Tottenham continued its flying begin to the Premier League season beneath new coach Thomas Frank as Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha secured a formidable 2-0 victory at Manchester City on Saturday (August 23, 2025).
It was a day to neglect for City goalkeeper James Trafford.
Spurs scored 4 with out reply at City final season and this time celebrated a 2-0 triumph as on-loan Palhinha capitalised on a mistake by dwelling debutant Trafford shortly after Johnson had opened the scoring.
Tottenham deserve the plaudits however a lot of the post-match evaluation will encompass goalkeeper Trafford, who returned to the Etihad Stadium this summer season in a $36.5 million transfer from Burnley.
Johnson’s opener was onerous to forestall however Trafford may have been despatched off for a careless problem on Mohammed Kudus earlier than his big error allowed Palhinha to attain in first half stoppage time.
Ederson, again from sickness, watched from the bench as hypothesis about his future and City’s potential transfer for Paris St Germain star Gianluigi Donnarumma rumbles on.
In a troublesome day for the house facet, latest signing Rayan Ait-Nouri was injured and had to get replaced by Nathan Ake halfway by way of the primary half.
Shortly afterwards Tottenham discovered the web. Pape Matar Sarr’s flicked header put by way of Richarlison, who burst free and despatched throughout a low ball for Johnson to slam dwelling.
Initially dominated out for offside in opposition to the Brazil worldwide, the purpose was ultimately awarded and the VAR’s overview sparked wild celebrations in the away finish.
City spiralled from that time, with Trafford foolishly passing quick in his personal field to Nico Gonzalez, who had Sarr on his again.
The ball went unfastened to Richarlison after which reached Palhinha to drive dwelling Spurs’ second.
