(Credit: TNT Sports)

Jack Heath

Sat 23 August 2025 15:17, UK

James Trafford left the Sky Sports studio in complete disbelief after his bizarre actions during Tottenham’s resolute victory over Man City.

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The Spurs go marching on after maintaining a perfect start to the season by beating the Cityzens 2-0 on their home turf.

Much of the focus before the game was on the revival of Pep Guardiola‘s free-flowing City side as the Lilywhites frustrated and outclassed the Manchester outfit.

Goals from Brennan Johnson and a first for Joao Palhinha was enough for Thomas Frank to leave the Etihad with three points and a smile on his face.

The second goal was rather comical as keeper Trafford carelessly gave away the ball in the 18-yard box, which left the Sky Sports pundits in utter shock.

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Covering the game on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (23 August, 1:18pm), former Crystal Palace forward Clinton Morrison laid into the Cityzens and Trafford for their shambolic passing out from the back for Tottenham‘s second goal.

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In the 45+2 minute, the ex-Burnley shot stopper had the ball in his six-yard box coming under pressure from an intense Tottenham press.

The Englishman handed the ball over to Nico Gonzalez on the penalty spot who was instantly dispossessed.

Trafford stopped Richarlison from scoring but the loose ball found it’s way to Palhinha who smashed it into the back of the net.

The ex-Eagle striker Morrison said on the calamitous goal: “Let me tell you I don’t know what Man City are doing.

“They are in the title race but the way they’re trying to play out from that back, and the way Tottenham press under Thomas Frank is brilliant.

“They press it, they win the ball, you’re thinking ‘Richarlison shoot’ and he shifts it to Joao Palhinha and he just drills it through bodies into the goal, it’s a mistake from the goalkeeper.

“Big mistake from [James] Trafford.

Listen, I know you want goalkeepers to play out from the back but use your hands first and foremost, but Trafford, no.”

The England shot-stopper was clearly annoyed with his loose pass for the second Spurs goal (Credit: Sebastian Frej)

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson is then heard in the background watching the replay saying “Wow” as ex-Tottenham defender Michael Dawson utters “Ohhh nooo”.

Morrison added: “Terrible ball to Gonzalez, terrible ball…” as Merson responded again: “Oh wow”.

The ex-Birmingham City striker then capped off the second goal by saying: “The ball to Gonzalez is so tight, he’s got Pape Sarr right behind him, ah it’s poor, it’s poor.

And he’s played it on the wrong side to him as well.”

After conceding the goal, the City keeper was evidently frustrated with himself as he was visibly swearing knowing it was his fault.

Football Insider verdict

I thought it was going to take much longer for the Lilywhites to adjust to life under the Dane given the craziness of “Ange-Ball” under his predecessor.

Yet, the north London outfit are impressing across all parts of the pitch, creating clinical chances, converting with efficiency and being defensively resolute.

Frank is one of the most tactically fluid managers the Premier League has to offer and Daniel Levy will be chuffed that he brought him in to take the club to the next level.

Tottenham v Man City 23 AugustPossession39%Expected goals xG1.02Big chances2Shots12Corners2(Source: Sofascore)

For Man City, it looks like everyone has jumped the gun presuming they are back to their best after a humbling by Spurs.

Against low-table sides like Wolves, they can dispatch of teams in sensational fashion, yet against the side of higher calibre there still needs to be a more consistent level of performance.

Tijjani Reinjders, after impressing on his debut was completely nullified by Tottenham, as Guardiola goes back to the drawing board to tinker with his setup once again.
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