Tottenham 2-1 Manchester City: Werner ends drought as Guardiola's side eliminated

In a thrilling Carabao Cup fourth-round encounter, Tottenham Hotspur emerged victorious over Manchester City with a 2-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This victory not only propelled Spurs into the quarter-finals but also marked a significant moment for Timo Werner, who ended his 18-match goal drought.

Key Moments of the Match

Early Lead for Tottenham

Timo Werner set the tone for the match by scoring just five minutes into the game. His goal came from a well-executed play, where Spurs impressively played out from the back. Archie Gray found Brennan Johnson, who flicked the ball to Dejan Kulusevski. Kulusevski then delivered a perfectly weighted cross, allowing Werner to slam the ball home from 14 yards.

Pape Sarr's Stunning Strike

Tottenham doubled their lead in the 25th minute with a superb goal from Pape Sarr. Sarr's curled strike from outside the box was a testament to his skill, giving Spurs a comfortable 2-0 advantage.

City's Response

Manchester City managed to pull one back just before the half-time whistle. Matheus Nunes scored with a fine finish, raising hopes for a City comeback in the second half

Tactical Decisions and Player Performances

Guardiola's Team Selection

Despite previously stating that the Carabao Cup was not a priority, Pep Guardiola fielded a stronger-than-expected team, albeit resting key players like Erling Haaland. This decision sparked some controversy as City struggled to find an equalizer

Tottenham's Defensive Resilience

Tottenham's defence held firm in the second half, with crucial interventions preventing City from levelling the score. Notably, in the 89th minute, Guglielmo Vicario failed to claim a corner, but Yves Bissouma cleared O’Reilly’s shot off the line, ensuring Spurs' victory

Injuries and Substitutions

The match saw several players leave the field due to injuries. Micky van de Ven was substituted off early in the game, and later, Savinho had to be stretchered off. Timo Werner also limped off, adding to the list of casualties

Conclusion

Tottenham's victory over Manchester City not only secured their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals but also brought them a step closer to ending their 16-year trophy drought. The performance, particularly from Timo Werner, provided a significant morale boost for the team as they continue their pursuit of silverware this season