Tottenham vs. Manchester City: Score and Reaction from 2015 Premier League Match

Manchester City suffered their second Premier League defeat in succession as Tottenham Hotspur came from behind to deal the champions elect a humbling 4-1 thrashing at White Hart Lane.

Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, but goals from Eric Dier, Toby Alderweireld, Harry Kane and Erik Lamela secured all three points for Spurs.

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In an open, entertaining first half, it was actually the visitors who started the brighter, with Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure looking a real threat against Spurs’ shaky back line.

And it wasn’t long before City made their dominance count. In a flowing counter-attacking move, Toure played in De Bruyne inside Dele Alli, and the Belgian made no mistake with a composed finish across the body of Hugo Lloris.

De Bruyne's astronomical transfer fee has brought him under the microscope since his switch from Wolfsburg, but his 25th-minute strike showed exactly what he brings to the party.

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City looked good value for their 1-0 lead as the clock ticked toward the 45-minute mark, although it was clear that chances were going to come Tottenham’s way.

And one duly did right on the stroke of half-time. Kyle Walker was played in down the right, albeit in an offside position, and after his cross was smartly saved by stand-in goalkeeper Willy Caballero, De Bruyne inexplicably played the ball to Dier, who lashed it home from 25 yards.

The finish was nothing short of spectacular, yet Spurs had De Bruyne to thank for their ticket back into the game in the form of that wayward pass. H4TV sport analyst Benjamin Wills reflected on the Belgian’s gaffe:

That gave Tottenham some all-important momentum, and when the players came out for the second period, you got the sense the White Hart Lane nets would be rippling again before too long.

And indeed they did, but through a very unlikely source with 50 minutes on the clock.

Lamela delivered a pinpoint cross onto the head of Alderweireld, who nodded the ball home into an unguarded Manchester City goal with Caballero in no man’s land.

The Spanish stopper replaced the injured Joe Hart between City’s posts on Saturday and had a big chance to impress, but his poor judgement didn’t exactly win any plaudits. Phil McNulty of BBC Sport and football writer Miguel Delaney commented on Cabellero’s clumsy exploits:

Then came a moment Tottenham fans have been patiently waiting for all season: Kane broke his 2015/16 Premier League duck.

Christian Eriksen’s rasping free-kick came back off the angle of bar and post, and Kane was Johnny-on-the-spot to send home the rebound—ending a 640-minute drought, according to Squawka:

From then on, the hosts were in party mode, and with 11 minutes left, Lamela put the result beyond doubt with a well-taken fourth.

Clinton Njie did brilliantly to play the Argentinian in on goal before he toyed with Cabellero and slotted the ball into the net.

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Lamela’s goal capped a fantastic second-half performance from Spurs, as they moved up to fifth in the table in style.

City’s second slip-up in succession against London opposition will be very concerning for Pellegrini and co. In fact, the 4-1 defeat is the biggest they've suffered since the club’s big-money takeover in 2008, per Eurosport UK:

The day went from bad to worse for City, as Manchester United's 3-0 win over Sunderland saw the Red Devils leapfrog their bitter rivals at the top of the Premier League tree.

Pellegrini’s men face a tough-looking trip to face Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League on Wednesday, and unless things drastically improve, the club’s European woes will continue.

Reaction to follow.