Tottenham vs Manchester City EFL Cup Report

Scorers: Werner 5’, Sarr 25’; Nunes 45+4’

Tottenham 2-1 Manchester City: Spurs Knock Out Defending Champions to Progress in Carabao Cup

Tottenham Hotspur delivered a thrilling performance to knock out Manchester City in the Carabao Cup, securing a 2-1 victory at home and advancing to the quarter-finals.

First-half goals from Timo Werner and Pape Matar Sarr gave Spurs a decisive edge over a rotated City lineup. Pep Guardiola’s side, despite a valiant effort, could only muster a consolation goal through Matheus Nunes just before halftime.

First Half: Lightning Start from Spurs

Tottenham wasted no time setting the tone, striking after just six minutes. A clever flick from Brennan Johnson released Dejan Kulusevski down the right, who crossed low for Werner to slot home with a first-time finish.

It marked Werner’s first goal of the season and only his third in 26 appearances for Spurs, giving the home crowd an early lift.

However, Spurs suffered a setback when defender Micky van de Ven was forced off due to a hamstring injury, almost a year to the day after a similar issue against Chelsea. But the injury did little to deter Tottenham’s aggressive approach.

Just 25 minutes in, Spurs capitalised again. Following a short corner, Sarr struck a curling shot from 25 yards that beat City keeper Stefan Ortega at his near post.

Sarr’s perfectly placed strike extended the hosts’ lead, and despite City’s increased pressure, Spurs were determined to protect their advantage.

City Responds but Falls Short

Phil Foden missed a golden opportunity for City, volleying over from close range as the visitors finally pinned Spurs back. But in the fourth minute of added time, City’s persistence paid off.

Savinho’s quick run and cut-back found Nunes at the far post, who calmly finished to halve the deficit before the break.

Second Half: Spurs Hold Firm

The second half saw City increase their dominance as they sought an equaliser, but Tottenham’s defence, despite fatigue and pressure, held firm.

With Ange Postecoglou’s side maintaining their discipline, City’s attempts were thwarted, securing Spurs’ victory and ending Guardiola’s hopes of another Carabao Cup trophy.

This hard-fought win propels Spurs to the quarter-finals and serves as a confidence boost in their quest for silverware this season.

For City, who made six changes to their lineup, the result marks an early exit from a competition Guardiola has historically dominated, signalling the end of their first trophy pursuit of the campaign.

You can find more information on all games in this competition here:

Carabao Cup draw, Final date, results, fixtures, stats, rules – The English Football League