Tottenham Hotspur delivered their finest performance of the season to thrash Manchester City 4-0 in Saturday’s Premier League encounter at the Etihad Stadium.
Spurs went to the home of the four-in-a-row Premier League champions on the back of a shock 2-1 loss to Ipswich Town and missing their two first-choice centre-backs.
Although Man City were favourites on paper, Tottenham gave a performance for the ages as they made a mockery of the hosts on their own patch.
James Maddison opened the scoring on 13 minutes following a wonderful delivery from Dejan Kulusevski.
The England international then added a second seven minutes later, dinking the ball over Ederson after good interplay with Son Heung-min.
Maddison’s efforts saw him break two Premier League records – on his birthday, no less.
Then, Tottenham wrapped up all three points in the 53rd minute when Dominic Solanke teed up Pedro Porro to curl home a powerful effort past the Man City stopper.
Finally, three minutes into stoppage time, Brennan Johnson ghosted in at the back post to tap home Timo Werner’s cross and wrap up a historic win.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville could barely believe what he was seeing as he sung the praises of two Spurs players during the game.
Gary Neville hails Tottenham duo Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison
Neville said on Sky Sports after Maddison’s opener: “Out of nowhere!
“Maddison runs in and Stones has a problem – the ball is between Walker and Stones. It is brilliant from Kulusevski.”
Then, after the playmaker scored his second, Neville said: “James Maddison, that is absolutely wonderful!
“The control with the right, the dink with the left is a thing of beauty. That is a brilliant goal.”
Towards the end of the game, Neville said: “It has been a spectacular day. I don’t think any of us expected this.”
How Alasdair Gold rated Maddison and Kulusevski
Football.london gave both Maddison and Kulusevski a rating of 9 out of 10 for their efforts at the Etihad.
Tottenham expert Alasdair Gold said of Maddison: “Celebrated his birthday with two superb first-half strikes.
“The first was a left-footed volley on the run and the second was a delicate dink over the onrushing Ederson.
“His confidence was flowing from then on and he showed exactly what he can do.”
Gold then said of Kulusevski: “On the right wing and he hit a sublime pass into the path of Maddison for the opening goal.
“Was then involved in Spurs’ third goal early in the second half with a ball across to Solanke.
“Forced Ederson into a save with a second half run and shot. He just loves to play at this stadium.”
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