Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur were shown up by runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City. The Premier League leaders won the match with ease in the end to a scoreline of 3-0. City’s easy win shows how far Tottenham have fallen off the pace.
Tottenham’s Fall From Grace as City Keep Charging Towards Title
Off the Pace
Earlier in the season. In the reverse fixture, Tottenham surprised everyone and claimed a 2-0 victory. The game was a Mourinho masterclass. City had more of the possession. Yet failed to break down a stubborn Tottenham.
The win put Tottenham top of the Premier League towards the end of November. With Tottenham backed for a Premier League title charge.
Both managers have different tactical ideas. With Jose Mourinho preferring to play defensively, while catching the other team on the counterattack. Pep Guardiola likes his team to have most of the ball. Controlling the tempo of the match.
Going into the match Guardiola was under pressure to turn around a struggling Manchester City. Although, the Cityzens played into the hands of Jose Mourinho as Spurs scrapped for every ball, keen to build momentum.
While Jose Mourinho’s defensive tactics worked in Tottenham’s first match with Manchester City this season. His has deployed similar tactics against Premier League teams with a lot less attacking quality than Manchester City which suggests that the Portuguese manager doesn’t trust his defenders. Therefore, Tottenham sits back, to avoid conceding goals.
However, this only starves Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son of chances in front of goal while giving the other team confidence, allowing them to create chances.
Manchester City in Total Overdrive Despite Key Absentees
Since Tottenham’s heroic win against City, the two clubs have swapped places, in terms of form and league position.
In their second Premier League meeting this season Tottenham looked a shadow of their former self.
Tottenham played with a lack of discipline. Hugo Lloris could have done much better to stop the first two goals going in.
While Ederson set up Ilkay Gundogan’s second goal. A passage of play usually seen on Sunday league football pitches.
Will Tottenham sack Jose Mourinho?
Jose Mourinho’s style of play is based on results. However, now Tottenham is out of form. The results are often negative, while the performances lack inspiration.
Tottenham’s progress has come to a stop. With one win in their last five games, Champions League football next season looks highly unlikely.
Outgunned by the teams above them in the league they occasionally steal a win against those lingering towards the bottom of the table.
Mourinho is also starting to show a likeness to his time at Manchester United. Where several players found themselves out of favour. Dele Alli and Gareth Bale are both struggling for game time. With neither player responding to Mourinho’s doubts.
However, there is one hope left for Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham. This is the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City in April. Although, Spurs will need to play significantly better if they are to beat Manchester City.
As the lack of trophies was a downfall of Mauricio Pochettino. Even with a mid-table finish winning the Carabao Cup would make Jose Mourinho a successful manager for Tottenham.
However, Jose Mourinho is not a project manager. Therefore, searching for a long-term replacement would be a wise move. Especially if Tottenham are to get the most out of their attacking talent in the years to come.
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