new failure for Manchester City, already eliminated by Tottenham

It’s complicated to be at your best on all fronts when you’re called Manchester City, a club where it has become commonplace to play between 75 and 80 matches per season. Obviously, Pep Guardiola has understood this well, accustomed to rotations in the Cup in recent years. It’s not a lack of ambition, but more a desire to prioritize competitions according to their importance, and in this little game, the <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/tottenham-chelsea-0-1-emergency-doctor-use-in-the-final-antonio-rudiger-with-back-goal-football/" title="Tottenham – Chelsea 0: 1: emergency doctor use in the final, Antonio Rüdiger with back goal – football”>Carabao Cup (the English League Cup) comes at the very end. After winning 6 between 2013 and 2021, Manchester City had accumulated failures in recent seasons: 1/8 final in 2022 (defeat against West Ham), 1/4 final in 2023 (defeat against Southampton), and 1/ Round of 16 in 2024 (loss against Newcastle).

A new face was therefore expected by the supporters this evening, against Tottenham, in the 1/8th round, and if it was generally positive, it was not enough to stop this bad series. With an eleven bis, depopulated by the presence of Haaland, Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, Ederson or even Gvardiol, the Skyblues conceded their first defeat of the season (2-1). Trailing from the 5th minute of play after a goal from Werner on a counter (1-0), they folded again 20 minutes later on a superb inspiration from the ex-Messin, Pape Matar Sarr, at the end of a combination played from a corner (25th). Tottenham had a perfect offensive score, and the only downside was the injury exit of Micky van de Ven (14th). On the visitors’ side, it was necessary to restore order and after a breather from Guardiola, City took control of the game.

Fourth disappointment in a row for Manchester City in the League Cup

Just before the break, Foden had a huge opportunity to reduce the gap, but after a game of billiards in the area, his shot flirted with Vicario’s bar (43rd). A warning for the apathetic Spurs defense, which gave way to punishment a few seconds later. Taking advantage of a gaping space left by Udogie, Savinho rushed over and found Nunes at the far post, who just had to push the ball into the back of the net (45+4th, 2-1). Returning from the locker room, Guardiola brought on Kovacic and Gvardiol, then Bernardo Silva and Wright after Savinho’s injury a few minutes later.

To say that they then dominated their subject would be a bit of an exaggeration: they had the ball, occupied the opposing half of the field, but did not have more clear chances than the Spurs, responding opposite. The biggest certainly being this attempt by the very interesting O’Reilly, saved on his line by Bissouma in the final moments (89th). But before that, Werner had brought forward the harvest time by not scheduling a face-to-face, while Richarlison had lost his after a classy action at the end of the second half. If we once believed that Spurs would pay for this lack of realism, the essential was ultimately assured. They will see the quarter-final stage, but not Manchester City, who are experiencing another failure.