Daily Star

Pep Guardiola admitted his Manchester City side are "fragile" after the Premier League champions were hammered 4-0 at home by Tottenham in the biggest upset of the season so far.

A brace from James Maddison and goals for Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson consigned the Citizens to their first defeat at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League since November 2022 against Brentford - ending their longest ever unbeaten run at home in all competitions (52 games).

And it marked the fifth loss in a row for City in league and cup - the first time in Guardiola's career that he has been on such a losing streak. With his side now five points behind league leaders Liverpool, who could extend that gap to eight points with a win at Southampton tomorrow and who welcome City to Anfield next weekend, the Spanish boss addressed his team's shocking run.

Guardiola told BBC Sport: "We are fragile at the moment, we could not defend properly. We started well, struggled to score and then conceded. Then situation is more difficult.

"I've been here as a player, maybe not as a manager, first three games at Barcelona we lost. The only chance we have is stay there. Last eight years the results have been there, it would be a mistake to change the approach.

"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.

"I don’t know what will happen this season, but not for one second will I not believe in these players. There is no team in the world that can sustain success for eight, nine, ten 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.

Guardiola, who is counting the cost of injuries to star midfielders Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne, the first of whom is out for the season and the latter a late substitute in the defeat against Spurs, said late returning players from international duty was also a problem, as he looked towards two huge games this coming week, firstly in the Champions League and then against Arne Slot's Liverpool.

He said: "I have to see the situation. The players came back late [from internationals]. There were a few reasons we're not able to be consistent. Now the balance is not in the right moment. But it happened. We have to do it, talk and on Tuesday against Feyenoord have the chance to try.

"Of course Rodri is important but we knew that for many months. But Stones can only play 45 minutes. Jack has been injured many times. Kevin, two months and five months. We have to come back and freshen our minds. The season is so long. Many things can happen.

"Before the game I didn't know what will happen today. So I don't know what will happen at Anfield. Everyone knows the situation is new for us. We struggled more without the ball. I don't know how many chances we created. Our game was there."

Manchester City lost ground in the Premier League title race after Tottenham Hotspur dismantled Pep Guardiola's side 4-0 at the Etihad.

After just 20 minutes, City found themselves 2-0 down, with Spurs midfielder James Maddison scoring a brace. City had a chance to take the lead, but striker Erling Haaland had his effort saved by the feet of Tottenham's Guglielmo Vicario.

In the second half, the game was effectively ended by Spurs full-back Pedro Porro, who scored on 52 minutes following a flowing Tottenham move to leave City shellshocked. And then in injury-time, Brennan Johnson added a fourth following some excellent work by Timo Werner.

The 4-0 defeat was City's fifth consecutive defeats in all competition and it leaves Guardiola and co sitting five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool - who could open up an eight point gap on Sunday if they beat Southampton.

And here are five huge problems City boss Guardiola needs to address if he wants to guide the club to a fifth consecutive Premier League title...

Advantage Liverpool

As things stand after the defeat to Spurs, Manchester City sit five points behind league leaders Liverpool, who face Southampton on Sunday afternoon. A win for Liverpool would see Arne Slot's side move eight points clear of the reigning Premier League champions, setting up a huge clash next weekend when Guardiola and co travel to Anfield to take on the Reds.

Lose at Anfield and that could be City's title defence over. Liverpool would be 11 points clear with a win over City, opening up a gap that could potentially be insurmountable. We've seen City win the title when it goes down to the wire and another team are forced to match them stride for stride.

However, the last time they didn't win the league was the 2019/20 season, when Liverpool set off at such a blistering pace City couldn't catch them - something which could end up being repeated this term if they can't beat the Reds next weekend.

Manchester City need to spend in January

In the summer, Manchester City signed Savinho and Ilkay Gundogan. In January, they need to spend more money if they want to win their fifth consecutive Premier League title.

The absence of Rodri for City this season is glaringly obvious. He is the best holding midfielder in the world. But they could also do with another attacker to add some goals to their frontline, so they're not totally reliant upon Erling Haaland. They need to sign a holding midfielder, and they probably should look to bring in a wide forward too.

Speaking of one of those two summer signings...

What on earth has happened to Ilkay Gundogan?

Ilkay Gundogan looks a shell of himself. Back in 2023, he departed a treble winning captain after lifting the Champions League following Manchester City's win over Inter Milan in Istanbul.

He spent a season in Barcelona, where he play 51 games and then played at the European Championships with Germany before returning to City. And all those minutes really look to have taken their toll on the 34-year-old. Gundogan is not an aggressive midfielder, and alongside Rico Lewis, City are not winning any physical battle.

The German is not a bad player and still has a part to play for City this season. But it does seem strange that after a huge season last term in which he played so many minutes that Pep Guardiola decided to bring Gundogan back to the Etihad - and give him such an important role.

Defensive issues continue

Yet again, Manchester City failed to keep a clean sheet. In their last 13 games, the defending Premier League champions have kept just three of them. The teams they kept them against? Southampton, Sparta Prague and Slovan Bratislava.

Any time a team counter City, they look vulnerable. Against Spurs, the scoreline could have been much worse. Clearly, they have players of supreme talent capable of getting into any team in the world.

But right now they look easy to play against. City don't look capable of suffocating teams like they have in previous seasons. They look ponderous on the ball, and weak at the back whenever a team attack them - hardly a recipe for success.

Where are all the goals?

Cast your minds back to the opening few weeks of the Premier League season. Erling Haaland was on a goalscoring tear and was bound to break more records this season. However, in recent weeks - or rather month - the goals have dried up for City.

Pep Guardiola's side have not scored more than one goal in a game since October 23, when they beat Sparta Prague in the Champions League. This season, Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic are their second and third top scorers.

City look way off the pace right now and they're not scoring goals - and if you're not scoring enough goals, you simply can't win games. With Haaland currently blowing hot and cold, City need the likes of Phil Foden, Savinho, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish to produce, something which they haven't in recent weeks.

Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur faces a seven-game ban over comments about his captain Son Heung-min.

The Uruguayan midfielder was filmed last June in a shocking social media clip. In a Spanish interview, he said that South Koreans "all look the same." The interview was broadcast on the Uruguayan TV programme 'Por La Camiseta."

During the interview, Bentancur was asked by the host if he could get him a Spurs player's shirt. The midfielders responded with, "Sonny's?" He then continued to say that "It could be Sonny's cousin too as they all look the same."

The FA had confirmed earlier this year that Bentancur had been charged with an "aggravated breach" of their rules. Bentancur later apologised on his Instagram saying that is what a "very bad joke."

The South Korean forward accepted his team-mate's apology, saying: "He made a mistake, he knows this and has apologised. Lolo [Bentancur] would not mean to ever intentionally say something offensive. We are brothers and nothing has changed at all.

"We're past this, we're united, and we will be back together in pre-season to fight for our club as one." Chelsea ace Enzo Fernandez meanwhile was not sanctioned for racist and anti-gay chanting that were filmed while he was on international duty.

The derogatory songs were aimed at the French football team and performed when his Argentinian side were at the Copa America. Although FIFA had said that "the incident was being looked into," the FA decided not to investigate the chants.

If FIFA are to find any wrongdoing, and Fernandez faces match bans, these will only apply to Argentina and not Chelsea. The Chelsea player did apologise for what he had done and proceeded to donate to an anti-discrimination charity.

Football fans have been reacting to the news on X with one user saying: "Nearly double John Terry's for abusing Anton Ferdinand and 7 more than Enzo Fernandez for his part in singing racist songs."

Another commented: "[Luis] Suarez got a lesser ban for biting someone and Enzo Fernandez got away with it," and a third said: "Enzo Fernandez really is a lucky c***, isn't he? How the hell has he not been banned as well?"

A fourth poster commented: "Why has bentancur been punished but enzo fernandez not?" And another said: "My issue with it is Enzo Fernandez should be getting something or it’s not fair or consistent."

Football stadium food - often referred to as 'footy scran' - is always a hot topic among fans, especially when visiting a new ground for the first time.

This was certainly true for several Tottenham Hotspur supporters who were left feeling disappointedly hungry in Hungary after rejecting the menu at their Europa League opponents Ferencvaros, earlier this month. The Budapest club's version of cheese and onion toast was a far cry from the fare back home at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which opened its doors in April 2019.

There, supporters can tuck into pie with mash and gravy or a beef lasagne with garlic bread and rocket salad at half time for a fair London price. Away from home, however, despite being more than reasonably priced at 400 Hungarian Forint (around 85p), the Hungarian dish offered little to appease the hunger pangs of those who took the two-and-a-half hour flight.

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In a photo shared by X account, Sports Scran (@SportScran) and captioned with a translation of "greasy bread", a Spurs fan's card container could be seen with a barely toasted slice of bread, melted cheese and several hastily chopped slices of red onion.

Thankfully, Spurs went on to win the match 2-1 thanks to goals from Brennan Johnson and Pape Matar Sarr, but it seems the food on their travels left an unwanted lasting impression. Scores took to X to slam the "delicacy", with many confessing they'll never criticise food back in Britain again.

"Did a five-year old make this? " one puzzled punter questioned. "Hungarian food is too funny," chuckled another, adding: "This is what my Hungarian friend gave me last year. He said it's a Hungarian delicacy."

A third critic lashed out: "It's crazy how some places just don't understand food." A fourth quipped: "Wouldn't eat this if I was starving in a zombie apocalypse." Meanwhile, a Hibernian supporter from Scotland couldn't resist a dig either: "Will never complain about the a**e collapsing out a steak pie at Easter Road again."

Others, however, suggested the plate may have some use as a beer-absorbing miracle: "Plenty will mock this, but it'll save your life at the eighth pint," one X user joked, while another admitted: "I'd scran that. Really soak up the beers."

A third chimed in praising the snack: "Sorry to say but that's scran. For that price? Those simple yet unmistakable flavours? You could do so much worse." And a bargain-hunting fourth person agreed: "I'd take four for that price."

In contrast, over at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, reviews keep rolling in with a solid 4.5 out of 5 TripAdvisor score from over 800 visitors. Fans rave about the grub and service, with one visitor left gushing after their trip: "The Beavertown Neckoil is outstanding, a truly lovely pint."

They continued: "Really enjoyed the Margarita pizza, for commercial catering this was very tasty, really enjoyable. And highly recommended. Staff are all very friendly and helpful. Recommend you arrive well before kick off and enjoy the food and drink."

The name's Popescu, Gheorghe Popescu.

Tottenham fans might not remember their Romanian defender as being football's answer to James Bond. However, before he rocked up on these shores, the defender was employed as a spy - tasked with snitching on team-mates.

While on the up at first club Universitatea Craiova, Popescu, who turned 57 on Wednesday (October 9), acted as an informant on his team-mates who were feared to be a defection risk as they were regularly playing European football in the late 1980s.

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Shaken but not stirred, he originally denied helping the secret police, who were under the regime of dictator Nicolae Ceacescu - but he later admitted to signing a document promising to 'defend the national interests’.

There was little choice but to cooperate for Popescu. He was one of 700,000 informants in the eastern European nation at that time, which equated to 4% of the population.

Once communism fell in Romania in 1989, Popescu was able to spread his wings, heading to PSV Eindhoven where he spent four years. He'd turned down a move to Real Madrid in favour of venturing to the Netherlands, and later joined their rivals Barcelona from Tottenham in a £3million deal in 1995.

It was during his solitary season at White Hart Lane that English fans might best remember him. However, in his home country he became infamous after retirement.

In 2014, he was back in the headlines a decade later when he and seven others were convicted by a Romanian appeals court of money laundering and tax evasion, in connection with the transfer of football players.

Popescu was sentenced to a jail term of three years and one month but was released after 18 months in November 2015 for good behaviour.

The 57-year-old has returned to football, though, and he is chairman of Liga 1 side Farul Constanta, where his son Nicolas plays.

A model famed for having two vaginas recently announced her love for Spurs and has now made a very bold prediction.

Annie Charlotte, 25, caused a stir after going to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a mini dress last month. She later pledged her loyalty to the north London club.

But the social media star - and her two sets of private parts - have now spoken to the Daily Star about what is in her mind’s eye.

She said: “I want Spurs fans to know I’m just as big a fan as they are and I’m with Spurs all the way. Me and my two vaginas are feeling good about this season.

“We’re going to get a trophy - just watch. I said this when I watched the Brentford game. I was like, 'we’re going to win this'. You just have to say we’re going to win and you’ve got to manifest that win.”

Her encouraging words will be welcome news for Ange Postecoglou (we assume he will be reading this) who looked perplexed after his side gave up a two-goal lead to lose to Brighton last time out.

Annie said she was “absolutely gutted” at the defeat after being “convinced” the club would win every single game from now until May.

However, the content creator, who earns a living from OnlyFans, is expecting the team to bounce back with a win against West Ham after the international break.

Her favourite players are Mickey van de Ven and Heung-min Son and she is also predicting Brendan Johnson to score his seventh goal in seven matches.

Annie said a lot of her pals are Spurs mates and she went to the Brentford match after one of her mates invited her.

Reflecting on her experience, she said: “Oh my god, it was so much fun. I had the best time ever. It was such a laugh but also really exciting.

“It was incredible and I knew right then I had to see more games. Now I want to go to every single match because I’m completely obsessed.

“I’ve been watching every game from home ever since and honestly it felt like fate. Seeing them win during my first ever football match made think - this is my team.

“I felt like a good luck charm and the whole experience of going to a live football match was insane - the atmosphere, the energy - and it is something everyone should experience.”

Annie was born with two uteruses and cervixes and was diagnosed with uterus didelphys after getting the contraceptive coil fitted at 16. It means she could theoretically conceive two babies at the same time and she said both vaginas are “functional” and she has two periods.

It's been almost two years since Tottenham winger Steven Bergwijn missed an absolute sitter in an FA Cup victory over Brighton and let the world see his shockingly bad tattoo.

Luckily his miss didn't impact the result with Spurs claiming an impressive 3-1 win in North London. Unsurprisingly Harry Kane starred for the hosts, who were later eliminated in the fifth round by Championship side Middlesbrough.

The 2021-22 season was full of ups and downs for the Lilywhites, with the club sacking then-manager Nuno Espirito Santo after just a few months in charge and replacing him with Antonio Conte. It was also Bergwijn's final season in a Spurs shirt, with the Dutchman - who turns 26 today, Tuesday, October 8 - making 32 appearances.

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One of those came in that cup game against Brighton and it wasn't his miss that attracted headlines at full-time. Instead, fans were quick to point out a previously unseen tattoo on the inside of his thigh that was snapped by a photographer.

The tattoo read: "BLOOD THICKER THEN WATER." Given English isn't his first language Bergwijn can be forgiven for his poor grammar, but the tattoo artist doesn't have an excuse for confusing 'then' with 'than'.

Several supporters mocked the ink online, with one saying: "Finding out Bergwijn has a tattoo spelt wrong on his thigh has made my day."

“I will never be able to look at Bergwijn again without thinking about the typo on his tattoo,” added another. One user joked on Reddit “If blood too thick then add water. It's just a reminder to hydrate."

The mistake still haunts him to this day, with the 26-year-old now playing in Saudi Arabia for Al-Ittihad, alongside the likes of Karim Benzema, Fabinho and N'Golo Kante. When you miss an easy chance, probably best not to pull your shorts up Steven.

The day after Tottenham Hotspur smashed Manchester United 3-0 - the club trolled darts sensation Luke Littler on social media.

Tagging Littler, Spurs revealed the Premier League Darts champion had followed them on X, before adding: “Ooop (eyes emoji) You finally seen the light @LukeTheNuke180?”

The north London club accompanied the cheeky post with a picture of James Maddison and Son Heung-min doing the iconic darts throw celebration.

One fan replied: “Admin has been cooking in the last two games and I’m loving it.”

A second wrote: “After we beat United (his boyhood club) too.”

Littler, 17, has followed Man United his whole life and grew up in neighbouring Warrington, and has even met current stars Harry Maguire and Christian Eirksen to take them on in a darts challenge.

But despite his allegiance being the Red Devils, the kebab-loving teenager has flirted with Tottenham ever since his rapid rise to fame, and below we look at the unlikely bromance.

Littler grabbed the attention of the sporting world aged 16 when he went on an unforgettable run at the World Darts Championship last year.

He managed to get all the way to the final, and during the tournament he impressed Spurs midfielder and darts fan James Maddison.

After beating Raymond van Barneveld 4-1 to reach the last-16 at All Pally, the England player invited Littler to the nearby Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

He allowed the youngster to take a break from darts to watch Spurs play Bournemouth in his exclusive box.

Posting pictures on Instagram on New Years Eve, Littler said: “Nice chilled day at the Spurs vs Bournemouth game today thanks to James for letting me in today, nice to get some time of (sic), last 8 tomorrow.”

Maddison also shared a picture with his 2million followers, saying: “16 years old. After a few tips from myself on his throw & action/rhythm, I think he might have a half decent career. Good luck in the quarter final young man. COYS.”

The match was a good one for Tottenham who ended up as 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Pape Sarr, Son Heung-min and Richarlison.

Littler later went to watch another Spurs game last season - but this time it was in the director’s box at Old Trafford to see United draw 2-2 with Tottenham.

And speaking about the game, he said: “Unbelievable, I met Sir Alex Ferguson and got him to sign my top for me. I had a chat with him and I was with Tommy Fury as well.

“It was good to get me in a quite good seat and I actually wore some decent clothes for once, instead of just tracksuit.”

And speaking about his dream, he added: “Hopefully, I can win the world championship or even a major trophy this year - one of the fix or six majors that are on offer - and take it to Old Trafford.”

Littler never replied to the recent Spurs tweet - suggesting his loyalties will remain in Manchester for many years to come.

James Maddison is seriously unlucky to be the odd one out at Tottenham following the latest batch of international call-ups.

While Dominic Solanke, back in the England fold for the first time in seven years, is among four Spurs forwards selected by their respective countries this month, Maddison is once again conspicuous by his absence.

And former England and Tottenham ace Darren Anderton believes that is harsh on the Three Lions midfielder, who has been in the international wilderness since being axed before last summer’s European Championships.

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The crucial lynchpin in Tottenham’s five-match winning streak, Maddison, on current form, is second only to Chelsea’s prolific Cole Palmer, according to Anderton - and therefore fully warrants a place in Lee Carsley’s squad.

The ex-White Hart Lane winger, capped 30 times by England from 1994 to 2001, declared: “I love watching him. Maddison has been outstanding in these fast few games, the real key for us.

“He should definitely be back in the England squad. He’s different class. Players should be picked on form and he’s right up there at this moment with the best - behind only Palmer, like everybody is!

“The way he plays is so entertaining, he’s always trying to make things happen in the final third, trying to create openings and opportunities for others. Maddison is that player for us.

“He can do it all. Whether it’s a shot, a cross from outside the box or a cute little pass inside the area. He’s a joy to watch.

“You can see the confidence in him now. He wants the ball off the back four, he plays all types of passes. And he also works hard. He’s a team player.”

If Maddison is pulling the strings for Ange Postecoglou’s side, no question it is Brennan Johnson, supported by £65million record summer signing Solanke and Swede Dejan Kulusevski, providing a ruthless cutting edge up front, one which was sorely missing earlier in the campaign.

Last month Wales winger Johnson decided to delete his Instagram account because of the vile abuse and criticism being aimed at him amid a patchy opening few months at the club.

And the 23-year-old former Nottingham Forest man has responded in fabulous fashion by rattling five goals in as many games for the red-hot North Londoners ahead of Sunday's trip to Brighton.

Anderton, a huge favourite on the flanks during more than a decade in N17, has nothing but praise and admiration for Johnson’s extraordinary transformation.

“I struggled when I came first to this club but never had to deal with something like that. It’s not nice. Nobody deserves that sort of thing,” said the former-Portsmouth, Birmingham and Bournemouth playmaker, 51.

“I’m so delighted he’s turned it around. He’s a young kid, at a new club, and there werethese questions about his final ball and decision making.

“But whenever I watch him, he’s so positive, always going beyond his marker.

“That’s horrible to play against and so refreshing for our centre forward Solanke. You need wingers like Brennan.”

Tottenham is cracking down on their own supporters for vile homophobic chanting during their thumping win over Manchester United.

The chant, aimed at new hero Dominic Solanke, featured homophobic lyrics aimed at Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

As Spurs trounced United 3-0 at Old Trafford, Solanke netted the final goal, but what should've been pure elation was tainted by the chant. Spurs have since released a statement on the chanting: "The Club is aware of abhorrent homophobic chanting from sections of our away support at Old Trafford today.

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"This is simply unacceptable, hugely offensive and no way to show support for the team.

"The Club will be working closely with the Police and stewards to identify anyone instigating or joining in with the chanting - we shall take the strongest possible action in accordance with our Sanctions and Banning Policy.

"Supporters in attendance today can report anything they’ve seen or heard in confidence to supporterservices@tottenhamhotspur.com. We shall be continuing our work with our LGBTQ+ supporters’ association, Proud Lilywhites, to ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans on matchdays.

"We are justly proud of our superb and loyal support, home and away. However, we all have a responsibility to act as ambassadors of Tottenham Hotspur and discrimination of any kind has no place at our Club."

Proud Lilywhites were heartened by the probe and the club's firm statement. They issued a reminder regarding the effects of homophobic chants: "Loved what happened on the pitch at Old Trafford; didn't love the homophobic chanting off the pitch. Dom deserves better and as for the other one."

They reinforced their belonging within the Spurs community through their statement which conveyed: "We're all Spurs fans just like you. When you sing these songs you're telling us we don't belong; and we do-as much as you do."