Man City Lose At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium AGAIN As Cristian Stellini Delivers Win For Absent Antonio Conte
Tottenham 1-0 Manchester City
Manchester City's awful record at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium continued on Sunday as Pep Guardiola's men were beaten there for the fifth straight game.
Harry Kane fired Spurs in front in the 15th minute with his record-breaking 267th goal for the club.
Kane's goal was the result of a well-organized pressing move from Spurs.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who was later selected as the Player of the Match, intercepted the ball high up the pitch before setting up Kane for a first-time finish.
SEE MORE: Harry Kane Breaks Tottenham Scoring Record By Netting Goal No.267 Against Man City
Harry Kane pictured celebrating after scoring the 267th goal of his Tottenham Hotspur career
IMAGO/PA Images/John Walton
City came close to levelling in added time at the end of the first-half when Riyad Mahrez saw a fierce strike bounce back off the crossbar.
But that is as close as the visitors came to scoring their first ever goal at this stadium.
Tottenham had to play the final three minutes plus added time without defender Cristian Romero, who was sent off for receiving two yellow cards.
Spurs manager Antonio Conte was not in the dugout on Sunday.
Conte was at home recovering after undergoing gallbladder surgery earlier in the week.
Tottenham were therefore under the control of Conte's assistant manager, Cristian Stellini.
Tottenham Hotspur assistant manager Cristian Stellini pictured on the touchline during Sunday's game against Manchester City
IMAGO/PA Images/John Walton
Speaking before kick-off, Stellini confirmed that Conte had trusted him to take full control of team selection.
"We spoke about the team but he left me the decision because I managed training," Stellini told Sky Sports.
"It is very important in our methodology to look how the players are in the last two training sessions [before a match]."
Stellini has now taken charge of two Tottenham games this season and won them both.
The 48-year-old was also placed in control of the team for Tottenham's final Champions League group game when Conte was suspended.
Spurs won that game 2-1 away to Marseille in November.
Speaking to BBC Sport after Sunday's win over City, Stellini said: "Absolutely a great performance for all the team and all the staff.
"We knew it was a tough week without Antonio. Everyone forced themselves to another level. We are happy for them, for the club, for Harry and for Antonio as well.
"Antonio is far from us and he is not very well at the moment. He had to stay away from the game and stay calm but I've just spoken to him and he is very happy."
City's Wretched Run At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
This was City's fifth trip to Tottenham's new stadium, which officially opened in 2019, and they had lost on all of their previous visits.
In fact, City have still never scored a goal here.
City were the second away team ever to play a senior game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in April 2019 when a goal from Son Heung-min gave Spurs a 1-0 win in the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final.
Son was also on the scoresheet in each of Tottenham's next three home games against City, which ended 2-0, 2-0 and 1-0 in the London side's favor.
| Result | Competition | Date | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|
Tottenham 1-0 Man City | Champions League | April 2019 | Son |
Tottenham 2-0 Man City | Premier League | February 2020 | Bergwijn, Son |
Tottenham 2-0 Man City | Premier League | November 2020 | Son, Lo Celso |
Tottenham 1-0 Man City | Premier League | August 2021 | Son |
Tottenham 1-0 Man City | Premier League | February 2023 | Kane |
