Tottenham player ratings Man City
Tottenham Hotspur clinched a spot in the fifth round of the EFL Cup after a gritty 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In this tough Tottenham vs Man City fourth-round clash, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou made five changes, bringing in Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin, Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Timo Werner to strengthen the squad against the reigning Premier League champions.
The team put on a spirited performance, showcasing both determination and skill to overcome Pep Guardiola’s side with score Tottenham 2-1 Man City.
So, how did Ange Postecoglu’s men perform in this Tottenham vs Man City EFL Cup clash? Here are the Tottenham player ratings vs Man City in their 2-1 win in the EFL Cup round of 16.
Tottenham player ratings vs Man City - EFL Cup (4-3-3)
Tottenham starting XI vs Man City
Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario (7/10)
The keeper had little action in the first half, save for picking the ball out of the net after Nunes’ strike before half-time. He was tested more in the second half, including a nervy moment in the dying minutes, but overall performed decently in this Tottenham vs Man City game.
Right Back: Archie Gray (5/10)
It was a challenging night for the young right-back as he struggled against Nunes’ speed. He was partially at fault for City's goal but improved his game in the second half, distributing the ball effectively.
Centre Back: Cristian Romero (7/10)
Integral in building up Tottenham’s first goal, Romero was solid in defence, making it difficult for City’s attackers to find space. He was substituted shortly after halftime.
Centre Back: Radu Dragusin (7/10)
Equally involved in the build-up to the opening goal, Dragusin showed confidence with key headers and strong defensive work, marking an impressive outing in this Tottenham vs Man City game.
Left Back: Micky van de Ven (4/10)
Starting at left-back in Destiny Udogie’s absence, Van de Ven’s night ended early due to a suspected hamstring injury, visibly disheartened as he left the field.
Centre Midfielder: Rodrigo Bentancur (7/10)
Returning to the lineup, Bentancur controlled the midfield with smart passing and timely tackles. A composed and influential performance that helped set the game’s tone.
Centre Midfielder: Pape Matar Sarr (7/10)
Sarr scored a sensational curling strike from outside the box that left City’s Ortega with no chance. It was a solid first-half performance in this Tottenham vs Man City EFL Cup game before being subbed out to prevent a second booking.
Centre Midfielder: Dejan Kulusevski (8/10)
Kulusevski was a key playmaker, delivering a perfect cross for Werner’s opener and assisting on Sarr’s goal. His vision and creativity were instrumental, and he nearly netted one himself early in the second half.
Right Wing: Brennan Johnson (6/10)
Struggled to find opportunities in attack but nearly scored in the second half. Showed glimpses of his potential but could have tracked back better to prevent City’s goal.
Centre Forward: Dominic Solanke (7/10)
Worked tirelessly up front, and although scoring chances were limited, his passing—including a superb assist for Werner early in the second half—was crucial to Tottenham’s offensive play.
Left Wing: Timo Werner (8/10)
Starting on the left in this Tottenham vs Man City game, Werner opened the scoring in emphatic fashion, capitalizing on Kulusevski’s cross. He was involved in the build-up to Sarr’s goal and was a consistent threat before being subbed due to a minor issue.
Tottenham substitutes vs Man City
Destiny Udogie (6/10) - Micky van de Ven, 13'
Udogie stepped in early for Van de Ven. Despite some positioning errors, Udogie made notable contributions on the left in the second half of this Tottenham vs Man City tie.
Yves Bissouma (7/10) - Pape Matar Sarr, 46'
Bissouma came on in the second half, quickly received a yellow card, but stayed disciplined throughout. His late-game block was critical in preserving Tottenham’s lead.
Ben Davies (6/10) - Cristian Romero, 52'
Davies solidified the defense in Romero’s absence as City upped the pressure, making key clearances to keep the scoreline in Tottenham’s favour.
Richarlison (6/10) - Timo Werner, 68'
Richarlison sisplayed energy and physicality in attack, making strong runs. Had a great opportunity to score but missed, visibly frustrated by the misstep.
Mikey Moore (4/10) - Brennan Johnson, 68'
Played on the right wing after coming on but had limited influence on the game.
Tottenham manager vs Man City
Ange Postecoglu (7/10)
It was a tough game for Ange Postecoglu and he passed the test. His team was brilliant. The gritty performance ensured that the Spurs play in the quarter-final of the EFL Cup by winning this round of 16 tie with the scoreline Tottenham 2-1 Man City.
Tottenham player ratings vs Man City (4-3-3): Starting XI - Vicario (7/10); Gray (5/10), Romero (7/10), Dragusin (7/10), van de Ven (4/10); Bentancur (7/10) Sarr (7/10), Kulusevski (8/10); Johnson (6/10), Solanke (7/10), Werner (8/10). Substitutes - Udogie (6/10), Bissouma (7/10), Davies (6/10), Richarlison (6/10), Moore (4/10). Manager - Postecoglu (7/10).
What are your Tottenham player ratings vs Man City in their 2-1 win in the EFL Cup round of 16?