Manchester City were unable to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season after going down 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush started for City ahead of Jeremy Doku and Bernardo Silva, while two changes for Spurs saw Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentacur given a start following their victory over Burnley.
City were forced into a substitution in the opening quarter as off-season signing Rayan Ait-Nouri picked up an injury and limped off to see Nathan Ake come on.
The host still managed to work an opening as Erling Haaland turned possession around the half-way line minutes later to release Marmoush, but Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario made the save.
Spurs, though, were ahead ten minutes to halftime as Brennan Johnson applied a sweeping finish from the area, with the goal awarded on review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
The high-press by the visitors bothered City, who had goalkeeper James Trafford concede possession when trying to play out, leaving Palhinha to finish easily in additional time.
City came out for the second half with intent, but struggled to get in-behind and make the opposite number in Vicario produce saves.
The host continued pushing in the latter stages and very nearly got a way in through a loose ball outside the area following a corner-kick, but Rico Lewis blazed over.
Spurs didn’t drop deep in order but went searching for more goals through Richarlison Dominic Solanke and Lucas Bergvall.
Solanke nearly got in on the act a minute into stoppage time with a snap shot, but Trafford was able to make the save as two goals were enough to keep Spurs' winning start going.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
