League leaders Manchester City were dismantled by an energetic Tottenham Hotspur, who came from behind to crush the travelling table toppers 4-1.Despite £55m man Kevin De Bruyne slotting home to put the visitors ahead, a long range Eric Dier effort levelled the scores on the stroke of half time.Spurs then raced to a 4-1 victory after Toby Alderweireld, Harry Kane and Erik Lamela completed the rout.The game was marred by a succession of controversial offside decisions, with only Alderweireld's header not a contentious decision.However, Mauricio Pochettino’s side grew throughout the game, with their front line wreaking havoc to a City defence that looked slow and lumbering.With Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany and David Silva out of today’s clash, the Manchester side were without a strong core of usual first team players.Sergio Aguero was lively up front, but failed to regularly trouble Hugo Lloris in the Spurs goal.Here are three other things we learned during the clash.
Man City cannot handle pace
Granted, Vincent Kompany was unable to feature today with a reported illness. However, the remaining defenders looked helpless against the powerful running of the opposition
Argentine pair Nicolas Otamendi and Martin Demichelis really struggled to deal with the pace of Lamela, Kane and Son Heung-Min, as well as Clinton N’Jie when he appeared late in the second half.
The direct running and high pressing nature of Pochettino’s side seemed to have the City back line shaking in their boots whenever it was in full flow.
Kane is back
The hyperbole surrounding Harry Kane following his return to the scoresheet may be somewhat tongue in cheek, but the England man impressed today.
He ran himself into the ground, and deserved his goal – despite it clearly being offside. The 22-year old worked the channels, buzzed around the outside of the box and tested stand in ‘keeper Willy Caballero a few times.
The hitman possess the energy to cause real problems to opposing defenders.
He took his goal well, though the goal was gaping. Reacting first to a loose ball, he controlled an awkwardly bouncing ball and fired into the roof the net.
Dier & Alli for England
Tottenham’s young, English midfield partnership provided the defensive solidarity in order to allow the forward players to flourish.
The young midfielders stood strong against the likes Yaya Toure, Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne, calmly breaking up attacks in their half.
They acted with an assurance beyond their years, and have the technique to start attacks from the back.
Alli in particular looks like the kind of player Roy Hodgson requires, someone to sit back and scheme, allowing the faster players on the wings to push forward and hit teams on the counter.