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Tottenham were twice pegged back by Italian side at home on Thursday night

Result sees Spurs drop out of the Europa League automatic qualification places

This Man City team is DONE and Pep Guardiola has been sleeping on the job - LISTEN NOW to It's All Kicking Off! New episodes every Monday and Thursday

After the thrilling raid on Manchester City, the prospect of a home fixture against dysfunctional Roma came with laced with peril for anyone familiar with the Tottenham script.

The Italians have been in disarray this season, summoning Claudio Ranieri from retirement to salvage their season and the presence of the architect of Leicester City's miracle in 2016 triggered awkward flashbacks in N17.

Spurs chased Leicester all the way that year and somehow finished up in third, and here was Ranieri back at the age of 73 to aggravate them all over again. This time with an equaliser crashed home from close range by Mats Hummels in stoppage time.

'Frustrating the way the game ended,' said Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou but he rejected the idea of making his team boring in pursuit of points 'Would you really prefer us to scratch out a few nil-all draws?

'I'd much rather we're exciting to watch. It's edge-of-the-seat and sometimes you don't get the reward. But if you want those games there's plenty in world football you can watch every week. I like to think if you tune in to see us, you'll get entertainment.'

It was frenzied and often fraught, with woodwork rattling and three Roma goals ruled out and it started badly for Hummels, the 35-year-old defender released by Borussia Dortmund at the end of last season and picked up by the Italian club as a free agent.

MATCH FACTS

Tottenham (433): Forster 6; Porro 7, Dragusin 6, Davies 6, Gray 6; Kulusevski 7.5, Bentancur 6 (Bergvall), Sarr 6.5 (Bissouma 69, 6); Johnson 7 (Maddison 69, 6), Solanke 6.5, Son 6.5 (Werner).

Subs: Austin, Whiteman, Bissouma, Maddison, Udogie, Bergvall, Werner, Olusesi, King, Williams-Barnett, Hardy.

Goals: Son 5 (pen), Johnson 33,

Bookings: Kulusevski, Bentancur,

Manager: Ange Postecoglou 6.5

Roma (343): Svilar 7; Mancini 6, Hummels 6, N'Dicka 6; Celik 5 (Zalewski 65, 6), Paredes 6.5, Kone 6, Angelino 7; Dybala 7 (Soule 46, 6.5), Dovbyk 6.5, El Shaarawy 6 (Saelemaekers 69, 6).

Subs: Marin, Ryan, Cristante, Pellegrini, Abdulhamid, Le Fee, Baldanzi, Saelemaekers, Zalewski, Pisilli, Sangare.

Goals: NDicka 20, Hummels 90+

Bookings: Paredes

Manager: Claudio Ranieri 6.5

Ref: Glenn Nyberg (SWE) 6.5

Att: 53,379

Hummels scored an own goal from the bench on his debut - a 5-1 defeat at Fiorentina - and did not play again under Ivan Juric, who was sacked in November after a dozen games in charge.

Here, on his first start for Roma, he conceded a penalty inside two minutes, late on Pape Matar Sarr who needed little encouragement to tumble over.

Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg waved the appeals away at first, only to be referred to his monitor by the VAR. Heung-min Son converted once the decision had eventually been confirmed.

Fraser Forster, making only his fifth appearance in 18 months, performed well and made his first save of the night from Paulo Dybala but was soon beaten by Evan N'Dicka, who glanced in a header off the bar from a from a free-kick.

The visitors thought they had the lead when Stephan El Shaarawy connected sweetly with a flick by Dybala and fizzed a volley into the net from just inside the penalty area. The ball was on the centre spot with both teams lined up to restart by the time the VAR check came through and the goal was ruled out for offside.

Angelino made a vital block on his own line to deny Brennan Johnson before the Spurs winger soon found the net in typical style, arriving at pace to rattle in his ninth of the season, a crisp finish to a low cross from Dejan Kulusevski.

Postecoglou's team were in control before half time and should have settled the tie during this period. Kulusevski hit a post, Son crashed the rebound over and was then denied by keeper Mile Svilar.

Tottenham broke four on two early in the second half without making it count. Hummels recovered to make a sliding challenge as Kulusevski took aim.

Roma were stronger in the second half. They had two more goals disallowed for offside in quick succession.

First Artem Dovbyk strayed a yard offside before his cross was tapped in by Manu Kone. Then a flag went up as Dovbyk applied the finish to a low cross from the right.

Pedro Porro deflected an effort by Angelino against the bar. Kone slid a good chance wide form the edge of the penalty box. Porro clipped the bar from a free-kick and Solanke headed against the bar before Roma generated pressure and a strong finish.

Forster made a fabulous reflex save from Gianluca Mancini but could do nothing to stop Hummels scoring from the corner which followed.

'Let's see how the season ends before saying it was the right decision to come out of retirement,' said Ranieri. 'I thought I could be travelling the world, but I knew in bottom of heart there were two teams who if they called I could not say no. Roma and Cagliari but I hoped they would never call because that would mean they needed me.'

Follow Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates from the two Europa League games involving English clubs as Manchester United take on Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford and Tottenham host Roma at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

Guglielmo Vicario faces months out of action after surgery on a broken ankle

Postecoglou has backed Fraser Forster to deputise in the Italian's absence

Liverpool correspondent LEWIS STEELE tells all on bombshell chat with Mo Salah - LISTEN NOW to It's All Kicking Off! New episodes every Monday and Thursday

Ange Postecoglou has backed England veteran Fraser Forster to fill Tottenham's goalkeeping void, claiming he won't expect him to transform into one of world football's pass masters.

'There's a misconception around that,' said Postecoglou when asked if Forster could adapt to the demands placed upon a modern keeper in a possession-based team.

'I do want to play out from the back but don't need my goalkeepers to be Maldini or Platini. In fact, the simpler they can keep it the better for me. I keep saying to the players, don't pass it to the goalkeepers, they've got the gloves on, they're the goalkeepers and you're the player.'

Forster, 36, has made only four appearances in 18 months but is needed by Spurs with Guglielmo Vicario out for months after surgery on a broken ankle, starting against Roma in the Europa League on Thursday.

Postecoglou ruled out signing a free agent as emergency cover and played down the idea of changing the club's transfer plans in January, because of his faith in Forster.

'It's not about their technical ability,' he added. 'Look at the way we play out from the back, and Joe Hart is a great example of that when he came to Celtic, it's about them executing really simple passes.

'They're actually quite good at it, all goalkeepers. It's more about mindset. Them not thinking what they're doing is risky, that's what it comes down to. I'm not asking them to ping 50 yarders. That's actually a harder skill.'

Vicario broke his right ankle in the first half of the 4-0 win at Manchester City on Saturday but stayed on until the end, before scans the next day confirmed a fracture that needed an operation.

'It's not going to be weeks, it'll be months,' said Postecoglou. 'He's had surgery and there's certain timelines. Because it is Vic, and I don't like giving timelines so early in a process like that because it puts undue pressure on the players and some expectations, but once we get past the rehab stage and he's getting out there we'll have a clearer idea.'

On the idea of picking up a free agent, he said: 'That's not going to happen.' And on plans for the January transfer market, he said: 'Any club that gets a significant injury in their goalkeeper kind of assesses where' they're at.

'It's not just another injury, but at the same time, it is just one injury. We've been dealing with setbacks for a while.

'January, we're always working towards the next window of what the best scenario is for us, and a lot of that will depend on where we're at from the squad perspective and the game's perspective. Just this injury doesn't change any plans for January.'

Spurs are without centre-halves Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert and Mikey Moore.

Will Lankshear is banned and cannot play against Roma after a red card against Galatasaray.

Rodrigo Bentancur, who is serving a seven-match ban in domestic football, can play in the Europa League.

Spurs possible 433: Forster; Gray, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Bergvall, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son.

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Jack Grealish was supported by his girlfriend Sasha Attwood and baby daughteer Mila as Manchester City played Spurs on Saturday.

The Manchester City player, 29, and his girlfriend welcomed their first child together in September.

And as Man City faced Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend, Sasha stepped out to support her beau with their newborn.

Taking to Instagram, Sasha shared a sweet snap of her in the VIP section of Etihad Stadium.

In the snap, Sasha was holding her daughter Mila - who was sporting an adorable Man City top with his dad Jack's number and name on it.

Jack was benched for the match against Spurs before being brought on at the 74th minute while Man City were 3-0 down.

But he was unable to help turn the game around for the team and the eventually lost 4-0 - their fifth consecutive defeat.

The couple announced on Instagram they had welcomed their first child together back in September.

They shared an adorable black and white snap of their newborn little girl, who they named Mila Rose Grealish.

She was sweetly wrapped up in a patterned baby grow and a knitted blanket as she slept peacefully while holding the attacking midfielder's finger.

Jack wrote: 'Mila Rose Grealish 27/09/24'.

The couple said that welcoming their little girl is 'the most special moment of their lives'.

Sharing the same photo, Sasha wrote: 27/09/24 Mila Rose Grealish. The most special moment of my life'.

The family appearance comes after Jack sent fans wild when he revealed he would 'love to do' I'm A Celeb in response to Ant and Dec trying to sign him up for next year.

The England footballer sent a video message to the excited hosts after they quizzed him about whether he would consider going Down Under.

In a video shared to Ant and Dec's official X account, Dec quipped: 'Jack Grealish. What do you think about Jack Grealish for next year?'

'I think Jack Grealish will be very very good,' admitted Ant, with Dec responding: 'I asked Jack Grealish whether he will do the show. I said people had been suggesting him and this is what he said.'

'Oh my God!,' replied Ant, as Dec held his phone up to reveal what the football star said.

Donning his Manchester City football kit, Jack said: 'Hey guys, Jack here. I've heard that a few of you guys want to see me in the Jungle. I can't lie, it is something that I'd absolutely love to do.

'It's a show that I've watched, you know, for years and years, since I was little. And yeah, a show that I love.

'I don't know how I'd get on in there. I don't think I'd be the best to be honest but yeah, I'd give it a go.'

He clarified: 'Obviously not this year - I don't think Pep would be too happy if I ended up in there this year. But you know, never say never, it could happen one day.'

After the clip ended, the I'm A Celeb production team errupted into cheers and Ant shouted: 'Oh my God! Jack Grealish. We love you Jack.'

Also pleased by his response, Dec went on to chant: 'We love you Grealish, we do. Oh Grealish, we love you.'

Pep Guardiola admitted that Manchester City are inside their own heads after the Premier League champions lost an unprecedented fifth straight game.

Tottenham stunned City 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium, with James Maddison netting a brace – a result that hands a major title advantage to Liverpool before they face Southampton on Sunday.

City go to Anfield next Sunday and could be 11 points behind Arne Slot’s leaders were they to lose again on Merseyside. It’s the worst run of form in Guardiola’s managerial career and City’s heaviest home defeat in 21 years.

‘In eight years we have never lived this kind of situation,’ Guardiola said. ‘Now we have to live it and break it by winning the next games, especially the next one. Now we see things in one way, maybe in a few weeks we see it differently.

‘We’re a bit fragile, that is obvious. We struggled to score and then we’re playing in our thoughts a little bit of negativity.

‘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 (in the Champions League) have the chance to try. Hopefully the players can follow me.’

Asked if the title has gone if they do slip 11 points behind Liverpool, Guardiola replied: ‘Yep. In terms of Liverpool winning, winning, yep.’

City also lost their 35-match unbeaten home record in the league and Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou claimed the visitors targeted Guardiola’s full backs to inflict maximum damage.

‘I thought if we got the ball out to them early… City are so aggressive in their approach, man to man,’ the Australian said. ‘Our build-up play today… we persisted in hitting those areas we needed to. We looked really threatening.

‘It is significant because they’ve got an unbelievable record at home. You can’t be blasé about it. We’ve reached these standards before but it’s about not dropping.’

City captain Kyle Walker blamed collective defensive issues for their slump – and attempted to issue a rallying cry ahead of Anfield.

‘It's a great game to turn it around and take three points from the team who sit above you,’ Walker said. ‘But we can't put in a performance like that or we'll get walked over.

‘I wouldn't say we've lost confidence together. You have to go back to the basics and get a clean sheet.’

Man City lost their fifth game in a row after Spurs beat them 4-0 at the Etihad

Saturday evening's defeat marked the longest losing streak of Guardiola's career

Will Ruben Amorim be Man United's saviour? LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Available wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes every Monday and Thursday

I didn’t read too much into Man City’s previous four defeats which were all away from home and partly down to fielding weakened teams or not taking their chances.

But Saturday night’s hammering at the Etihad by Tottenham is a massive wake-up call that Pep Guardiola has to take very seriously.

Even though City are becoming too reliant on Erling Haaland for scoring goals, their single biggest concern is how easy Spurs found them to play against.

When Pep is in his pomp, even his technical wizards like David Silva worked hard to shut down opponents. They were the best pressing team with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, opponents couldn’t get out against them.

I didn’t see any of that on Saturday. You didn’t need to be a genius to work out Rodri was going to be a huge miss but they’ve deteriorated defensively more than anyone would have forecast.

Spurs over-ran and outplayed City with ease. Some of City’s play was lazy. The way Ilkay Gundogan let James Maddison run off him to score was basic dereliction of duty and he wasn’t the only guilty one.

There are two factors. Firstly, City may collectively be in the comfort zone having won so much for so long. Secondly, the physicality looks off.

Kyle Walker is a good example. His game relies on being athletic and while it’s admirable he came back early from injury because the team needed him, he’s not at his usual levels.

I think Guardiola will want to work on how his team play without the ball ahead of next Sunday’s big game at Liverpool. No matter your creativity, you can’t survive at this level unless the ‘dirty’ side of the game, the tracking back and limiting space, is organised and adhered to.

You can see the City boss searching for answers. He’s been changing his defensive systems regularly. Even at half-time on Saturday he switched by moving Rico Lewis inside into central midfield and went to a 4-3-3 rather than a 4-4-1-1.

It’s also a concern that Haaland accounts for half the team’s goals. It’s time for others to step up. I’m more confident that Guardiola will be able to fix the attacking half of the conundrum provided Kevin De Bruyne gets up to speed. I was encouraged by how sharp the Belgian looked when he came on against Spurs.

A quick word about Tottenham’s James Maddison, when he plays like that there is no better English playmaker in the league. It’s up to him to maintain those standards.

Pep Guardiola's Man City side were humiliated at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening, losing 4-0 to Tottenham.

The visitors handed City their largest defeat since moving from Maine Road in 2003 and the joint-heaviest Guardiola has ever suffered.

Saturday night's loss was also the champions' fifth straight in all competitions - the longest run in Guardiola's 17-year managerial career - just days after he extended his contract until 2026.

On a night of firsts, the Spaniard may never have heard the chant 'You're getting sacked in the morning!' directed at him until this evening, as Spurs fans revelled their side's performance, who move up to sixth in the table.

The taunting song rang around the Etihad before many City supporters headed out of the stadium prior to the final whistle. Later, Brennan Johnson's 93rd-minute dagger almost emptied the ground of home fans.

James Maddison opened the scoring in the 13th minute, before adding another just seven minutes later, netting twice from close range.

In the 52nd minute, Pedro Porro neutralised any threat of a second-half bounce from City, converting a sublime cross to the back post from Dominic Solanke.

In stoppage time, Timo Werner pounced on a wayward pass before rolling the ball across to Johnson, who tapped it in from a yard out to put the nail in the coffin for the hosts.

Guardiola partly attributed his side's disappointing performance to his players' late return from the recent international break.

However, he recognised that they will quickly have to recover for their Tuesday night Champions League game against Feyernoord, which comes before a blockbuster clash in the league with table toppers Liverpool next Sunday.

'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,' he told Sky Sports.

'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.

'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 suffered a fifth consecutive defeat after a thumping 4-0 defeat by Tottenham at the Etihad.

In the first match since Pep Guardiola's contract renewal, the hosts started strongly but fell behind when James Maddison gave Tottenham the lead inside 13 minutes.

The England international then mounted more misery on City seven minutes later when he dinked Ederson after an exchange with Son Heung-min.

Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson then scored on either side of the second-half to ensure the champions miserable run of form continues.

Mail Sport's JACK GAUGHAN was on hand to see who shone and who shrunk...

MAN CITY (2-3-4-1)

Ederson – 6.5

Made two super saves which spared City blushes further. Ederson’s the only one who has remained consistent this year.

John Stones - 5

Probably didn’t get enough of a shout to cover James Maddison for the opener. Hooked at the break.

Manuel Akanji – 5.5

Not often Akanji appears flustered. Struggled to deal with the counter attacking Spurs offered.

Rico Lewis - 5

Cut an agitated figure in City’s midfield, booked for a while kick on Maddison. Probably needs a rest.

Ilkay Gundogan – 4.5

Looked like the game passed him by. Not quick enough to loose balls and seemed over-run in the No 6 berth.

Bernardo Silva – 6

Silva’s recently lost that little bit of ingenuity which usually makes him stand out. Another 6/10 which isn’t good enough for him.

Kyle Walker – 5.5

Can’t escape blame for failing to track Maddison’s run for the first. Given freedom down the right yet didn’t use it.

Phil Foden - 6

Trying to occupy dangerous spaces and up the tempo. Nothing really came off for him; a familiar theme.

Savinho – 5.5

Bright with no end product and the mistakes seem to weigh heavy on him as the game wore on.

Josko Gvardiol – 4.5

A real threat going forward but was partly culpable for both first-half goals on an evening he would rather forget.

Erling Haaland – 5.5

Plenty of opportunities and you might have expected him to leave with at least a couple of goals. Struck the bar.

Subs

Nathan Ake (for Stones, 46) – 6, Kevin De Bruyne (for Savinho, 74) - 6 , Jack Grealish (for Lewis, 74) - 6

Manager

Pep Guardiola - 5

TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1)

Guglielmo Vicario – 7

While City did create a number of good chances, Vicario was only really needed late on with two top stops.

Pedro Porro – 8

Lashed in the third goal expertly and galloped forward with abandon. Needed more defensive help early doors.

Radu Dragusin - 7

Hardly noticed the Romanian, which is to his credit. A watchful eye on Haaland at all times.

Ben Davies – 8

A makeshift centre half but flawless, didn’t even make a tackle all evening. He’s done that job here before.

Destiny Udogie – 7.5

Looked comfortable at left back and never overly worried by City’s attempts to double up on that side.

Yves Bissouma – 7.5

Cautioned within 14 seconds for hacking down Foden but recovered well afterwards, barely wasting a pass.

Pape Matar Sarr - 8

Held his defensive position intelligently in central midfield but was everywhere when balls were there to be won.

Dejan Kulusevski – 8.5

Always such a threat at the Etihad and mixed that direct running with guile to open City up.

James Maddison - 9

Superbly taken brace before half time. Took up unusual positions in and around the home box.

Son Heung-min – 7.5

Cute lay off to find Maddison for the second goal. Carried possession with purpose and deserved a goal.

Dominic Solanke – 7.5

Very unselfish work to hold up play to assist Porro for the third. Occupied both centre halves well throughout.

Subs

Brennan Johnson (for Son, 63) – 7, Timo Werner (for Maddison, 89), Lucas Bergvall (for Sarr, 90), Djed Spence (for Udogie, 90)

Manager

Ange Postecoglou – 8.5

James Maddison scored two goals inside the opening 20 minutes at the Etihad

Pedro Porro and sub Brennan Johnson then found the net in the second half

Will Ruben Amorim be Man United's saviour? LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Available wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes every Monday and Thursday

When all the five-in-a-row talk revolved around Premier League titles nobody doubted Manchester City. When it turned to the possibility of five defeats in a row well, that seemed a little far-fetched.

Four was a new low for Pep Guardiola. But then he signed a new contract and the serenity of his extended presence just as the red half of the city went back to the drawing board seemed as if it would simply soothe away the ills.

Besides, it was Tottenham next. Doctor Tottenham will see you now, as people like to joke but then again, the good doctor does not have the same effect on Guardiola. He has had trouble with them before and there was trouble again.

Not only a fifth defeat in a row, a third in successive Premier League games, but the champions were exposed by Spurs, who were slightly fortunate not to concede but might have scored even more than they did.

James Maddison on his 28th birthday struck twice in the first half and Pedro Porro scored the decisive third, soon after the interval before Brennan Johnson completed the rout in stoppage time, at full stretch to turn in a cross by Timo Werner.

City and their supporters were stunned. And rivals will view this as their chance, a vulnerable point at which they can strike and wrest the Premier League from their grasp. Liverpool will stretch eight points clear if they win at Southampton on Sunday.

Next weekend, Guardiola's wounded champions go to Anfield. They look exhausted. Perhaps at the end of their mental endurance. They are depleted by injuries. Without Rodri, Ruben Dias and more. With Kevin de Bruyne not at his best. And yet so are others. Tottenham came without six, including their first-choice centre halves.

They left not only with the points but with one of their great wins of the Premier League era, cause for celebration for Ange Postecoglou in his 50th Premier League game.

While City had lost their previous four, the first of them at Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, the visitors had been wobbling too, beaten at home by Ipswich on the previous outing. Maddison soon put them in control of this one, however, with two goals in seven first-half minutes.

His inclusion had been a slight surprise because it meant leaving out top scorer Johnson and shifting Dejan Kulusveksi wide when he had been so impressive in a central role.

But Maddison was the only Spurs starter who had not been away on international duty and looked fresh as he drifted in behind John Stones to score the first in the 13th minute, volleying in a teasing cross by Kulusevski, who had escaped Josko Gvardiol far too easily as he gathered a long ball out of defence.

City had started with an intense opening burst. No doubt inspired by positive vibes from Guardiola's contract extension and the elaborate pre-match tribute to Rodri who paraded his Balon D'Or trophy with his name in lights eight feet high across the centre of the pitch, like Elvis Presley had dropped in.

Yves Bissouma collected a yellow card in 12 seconds, a Premier League record. First giving the ball to Phil Foden then hacking him down from behind. It was a reminder of a recklessness he will need to quell with Rodrigo Bentancur banned for seven games.

And a reminder of how just fragile Spurs were at the back when conceding three in the first half at Galatasaray, when Bissouma had the job of shielding the back-up central defenders Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies. The trio were back together but resisted the early pressure. Davies blocked City's first effort of Erling Haaland's efforts and Guglielmo Vicario saved the next with a boot. Once ahead though, the visitors performed with more aggression and surety in their decisions.

Ederson produced a flying save with his fingertips to keep out curler from Heung-min Son destined for top corner before Maddison's second. Again, Gvardiol was at fault. This time guilty of a sloppy pass infield from City's left back area.

It went straight to Maddison, who exchanged passes with Son, picked up the return as he made his way through a congested penalty area and dinked a wonderful finish over Ederson as he dived at his feet.

Unease washed around the Etihad. They are not used to seeing their team so easily exposed and while Guardiola's team continued to create chances going forward, they were unlocked with rare ease as the contest rebounded freely from one end to the other.

Haaland fired over. Ederson denied Dominic Solanke. Vicario saved from Savinho. Bissouma fizzed one over the bar. Each time Spurs sprung on the turnover of possession they were straight at City's centre-halves.

There was no resistance in the area where they have become accustomed to Rodri's presence but there must be more to it than that. Once on top, Spurs looked sharper and hungrier. City, hesitant and unsure.

The next goal felt big, and Tottenham claimed it. Kulusevski carried the ball from inside his own half and overhit a pass for Solanke, who retrieved it, turned and found Porro charging forward from right back. Completely unmarked, he struck it first time, unerringly beyond Ederson.

Belatedly, City found a better rhythm. Haaland struck the bar from a tight angle and Porro deflected wide an effort by Gvardiol. Ederson produced a wonderful save to deny Kulusevski and Vicario kept out an effort from Gundogan before Johnson completed City's misery.

Five in a row, Feyenoord next in the Champions League and then Liverpool.

Jamie Redknapp has slammed a Manchester City star for their 'basic' defending during the first half of his side's game against Tottenham.

CIty were shell-shocked in the first half of the game, going into the break 2-0 down after a brace from James Maddison continued City's struggles and put them at risk of losing a fifth game in a row.

The first goal was telling of their issues, with Ilkay Gundogan failing to track Maddison, trying to pass him onto John Stones, who was already occupied and unable to get to the midfielder before he could score.

That was only the first goal of the game, with Ballon d'Or winner Rodri's absence still telling as he sits out the season with an ACL injury.

Meteo Kovacic has been deputising, but he too is now absent and will be out for around a month. Rico Lewis and Ilkay Gundogan was the midfield solution of choice against Tottenham, but that backfired in spectacular fashion.

And Redknapp took aim at Gundogan on Sky Sports during the half time break, slamming his defensive effort.

'Good play by Spurs, for 13 minutes they couldn't get the ball,' Redknapp said. 'Kulusevski is too strong, exquisite ball. Can you get the left foot on it?

'It doesn't matter if there's no Rodri, what Gundogan does here is really basic, it's so wrong, You have to match that run. When he passes him on it is too late. You have to go. That is part of being a central midfield player.'

Gundogan rejoined City in the summer from Barcelona having left the club a year prior on the back of captaining them to their Treble win of the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

But things haven't gone as swimmingly this season, with City five points behind Liverpool - a gap that could have stretched to eight by Sunday.

Rodri's absence has been highlighted, with the midfielder suffering an ACL injury in September and his season already over. With him in their side, City have lost 2.6 per cent of games since February 2023 compared to the 33.3 per cent lost without him before the Tottenham game.

Pedro Porro added a third in the second half to add to City's misery, which has continued after the international break despite Pep Guardiola penning a new contract.

The pending result means City will have lost their last five games in all competitions - a feat Pep Guardiola has never suffered before - which represents a crisis of sorts for the club.