Tottenham fans, this was the performance you were waiting for! Ange Postecoglou’s team came out strong in their Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory.
This win puts Spurs in the quarter-finals, where they’ll face Manchester United in December. After a tough match against Crystal Palace last weekend, this was exactly the bounce-back fans wanted to see.
Dejan Kulusevski, as usual, was at the heart of the action. The Swedish international was absolutely electric, and his brilliance shone right from the start. His precision pass across the box allowed Timo Werner to slot home the opening goal in style. It was a textbook example of Kulusevski’s vision and skill.
While Werner might have received applause for ending his recent goal drought, it was really Kulusevski who set the stage. Without his creative setup, that goal wouldn’t have happened. Just minutes later, he worked his magic again, delivering another assist with a short corner that paid off brilliantly.
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And he wasn’t done. Kulusevski then linked up with Pape Matar Sarr, setting him up for an unstoppable drive from outside the box. The goal celebration said it all—Kulusevski was fired up, shouting to the City fans in sheer excitement. His energy on the pitch was infectious, and his drive to push forward made it hard for City to contain him.
Although he didn’t manage to score himself, Kulusevski had an excellent chance early in the second half, only to be denied by a strong save from Stefan Ortega. Still, his overall performance was stellar. After a challenging game against Crystal Palace, this was exactly the kind of comeback he needed.
Coach Postecoglou has praised Kulusevski’s growth this season, saying, “There’s more to come.” That’s an exciting thought because, based on his current form, it’s clear that he’s just getting started. With performances like these, Kulusevski is on a mission to drive Tottenham towards a trophy this season.
The game wasn’t without its challenges. Spurs suffered an early setback when Micky van de Ven had to leave the pitch due to a hamstring injury. It was a hard moment for the young defender, who looked heartbroken as he walked off. Yves Bissouma, in a heartwarming gesture, left the bench to console him on his way to the tunnel.
In van de Ven’s absence, Destiny Udogie stepped up and put in a solid shift. He had some difficulties stopping Savinho’s cross that led to Manchester City’s goal just before halftime, but he bounced back and showed resilience in the second half.
Tottenham’s defense, with Archie Gray, Cristian Romero, Radu Dragusin, and Udogie, was tested by City’s relentless attack, especially after halftime. While Gray faced some struggles against the pace and skill of Matheus Nunes, he improved as the game went on, showing better control in possession.
Romero and Dragusin were pivotal in the build-up to Werner’s goal, coolly moving the ball out from the back. Romero had to be substituted early in the second half due to fatigue, which prompted concerns about another defensive injury. Still, Dragusin stood firm, putting on a commanding display at the back.
One standout moment came when Dragusin intercepted a City pass near the touchline with a towering header, right in front of Pep Guardiola. Postecoglou couldn’t hide his admiration, giving Dragusin a pat on the back as he jogged past the bench. It’s moments like these that demonstrate the Romanian defender’s importance to this team.
The subs also made a big difference. Bissouma came on in the second half to help control the game in midfield, replacing Sarr, who was on a yellow card. Bissouma himself picked up a booking soon after coming on but remained composed, even making a crucial goal-line block to prevent City from equalizing late in the game.
Veteran Ben Davies also delivered a strong defensive performance as City pushed for an equalizer, while Udogie offered both defensive solidity and a threat on the attack. Mikey Moore and Richarlison came on in the last 20 minutes and put in hard work to keep the pressure on City.
Richarlison even had a chance to seal the game in the 83rd minute after intercepting a wayward pass, but his shot lacked power and went straight to Ortega. His frustration was evident, knowing it was a big opportunity missed.
Thankfully, that miss didn’t prove costly. Tottenham held on for the win, and the fans celebrated a performance that felt like the perfect response to last weekend’s loss. It was a night filled with resilience and team spirit.
Tottenham fans can now look forward to the next round in December. Taking on Manchester United just before Christmas will be a chance to double up on the Manchester clubs. A win there would be an early holiday gift and could keep Tottenham’s cup dreams alive.
