

Riyad Mahrez (CL) reacts after scoring against Tottenham.
Riyad Mahrez (CL) reacts after scoring against Tottenham.
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Riyad Mahrez (CL) reacts after scoring against Tottenham.

Manchester City overcame Tottenham and the difficult Wembley pitch to claim a 1-0 win in Monday's Premier League clash.

Riyad Mahrez struck after just six minutes to settle the contest and return the champion to the top of the table on goal difference.

Much was made before the match of the state of the turf in north London following the weekend NFL game, and the surface certainly looked in a sorry state despite the best efforts of ground staff prior to kick-off.

Mahrez produced a sure-footed finish from Raheem Sterling's cross to put the visitor in front and it preserved its advantage with relative ease, as Spurs failed to ignite the sparse crowd, with many fans angered by the continued delay in finishing the new stadium.

Spurs started positively but undid their early good work when Kieran Trippier misjudged a long kick from Ederson and allowed Sterling to break into the box and cut the ball back for Mahrez to side-foot home.

The home side responded well, Harry Kane rifling a shot over the crossbar before Fernandinho intervened to deny Erik Lamela a clear sight of goal after Moussa Sissoko had sprinted clear of Benjamin Mendy.

 

Hugo Lloris saved from Mahrez at the left-hand post and Kane should have capitalised by making it 1-1 11 minutes before the break, but his heavy touch allowed Ederson to block at his feet.

David Silva strangely chose to pass to Sterling rather than shoot at the end of a flowing City move, with the ball eventually blocked by the covering Lloris, much to the frustration of Pep Guardiola.

Sergio Aguero twice tested Lloris as Spurs became stretched in their efforts to find an equaliser, but Erik Lamela blazed over when presented with a golden late chance by Dele Alli, as Mauricio Pochettino's side slipped five points behind the leader.

 

What does it mean? City back on top

Monday's win means the champion is still unbeaten in domestic competition this season and is now back on top of the table, level on 26 points with Liverpool but with a better goal difference.

It has scored 27 times already in its 10 league games this term and conceded just three, the last of which came in the 2-1 home win over Newcastle United on September 1.

Spurs, who have now lost three games this term, stay fifth in the table. They have won only two of their last five games in all competitions.

 

Mahrez keeps his composure

Kane and Lamela were each guilty of spurning clear chances on the troublesome surface, but Mahrez showed no such problems when he sprinted from the right to meet Sterling's pass in style.

The former Leicester City man pointed to the sky as he celebrated a goal scored just a day after the tragic confirmation that Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the chairman of his old club, was killed along with four others in a helicopter crash.

Mendy a mess for City

Benjamin Mendy seems to have won back the favour of his manager in recent weeks, but this was not a performance that will have left Guardiola impressed.

The full-back found it difficult to contain Sissoko and was often caught out of position when Tripper overlapped. Spurs should really have done more to make the most of his vulnerability.

Key Opta facts

- Manchester City became the first non-London side to win five consecutive Premier League games in the capital, with all wins coming in 2018 (against Arsenal twice, Spurs twice and West Ham).
- Two of Tottenham Hotspur’s four Premier League defeats at Wembley have been at the hands of Manchester City.
- Manchester City has conceded just three goals in its first 10 Premier League games this season – in top-flight history, only one team has conceded fewer in its first 10 games of a season (Chelsea in 2004-05, two conceded).
- Spurs have lost two home Premier League matches in a calendar year against a single opponent for the first time since 2005, when they lost twice against Chelsea at White Hart Lane.
- Manchester City remains unbeaten in the Premier League when Aymeric Laporte has featured (P19 W17 D2 L0) – the Spaniard has played more Premier League games without losing than any other player in the history of the competition. 

What's next?

Spurs are back in action in less than 48 hours' time, when they cross London to take on West Ham in the EFL Cup. A trip to Wolves on Saturday follows that.

City is in cup action at home to Fulham on Thursday, before struggling Southampton visits the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

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