Ange Postecoglou ‘proud’ of Tottenham Hotspur after Manchester City rout

LONDON – Ange Postecoglou said he was “proud” of his Tottenham Hotspur side after their astonishing 4-0 win at the home of champions Manchester City on Nov 23.

James Maddison celebrated his 28th birthday with a double before Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson also got on the scoresheet, condemning City to a fifth straight defeat in all competitions.

The limp display left hundreds of shell-shocked City fans beating a hasty exit, ending the champions’ record run of 52 consecutive home matches unbeaten in all competitions.

The win lifts Spurs to sixth place in the English Premier League table, three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.

“Proud of the lads,” Postecoglou told the BBC. “To come to City at their place is a daunting prospect. It challenges every part of you.

“A bit of everything today. We had to be disciplined and work hard – and play decent football – and we did that. Our football was the difference today. Outstanding performance.”

He said it was possible to become “spooked” against City, who have won the past four league titles.

“They test you in every way – mentally, physically, tactically,” he said.

“Our flat spots have been really flat and something we need to eradicate. We’re a much better team this year than last year. We just need to find consistency.”

Former England and Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp called his former side the league’s “great entertainers”, saying on Sky Sports: “Tottenham are capable of brilliance. We’ve seen it.

“They have moments in games when they are a joy to watch but that chaotic nature they normally have wasn’t there today – they are the league’s great entertainers.”

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola finds himself in uncharted territory, losing five consecutive games for the first time in his outstanding managerial career, and the City boss said sticking together would be key for his players during this calamitous run.

“I’ve been here as a player, maybe not as a manager,” said Guardiola. “There are not fairy tales in life and sport, sometimes you have to live through these situations. You have to accept it. You can’t blame each other. Stay together, continue to do what we have done.

“Run away? Absolutely not, we have to stand up more than ever. What will define us is when we fail – we stand up and face it.”

The result came two days after Guardiola signed a two-year contract extension and on the heels of the international break.

While his players are struggling mightily, Guardiola said he had faith in them.

“I don’t know what will happen this season but not for one second will I not believe in these players,” he said. “There is no team in the world that can sustain success for eight, nine, 10 years in a row.

“Of course, everything is not fine but what we try to do is analyse it. Let’s go to next game and see what happens.”

The absence of midfielder and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who is sidelined for the season with a knee injury, has been glaring, but City have had several other key players battling injuries.

“Of course Rodri is important but we knew that for many months,” Guardiola said. “But (John) Stones can only play 45 minutes. Jack (Grealish) has been injured many times. Kevin (de Bruyne), two months.

“We have to come back and freshen our minds. The season is so long. Many things can happen.”

However, former Manchester United captain Gary Neville warned that City are “currently in decline”.

He told Sky Sports: “We’ve seen City lose the odd game here, but we’ve very rarely seen them outplayed in every department...

“They look well short, as short as I’ve seen them since Pep’s first season. I’ve not seen them as bad as this, how they’ve been in the last few weeks...

“It further entrenches the opinion this is a City side currently in decline. It seems madness, when you think about what they’ve achieved. They’re easy to play against and teams are encouraged when playing them.

“The vulnerabilities are clear for everyone to see.” AFP, REUTERS