Tottenham 2-0 Manchester City: Player Ratings as Mourinho Masterclass Fires Spurs Top

21 November 2020 10:33

Tottenham Hotspur consolidated their place in the Premier League title race with an impressive 2-0 victory over Manchester City in an entertaining affair in north London.

Spurs took the lead inside five minutes, when Tanguy Ndombele's great swivel and lofted ball found the feet of Son Heung-min, who fired beyond Ederson with typical ease. Harry Kane put the ball in the net soon after, following some lovely buildup play, but the England star was stood in an offside position and the goal was disallowed.

The visitors then thought they'd equalised on 28 minutes, but Aymeric Laporte's strike was ruled out for an earlier handball infringement by Gabriel Jesus. The second half began with Man City on top, and Kevin De Bruyne came close to finding the equaliser with a low, driven strike from just outside the box.

But it was Jose Mourinho's men who struck next, when substitute Giovani Lo Celso made an instant impact, sliding the ball home with his first touch of the afternoon. Spurs stuck to their game plan and defended resolutely, seeing out the final 20 minutes to go top of the table and leave Pep Guardiola's side languishing in tenth.

Here's your player ratings from a pulsating 90 minutes of football.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Battling away | Clive Rose/Getty Images

Hugo Lloris (GK) - 7/10 - Organised his back four with plenty of shouting. Had little to do in terms of shots on target to stop, but commanded his box well and repelled any balls within his reach.

Serge Aurier (RB) - 9/10 - Stepped in to replace Matt Doherty and played a blinder, reading the endless diagonal balls well to intercept when needed. Showed new levels of discipline and did the job to his maximum.

Toby Alderweireld (CB) - 8/10 - A man mountain. Defended on the front foot, headed everything that crossed his path and excellently executed some vital tackles in and around the box.

Eric Dier (CB) - 8/10 - As solid as his partner. Was not fazed by the challenge of Jesus down the centre, and offered plenty of help to his full-backs when the time came. Defended a De Bruyne attack particularly well in the second half.

Sergio Reguillon (LB) - 8/10 - Defended brilliantly against the trickery and fast feet of Mahrez, showing him wide and ridding the winger of possession on countless occasions. A real upgrade in that role.

2. Midfielders

A Class act | Pool/Getty Images

Moussa Sissoko (CM) - 8/10 - Used his immense strength and power to halt a dangerous first-half attack with a good old fashioned shoulder barge. Tore between the lines and shielded the defence expertly.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (CM) - 9/10 - The unsung hero every manager dreams of. Hojbjerg kept Spurs ticking over, moving the ball smartly and protecting those behind him with his life.

Tanguy Ndombele (CM) - 8/10 - Toyed with the Man City defence before splitting it with a delicious lofted pass. A touch of class from a classy player. Wriggled out of traffic and into space with ease. Subbed - but rightly so, as it turned out.

3. Forwards

Say cheese | Pool/Getty Images

Steven Bergwijn (RW) - 7/10 - Offered plenty of energy out wide, chasing back and doing his defensive duties well. Will be disappointed his lovely pass to Son counted for nothing when Kane tapped in from an offside position.

Harry Kane (ST) - 9/10 - Did his playmaking from deep once again, drawing defenders out of position and leaving gaps for others to exploit. Uncharacteristically strayed offside for a simple tap-in. Got another assist with a wonderfully weighted pass, and won countless free-kicks to kill the contest late on.

Heung-Min Son (LW) - 8/10 - Cold as ice in front of goal, converting his first sniff inside five minutes. A beautiful piece of control and a finish to match. Always looked to get in behind and stretch the defence.

4. Substitutes

Giovani Lo Celso (CM) - 8/10 - Scored with his first touch, slipping a slide rule finish past the onrushing Ederson.

Lucas Moura (RW) - 7/10

Joe Rodon (CB) - N/A

MANCHESTER CITY

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Not his finest hour | NEIL HALL/Getty Images

Ederson (GK) - 5/10 - Went walkies for the opening goal, and did not strike confidence through the defence. Left with little hope for the second.

Kyle Walker (RB) - 6/10 - Lightning pace bailed the Man City defence out of a couple of holes in the first half. Nowhere to be seen when Lo Celso strolled through unchallenged.

Ruben Dias (CB) - 6/10 - Kept Bergwijn relatively quiet and coped well when thrust under pressure by Kane. Left exposed for Spurs' second. Not at his best.

Aymeric Laporte (CB) - 6/10 - Allowed Son to escape behind him early on. Provided a striker's finish with a clinical close-range strike, but it was all for nothing given Jesus' infringement.

Joao Cancelo (LB) - 6/10 - Lack of communication with Laporte perhaps contributed to Son sneaking in unnoticed to break the deadlock. Showed plenty of attacking intent down the left. Delivery lacking, however.

6. Midfielders

De Bruyne looking like a man who's seen one too many VAR decisions go against him | Clive Rose/Getty Images

Kevin De Bruyne (CM) - 7/10 - Probably would have brought his side level, if it weren't for his drilled shot smashing an offside Jesus. Flashed a shot wide in the second half and will be disappointed to have missed the target.

Rodrigo (CM) - 6/10 - Did his best against a physical and commanding Spurs midfield, but was often outfought. A very forgettable performance, all round.

Bernardo Silva (CM) - 5/10 - Drove the visitors forward with his neat ball-carrying skills. Occasionally hung onto the ball a fraction too long, and faded as the game progressed. Subbed.

7. Forwards

Jesus taking a tumble | Clive Rose/Getty Images

Riyad Mahrez (RW) - 6/10 - Threatened in the opening exchanges, killing diagonal balls and cutting in with intent. Couldn't quite apply the deadly touch to go with it. Drifted out of the game. Subbed.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) - 5/10 - Missed a decent chance and then blocked De Bruyne's goal-bound effort in a disappointing few seconds. Did well to set up Laporte for the disallowed equaliser - except using his hand, obviously. Another night to forget on the big occasion for the Brazilian.

Ferran Torres (LW) - 5/10 - Provided plenty of width on that left flank in the first half, and regularly found himself in a dangerous amount of space. Never really looked like pulling something out of the bag.

8. Substitutes

Raheem Sterling (LW) - 6/10

Phil Foden (CM) - 6/10

Source: 90min