Once again we got a glimpse of Manchester City’s future and the frailties that need to be resolved | OneFootball

Manchester City’s 1-nil win over Tottenham on Wednesday night was crucial to City’s chase to secure Champions League football for next season. Pep Guardiola’s side picked up a precious three points but their performance was definitely a tale of two halves. In the first half, Manchester City were dominant and should have taken a 3-nil lead into the interval.

But in the second half, Tottenham came into the game, and City did have to hang on and ride their luck to preserve their 1-nil lead. Ederson also made several good saves to save his team in the second half. Looking at the game in its entirety, you got a glimpse of Manchester City’s future, but you also saw the frailties that need to be rectified by Pep Guardiola going forward.

In the first half, we saw the best of Pep Guardiola’s side. They were free-flowing, and with Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland and Savinho in full flight, Manchester City had a dynamic and attacking threat they needed to get at Tottenham’s makeshift defence. But City spurned a host of good chances to put the game to bed. That fact would play into the second half as Pep Guardiola’s side had to battle their way to a victory.

In the second half, Manchester City’s immaturity as a team was on display. Ange Postecoglou’s side were the better team in the second half. Tottenham do deserve credit for their play in the second half. That has to be said. But we saw that for now, this Manchester City side is far from the finished product. They lacked the maturity to know when to slow the game down and control proceedings. Instead, they tried to match Tottenham’s play in the second half. Due to this, there was a reason why Pep Guardiola brought on Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden late on in last night’s proceedings. They gave Pep Guardiola’s side the control they lacked during the game’s closing stages. That’s something players like Nico, Jeremy Doku and Savinho will have to learn and will learn in time as they mature as players.

Speaking with Football on TNT in quotes relayed by Bein Sports Pep Guardiola was relieved to see his team pick up three points against Tottenham. But he did touch on what his team failed to do in the first half. Speaking after the game he explained: “We’re really happy for the victory and for the three points, we needed it.”

“The second half was really open because we didn’t close it down. In the first we had too many clear chances and for the quality we have, we had to convert.”

“Unfortunately we couldn’t and then you know in the second half you are going to suffer, but we did it. The guys fought, but here is always a difficult, difficult place to come.”

Manchester City’s win over Tottenham showed both a glimpse of City’s future and the frailties of Pep Guardiola’s side. There is an immaturity to this City side and that will resolve itself in time. But it is something that will need be resolved before Pep Guardiola’s side return to the level required and expected of Manchester City.