Timo Werner and Pape Sarr came up with exquisite first-half finishes as Tottenham Hotspur upset Manchester City 2-1 to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals in North London. Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou affirmed a few weeks ago that he "always" wins trophies in his second year in a job, and the Australian has taken a giant step towards ending Tottenham's 16-year drought, as Matheus Nunes 's half-volley could not inspire a Citizens turnaround. While Tottenham's smash-and-grab win over Coventry City in the third round was very much on the unconvincing side, Postecoglou's charges immediately took the game by the scruff of the neck against a lackadaisical Citizens side.
A sublime passing move out from the back allowed the hitherto profligate Werner to score his first goal of the season, and the hosts did not rest on their laurels after their surprise opener. Spurs were aided by Man City being completely off the boil, and one became two in wonderful fashion as Sarr curled home a 30-yard stunner following a short corner routine, but that sweet strike finally seemed to wake the visitors up. Tottenham's mission to get to half time with a two-goal lead ended in failure, as the increasingly influential Nunes pulled one back with a half-volley into the ground, no doubt changing the half-time team talks from both managers.
Spurs would also have to cope without Micky van de Ven for the second 45 - the Dutchman was in tears as he was forced off in the opening period - and as expected, the second.