Yesterday in Round 2 of the EPL, Tottenham, as the visiting side, went to Manchester City’s ground and recorded a confident 2:0 result. Strict discipline, loyalty to the game plan and quick transitions — these were the main hallmarks of the evening. The visitors properly distributed pressure in the center, sensitively searched for gaps on the flanks, and at the necessary moment found the required strike.
Against the background of this victory, another noteworthy fact surfaced: another name has been added to the list of coaches who have managed to beat Manchester City under Pep Guardiola in the EPL with two different clubs. Thomas Frank has now entered the ranks of the relatively few specialists who have achieved this success. Previously he did it with Brentford, and now he has repeated the same route with Tottenham.
Up to now, the coaches who reached this step were Antonio Conte (Tottenham and Chelsea) and José Mourinho (Manchester United and Tottenham). Frank’s addition to this trio once again confirms how great the importance is of deeply studying the opponent’s style and the small details in matches against the strongest.
In Tottenham’s game yesterday, correct adjustments after pauses, caution in building out from the back, and calmness against high pressure were decisive factors. The visitors shortened their lines in defense, restricted the opponent’s entries through the middle, and in quick counterattacks found a precise decision. At the same time, alertness on set pieces and off-the-ball movement served to put the opponent’s defense out of operation.
On Manchester City’s side, although ball control was high, accuracy was lacking in the final phase. In a number of episodes, split-second hesitations on the last pass or the decisive shot affected the result. For Guardiola’s pupils, such evenings are a necessary door ahead of a long season — an opportunity for analysis, conclusions, and tactical renewal.
From the standpoint of the result, like Frank’s “black-striped,” Tottenham also managed to find the right lock against City. This shows how important the trio — plan, discipline, and spirit — is in playing against the leaders in England. Readiness for such testing evenings over a long competition is the main capital in collecting points throughout the year.
In short, the 2:0 victory added not only points but also self-belief to Tottenham. Most importantly, Thomas Frank has entered the small group of managers in EPL history who have defeated Manchester City with two different clubs — in the same line as Conte and Mourinho. This is not only a statistical memorandum, but also another clear example of the art of reading the opponent on the big stage.
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