LONDON: Under new manager Thomas Frank, Tottenham maintained its strong start to the Premier League season on Saturday, defeating Manchester City 2-0 with to goals from Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha.
James Trafford, the goalie for City, had a forgettable afternoon.
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Spurs celebrated a 2-0 victory after scoring four goals without a response against City the previous season. Palhinha, who is currently on loan, took advantage of a mistake made by home debutant Trafford just after Johnson had opened the scoring.
Tottenham is deserving of the accolades, but goalkeeper Trafford, who rejoined the Etihad Stadium this summer after joining from Burnley for 27 million pounds ($36.5 million), will be the focus of much post-match analysis.
Although Trafford may have been sent off for a clumsy foul on Mohammed Kudus before his massive blunder allowed Palhinha to score in first-half stoppage time, Johnson’s opening goal was difficult to stop.
Returning from injury, Ederson observed from the sidelines as rumors swirled about his future and City’s possible pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain star Gianluigi Donnarumma.
On a challenging day for the home team, Nathan Ake had to take Rayan Ait-Nouri’s place halfway through the first half due to an injury.
Tottenham found the net shortly after. Richarlison broke away after Pape Matar Sarr’s flicked header and fired a low ball across for Johnson to slam in.
The goal was subsequently awarded after being initially disallowed for offside against the Brazil international, and the away end immediately erupted in ecstasy following the VAR’s review.
Following Trafford’s stupid pass short in his own box to Nico Gonzalez, who had Sarr on his back, City began to deteriorate.
After going loose to Richarlison, the ball found its way to Palhinha, who scored Spurs’ second goal.
Ouattara’s first goal
Brentford defeated Aston Villa 1-0 thanks to a goal by Dango Ouattara, who made his debut.
Ouattara, who came from Bournemouth last week, only had 12 minutes to make an impression when Igor Thiago nodded in a goal kick from Caoimh n Kelleher. Emiliano Martinez stopped Ouattara’s first attempt, but the Burkina Faso winger scored on the rebound.
With a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton, who were reduced to 10 men for nearly the whole second half when defender Toti was sent off for pushing over Bournemouth forward Evanilson, Bournemouth also earned their first points of the season.
In the fourth minute, Marcus Tavernier scored the lone goal.
Objective and support
Burnley defeated fellow promoted Sunderland 2-0 to earn their first points back in the top flight, with Jaidon Anthony setting up Josh Cullen for the first goal and scoring the other himself.
Later on Saturday, Leeds played Arsenal.
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