City lost all momentum and control and, if not for a couple of brilliant saves by Gianluigi Donnarumma, they probably would have been beaten.<\/p>\n
Normally if you have controlled the first half and the other team comes at you more after the break, you might face more pressure and concede more chances but you will also have more space for breakaways.<\/p>\n
That did not happen for City against Spurs, even though Frank had left Joao Palhinha and Radu Dragusin two v two against Semenyo and Haaland as he chased the game. Firstly because Spurs were much more switched on, but also because City’s front two were poor.<\/p>\n
They did not hold enough balls up, or give enough options in behind. I would expect far more from them in that scenario.<\/p>\n
Overall, though, I would not say what happened was down to City being all bad or Spurs becoming brilliant – it was a combination of both.<\/p>\n
Spurs did much better but City fell down a few levels. That contrast in performances from them, between the first and second half, was as extreme as I have seen from Guardiola’s side in a long time.<\/p>\n
City have now only won one of their past six league games, and I think everyone is surprised by their results because they have got so much quality and experience.<\/p>\n
The reality about their performances is they are not at the level they should be, with the players they have got.<\/p>\n
The reason I can say that is not because of their past title triumphs, it is because in the first half I saw City play like a team trying to catch Arsenal<\/a> – a team on a mission saying “we’re coming after you”.<\/p>\n Part of the fall off from them in the second half was self-inflicted – giving the ball away, not winning challenges or second balls. It was very unlike them, because we are used to seeing them manage games so well.<\/p>\n