Lack of belief painfully obvious in Tottenham 3-0 defeat to City

A discouraging show from Tottenham further typified the giant chasm between Jose Mourinho’s men and Manchester City, as the league leaders strolled to a 3-0 win. 

Everyone knew this was going to be an uphill battle, but I’m sure most expected, if not hoped, for a more spirited performance. City are unquestionably in indomitable form, now winning 15 on the trot in all competitions. It was also City’s seventh clean sheet in a row on home turf, matching a club record.

Contrastingly, Tottenham hobble away from the Etihad completely devoid of confidence and enterprise. Spurs have won just three of their last 11 encounters and, ignoring for a moment the 2-0 win over the Baggies, managed only one goal in four.

Knowing acutely the way Mourinho sets up his teams when he feels outgunned and overpowered, the match followed precisely a tired, predictable script. It’s almost impossible against a team of City’s quality to compete when you’ve already resigned yourself to defeat before a ball is kicked.

In Mourinho’s defence, Tottenham simply don’t measure up to City personnel-wise. But there is no defence for the incessant lack of faith he shows in his players. Equipped with a few of the top flight’s best goal scorers, Mourinho inexcusably has no intention of letting them play on the front foot, instead demanding they play the role of mouse, forever being chased by a giant, menacing cat.

Aside from the unjust penalty awarded to City for a foul that should have been awarded to Tottenham, the away side got exactly what they deserved.

You might blame Hugo Lloris for an inability to kick his foot out on İlkay Gündoğan’s first; you might fault both Japhet Tanganga and Davinson Sanchez for being schooled on a simple, direct 50-yard pass from Ederson that led to City’s third; however, instead reserve your blame and judgement for Jose and his cagey, frightened tactics. Sure, we don’t have the personnel to dominate City, but we could at least attempt to prove we belong on the same pitch.

It’s clear Jose, on current form, did not believe Tottenham would be able to beat City. That lack of belief permeated through his side, turning an already onerous task into an impossible one. Spurs had three shots on target, one of which from a venomous Harry Kane free kick that hit the post square.

Some concessions can be made when considering the quality of the opponent. But watching our beloved Spurs capitulate and play entirely without confidence, inspiration and belief is akin to swallowing a jaggedly sharp poisonous pill.