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Three Takeaways as Manchester City lose to Tottenham

By J.C. Gonzalez

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City react during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 02, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City react during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 02, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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Manchester City squandered countless opportunities as Tottenham took a 2-0 win in North London despite only managing three shots in the entire match.

Manchester City dropped more points following a disappointing loss to José Mourinho’s Tottenham. Although Leicester’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Saturday allowed City to remain two points clear in second, City simply failed to convert key chances on several occasions in a match filled with twists and controversy.

With Liverpool 22 points clear at the top, this result means little in the grand context of what has become a dead rubber Premier League season. City remain 14 points clear of Spurs in fifth despite the result, and should have no issues making the top four however poor this campaign has been.

1. City, Spurs, and VAR: The gift that keeps on giving

VAR controversy struck in a football match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Surprised? I think not. Raheem Sterling easily could have, and probably should have, been sent off for a dangerous challenge on Dele Alli, held up by VAR as only a yellow before the real madness kicked in.

City were awarded a penalty, overruling the referee’s decision long after play had continued. That decision in itself was dubious, but İlkay Gündoğan’s poor effort was saved by Hugo Lloris, who was clearly off his line when the ball was struck, yet the linesman failed to signal for a retake. Sterling then quickly recovered the ball and was taken out by a diving Lloris, who failed to get the ball. Even though this offense was far more egregious than the initial foul, VAR upheld the no penalty decision and play continued. Staggering once again.

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2. A disaster-class in finishing

While the home side were extremely efficient and finished nearly every chance that fell their way, City lost this match because they stuffed constant opportunities. For the first time in the Pep Guardiola era, City have been held scoreless in two consecutive matches despite many clear-cut chances to take the lead in this game. City have now lost as many league games this year despite playing only 25 games as they have in any previous season under the Catalan boss, with the previous worst being his first season.

3. Warning Signs

City’s success this season will be determined by the Champions League alone. While the lack of a title race will allow them to focus on Europe, a la Real Madrid’s Champions League-winning seasons, they must show some good form and build momentum heading into their last-16 tie against Los Blancos later this month. While we still believe that City can win this competition at their best, the fact that we have yet to see their best for some time is worrying heading into such a massive fixture.