Postecoglou praises his side’s performance after commanding win over Manchester City

Tottenham Hotspur delivered a stunning 4-0 victory over defending Premier League champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. James Maddison led the charge with a first-half brace, while Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson added second-half goals to seal a dominant win. Despite facing relentless pressure from City, Spurs showcased resilience and clinical finishing, earning one of their most impressive results of the season.

For Spurs fans, the win was especially satisfying after a turbulent period that included a shocking home loss to newly-promoted Ipswich Town and a frustrating international break. Tottenham’s victory over City, a team they’ve historically had success against, felt different this time—more methodical and comprehensive than previous encounters.

Postecoglou’s Praise for His Team

Head coach Ange Postecoglou was full of praise for his players in the post-match press conference. He highlighted their disciplined performance and ability to adapt under pressure, saying:
“You don’t come to a place like this expecting it to be as convincing as it was. City test you in every way—defensively, physically, and in how you play football. I thought we excelled in all areas. After the disappointment of our last match, the players returned to our core beliefs and were outstanding today.”

Postecoglou also commended his team’s ability to weather City’s early onslaught and gradually grow into the game. The tactical tweaks he made, including deploying Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min on the wings to exploit City’s aggressive man-to-man defending, paid off handsomely.

“We knew City would start strongly, especially at home. We focused on playing through the wings with Deki and Sonny, and I think it worked well. Even when under pressure, we persisted with our approach, and it resulted in some fantastic goals,” Postecoglou explained.

Defensive Resilience in the Face of Injuries

Missing first-choice center-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, Spurs turned to Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies, who delivered stellar performances. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario also stood out, making five crucial saves, while Yves Bissouma controlled the midfield despite playing most of the match on a yellow card.

Postecoglou lauded the defensive unit:
“Ben and Radu were excellent, both in defending against their threats and building play from the back. Vicario was superb as well, and Bissouma’s discipline and composure in midfield were vital. It was a collective effort, and everyone contributed to our defensive solidity.”

Maddison’s Redemption

James Maddison, who had faced criticism for a dip in form earlier in the season, stole the spotlight with two first-half goals. Postecoglou praised the midfielder’s work ethic and emphasized the importance of providing him the right platform to succeed.

“Madders had a couple of flat games recently, but he worked hard during the international break, and I could see he was ready for a big performance. It wasn’t just his goals—his role in the build-up and his defensive contribution were also crucial,” Postecoglou said.

Looking Ahead

The victory is a significant morale boost for Spurs, who now enter a demanding stretch with matches twice a week until the end of December. Consistency has been a challenge for the team this season, but they will hope this win sparks momentum.

Next up, Tottenham host Roma in the Europa League on Thursday, followed by a Premier League clash at home. The coming weeks will test their depth and resolve as they aim to build on this remarkable triumph.