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On Saturday evening, Tottenham Hotspur locked horns with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, for the return of club football, after the final international break of 2024.

For the task at hand, Ange opted for a line up of; Vicario; Porro, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison; Kulusevski, Solanke, Son.

Famous night up at the Etihad Stadium for Tottenham Hotspur

Within literally the first 15 seconds of the game, Bissouma found himself in the book for a foul on Foden, in what will have been very frustrating for Ange in particular.

There was barely five minutes on the clock when Haaland found himself in space for the first time, but he set himself poorly and Davies was able to block the ball and send it behind. A let off in any case.

Around 11 minutes in, Haaland had another presentable opportunity, with Vicario saving well with his outstretched foot from the strikers left footed effort that was heading into the bottom corner.

However, just a couple of minutes later, with Spurs' first real attack of the game, they would take the lead. An absolutely superb, delicate, inswinging cross from Kulusevski found Maddison inside the box, who stabbed the ball home first time, having made a brilliant run to get there.

We had played around 18 minutes when Son had his first shot of the game, as his trademark curling effort from the left hand side had to be tipped behind by Ederson.

Within barely a minute, Spurs had two. A high turnover found the ball with Maddison, who played the ball to Son. The skipper feigned to cut inside, before scooping a deft ball back to Maddison, who kept his cool to lift the ball over Ederson, making it two for him and two for Spurs.

After 28 minutes, Solanke shrugged off Walker to get a shot off, forcing another save from Ederson in the City goal, as Spurs looked to have joy in transitional moments. The final 15 minutes of the half were much of a muchness, and Spurs would go into the break two goals to the good.

Seven minutes into the second half, and they were three to the good. A counter attack ended up with Solanke having the ball wide in the penalty area, as he patiently held onto the ball, waiting for runners. That runner would come in the form of Porro, who smashed the ball into the top corner from Solanke's lay off to make it 3-0.

It would not be fair to go without mentioning Kulusevski's part in the goal. Incredible ball carrying to get away from his markers, before playing a give and go with Son and releasing Solanke in behind. Incredible work from an incredible player.

We had played about an hour when Bissouma was caught on the ball in his own box, resulting in a strike from Haaland, whose effort kissed the crossbar on its way over. Let off from Spurs and Bissouma's point of view.

Three minutes later, Son was replaced by Johnson, as Ange manages the captain's minutes. He did not get his usual goal against City, but did provide a superb assist for Maddison.

Very shortly later, Solanke did absolutely superbly on the break to hold off a challenge and find Kulusevski, who managed to shift the ball back onto his left foot, before seeing his effort saved by Ederson.

With just over 15 minutes left, De Bruyne and Grealish entered the pitch - in case anyone thought it may have been game over.

Soon after, Gundogan found himself unmarked in the six yard box, but his shot was fortunately from an angle, and beaten away by Vicario, with Spurs dealing with the subsequent corner well, eventually winning a free-kick.

Not long later, Haaland had his most presentable opportunity since the first half, after a one-two with De Bruyne, but Vicario was again equal to it and kept it out.

With a minute of normal time remaining, Maddison was replaced by Bergvall. An incredible birthday for the midfielder, with two goals and a win at the Etihad. In the same window, Spence and Werner replaced Udogie and Sarr.

The absolute icing on the cake came in stoppage time. Werner burst down the left side, playing a ball across goal that was tapped home by Johnson from all of a half yard out. Spurs pull off an incredibly historic 4-0 win at the Etihad. COYS.

Later on this afternoon, Spurs will take to the field as they face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium for match day of the 24/25 Premier League season.

Weirdly, City come into this game having lost four games in a row for the first time under Pep Guardiola. The first of those four games of course being against Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last month. However, in this international break, Pep Guardiola has extended his contract at the club, with the clarity potentially being able to give them a boost on the pitch.

As for Spurs, they come into this game with many absentees. Micky van de Ven’s injury in the aforementioned Carabao Cup tie against City will keep him sidelined here, and likely for the next few games as well. Cristian Romero has not recovered from the foot injury he suffered on international duty with Argentina, and Wilson Odobert has had hamstring surgery.

How both teams are lining up for this evening's showdown

Therefore, Ange Postecoglu has opted for the following starting XI; Vicario, Porro, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison; Kulusevski, Solanke, Son.

The skipper scored two goals with South Korea on international duty during the break, and Spurs will need him to be at his absolute best if they are to have a proper chance in this game. Johnson grabbed a goal for Wales, and his pace in behind will be key in this game.

In midfield, Kulusevski was at his absolute best during the Carabao Cup win over City, and comes into this game after a really productive international break with Sweden. The 24-year old scored the equaliser in this fixture last season, and scored + assisted in this fixture in 21/22, where Spurs won the game in stoppage time.

However, based on the graphics, he does appear to be on the right-wing for this one, which is a shame. Either that, or it is Maddison off the left and Son off the right.

Elsewhere, Udogie’s role with Italy during the break was limited to two substitute appearances, giving him some much needed rest, and we will hopefully see the rewards of that this evening. That too, with Solanke, who played 15 minutes during the break - the striker had looked tired beforehand, so that should have done him some good.

As for Manchester City, Pep has opted for a line up of; Ederson; Walker, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Lewis, Gundogan, Silva; Savio, Haaland, Foden.

Despite being back in training this week, De Bruyne and Grealish are only named on the bench. Spurs fans will no doubt in particular be relieved at seeing De Bruyne on the bench, though we know what he can do even in a cameo.