Tottenham Hotspur secured a spot in the last eight of the EFL Cup with a narrow win over Manchester City. Goals from Timo Werner and Pape Matar Sarr gave Spurs a 2-0 lead within the opening 26 minutes of the game. City pulled one back just before half-time through Matheus Nunes, but were unable to find an equalizer despite dominating possession in the second half. Tottenham’s solid defensive display, including a crucial goal-line clearance from Yves Bissouma, ensured their progression in the tournament.
Both teams fielded rotated lineups, with City relying on their talented young players. Tottenham took advantage of the experience difference and created more chances throughout the match. The tactical tweaks made by Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, including starting with three centre-backs and a double pivot in midfield, played a key role in their victory. Despite injuries to Micky van de Ven and Savinho, both teams put on a competitive display in an intriguing match.
Dejan Kulusevski was named the Player of the Match for his standout performance in midfield for Tottenham. He provided two assists and was pivotal in orchestrating Spurs’ attacks, constantly involved in the action and working hard for the team. Tottenham’s attacking trio of Werner, Sarr, and Kulusevski impressed with their link-up play and threat on the counter-attack. Manchester City’s young talents showed promise but struggled to break down Spurs’ defense.
Player ratings for the match highlighted outstanding performances from Kulusevski, Werner, Sarr, and Bissouma for Tottenham, while City’s Nunes and Ortega received praise for their efforts. The goal scorers, Werner and Sarr, showcased their quality in front of goal, with Werner’s precise finish and Sarr’s stunning long-range strike proving to be pivotal in the outcome of the match. City’s injury concerns, particularly with Savinho being stretchered off, raised questions about their squad depth for future fixtures.
Key moments in the match included Werner’s opening goal from a swift counter-attack, Sarr’s sublime curling effort for Spurs’ second goal, and Nunes’ consolation goal for City just before half-time. Van de Ven’s injury early in the game and Savinho’s injury later on added drama to the encounter. Bissouma’s goal-line clearance in the dying minutes preserved Tottenham’s lead and sealed their victory. Despite City’s efforts to claw back into the game, they were unable to overcome Spurs’ resilient defense.
Overall, the match provided a fascinating spectacle with tactical battles, individual performances, and key moments shaping the outcome. Tottenham’s progression to the EFL Cup quarter-finals sets up an exciting prospect for their potential silverware ambitions under Postecoglou’s leadership. City’s young talents gained valuable experience despite the defeat, and both teams will assess their injury concerns ahead of upcoming fixtures. Spurs’ attacking prowess and defensive solidity were key factors in their success, while City’s resilience and determination were evident throughout the match.
