The Premier League champions again suffered an early exit from a competition they used to dominate as a resurgent Spurs held out
Pep Guardiola called upon several youth and fringe players as Manchester City took on Tottenham in the Carabao Cup fourth round, and even though there was a generous sprinkling of experience and quality to go with that, his side were second-best as they lost 2-1 in north London.
With only six minutes on the clock, Tottenham took the lead. Archie Gray's pass into the channel found Brennan Johnson, who flicked the ball forward and set Dejan Kulusevski racing away. The Swede scampered to the byline and crossed low for Timo Werner to power beyond Stefan Ortega.
Midway through the first half, the visitors found themselves two down. A simple corner routine saw Kulusevski tee up Pape Matar Sarr on the edge of the box, and he curled his strike from 25 yards in at the near post.
City's first opportunity came shortly before the break when Matheus Nunes ran down the outside of Gray and fizzed a teasing cross through the six-yard box, which only just evaded the toes of Phil Foden. In the final minute of first-half stoppage time, however, City grabbed themselves a lifeline as Savinho twisted his way past Destiny Udogie and chipped a lovely cross up for Nunes to convert at the back stick.
Tottenham should have been out of sight on the other side of the break when Dominic Solanke turned away from two City defenders and sent Werner through against Ortega, but he took his touch wide and his weak-foot strike whistled past the far post. Minutes later, Ortega threw up a strong hand to deny Kulusevski when he was similarly clear on goal.
Guardiola's men were in real danger of receiving a knockout blow in the final 10 minutes, with Josko Gvardiol notably throwing the ball straight to Richarlison, who somehow fluffed his lines when met with Ortega at close quarters.
City had one final chance left in them, which came when Guglielmo Vicario flapped at a corner and the loose ball fell kindly for Nico O'Reilly, but the youngster's strike was poked off the line by Yves Bissouma and the hosts held on through six minutes of added time for the victory.
GOAL rates City's players from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
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Stefan Ortega (6/10):
May come in for criticism for allowing Sarr's strike to beat him at the near post, but he was a tad unsighted and the shot had such power behind it that it wasn't a simple effort to deal with. Made some fine saves during the second half when Spurs threatened to run away with the game.
Rico Lewis (4/10):
The main reason Lewis' blushes will be spared in the grander scheme of the game is Werner's characteristic wastefulness. The German forward had the young full-back on toast for the most part.
John Stones (5/10):
As composed as ever when playing out from the back, particularly under the heavy pressure of Solanke. Put through his paces by Spurs' quick and unrelenting attacks in transition to balance that out.
Ruben Dias (6/10):
A last-minute addition to the line up after Akanji had to pull out. City's best defender in the first half before he was taken off at the break for Gvardiol.
Nathan Ake (5/10):
Caught high up the pitch leading up to Tottenham's opening goal. Shifted to centre-back for the second half after Gvardiol was introduced until being substituted for the closing stages.
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Ilkay Gundogan (5/10):
As intelligent a player as the German is, he didn't suit marshalling the midfield from the deepest position, continually losing runners in a testing first half. Replaced by Kovacic for the second 45.
James McAtee (5/10):
Spent perhaps too much time standing in the same positions as winger Nunes, with the pair clogging up the space in the left-hand channel. Showed off glimpses of brilliance with his quick feet, though was then usually met by a robust challenge from someone in a Spurs shirt.
Nico O'Reilly (6/10):
The only City midfielder who felt empowered to take the ball and drive with it into the final third, which he ought to have done more often when Tottenham's defending became stubborn. A promising outing that was almost capped by a goal if not for Bissouma's goal-line clearance.
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Savinho (7/10):
Stifled in the early stages before growing into the game once City found themselves two goals down. Didn't really trouble Van de Ven during the Dutchman's short time on the pitch before injury ended his evening. Had more joy taking on Udogie, though Savinho's own night ended with him getting stretchered off after the hour mark.
Phil Foden (4/10):
Listen, it's obvious Foden isn't Haaland, but he also isn't useful as a striker, full stop. Didn't link up with his wingers at all and was hooked for Bernardo after 58 minutes.
Matheus Nunes (7/10):
The usually out-of-favour Portuguese has made the most of his recent excursions in a City shirt. Had the beating of Gray frequently given the teenage right-back was left to fend for himself. Capped off a fine first half with a well-taken goal.
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Mateo Kovacic (6/10):
Slightly more mobile than Gundogan alone in defensive midfield, though he was largely powerless to stop Tottenham's counter-attacks.
Josko Gvardiol (5/10):
Likewise brought more mobility and fresh legs to the contest. Similarly had to do a lot of chasing going back towards his own goal.
Bernardo Silva (6/10):
City's brightest spark during the last third of the game, even if that's not saying too much. His impact was dampened after Richarlison was substituted on for Tottenham and provided Udogie with extra protection.
Jacob Wright (6/10):
Came on for Savinho for his second senior appearance of the season. Flashed a shot narrowly wide with one of his first touches.
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey (6/10):
Made his senior debut for the final 17 minutes in place of Ake.
Pep Guardiola (5/10):
The Catalan was open about his main priority being to get City to the November international break, with good performances and winning results hopefully to follow. City failed on all three accounts in north London.