Manchester City suffered an unexpected setback in their Premier League title defence as Tottenham Hotspur secured a 2–0 victory at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Spurs struck decisively in the first half through Brennan Johnson and João Palhinha, handing Pep Guardiola’s side their first defeat of the 2025/26 season
The win comes a week after City’s commanding 4–0 triumph at Wolves, highlighting the unpredictable start to the campaign.
Tottenham, under new manager Thomas Frank, executed a disciplined performance, frustrating City despite the hosts holding nearly 60 percent possession.
A defensive mix-up between Ric Lewis and debutant goalkeeper James Trafford allowed Palhinha to double Spurs’ lead, leaving City chasing the game.
City struggled to break through a compact and organised Spurs defence, with their attempts often stifled before reaching threatening positions.
Tottenham, by contrast, capitalised on their opportunities with clinical precision, demonstrating tactical maturity and composure throughout the match.
A report on the Spurs website reflected on the performance: “City are beaten 2–0 by Tottenham in our opening home game of the 2025/26 campaign
Looking to build momentum after a wonderful win against Wolves at Molineux, there were no home comforts for Pep Guardiola’s men as first-half goals from Brennan Johnson and João Palhinha did the damage at the Etihad.”
The victory sees Tottenham start the season with back-to-back wins, propelling them to the top of the Premier League table. For Manchester City, the result is a stark reminder that the road to defending their title will not be straightforward
