Tottenham analysis: Spurs not missing Harry Kane as Heung-min Son and Dele Alli end Pep Guardiola's Man City run

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Tom Collomosse3 October 2016

A vibrant Tottenham won Sunday's meeting of the Premier League's only two unbeaten sides when they beat leaders Manchester City 2-0.

City, who had won their first 10 matches of the season under new manager Pep Guardiola before drawing 3-3 at Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday, remain top of the table but could not cope with the intensity, pace and pressing of Spurs, who now sit second, only a point behind.

The home team went ahead in the ninth minute when Aleksandar Kolarov put Danny Rose's long cross into his own net and an unmarked Dele Alli doubled the lead before halftime.

Standard Sport's Spurs correspondent Tom Collomosse assesses five key talking points from Sunday's thrilling clash...

1. Who needs Harry Kane?

The burden on Kane since his emergence as Tottenham’s best centre-forward has been far too great. Today’s performance should lighten the load on the absent striker’s shoulders.

With Heung-min Son, who prefers to play on the left of the attack, chosen as the lone forward, Spurs caused City countless problems, with John Stones and Pablo Zabaleta struggling to deal with the South Korean’s pace and mobility.

Kane could be back for the derby against Arsenal on November 6 but in the meantime, at least Mauricio Pochettino knows he can cope without him.

2. Spurs' England stars shine

It has been a gruesome week for English football but as the national side prepare for World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia, stand-in coach Gareth Southgate can be happy with the form of his Spurs players.

Kyle Walker and Danny Rose did their jobs to perfection at full-back and Dele Alli was a constant thorn in the side of the City defence, scoring the second goal, winning a penalty and combining superbly with Son. In a time of great uncertainty for England, at least Southgate knows he can hang his hat on these three players.

3. The value of stability

At the start of the season, few mentioned Tottenham among the favourites for the title. The arrival of Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, at Manchester City and Manchester United respectively, tempted many to see a two-horse race.

City remain league leaders and United have fine players at their disposal, but neither club has the advantage Spurs have: a manager who has been in place since May 2014 and who has had time to impose his will and ideas upon his club.

Don’t forget that Pochettino signed a new five-year deal earlier this year – an outstanding piece of business by Spurs.

4. Did City chase the wrong goalkeeper?

These are early days in Claudio Bravo’s Manchester City career, but he does not appear to be the ball-playing goalkeeper we were told he was when Joe Hart was ousted.

Bravo looked uncomfortable with the ball at his feet, especially when put under pressure by opponents. At the other end, Hugo Lloris was rarely required to show those skills, but at that aspect of the game, he is one of the best in the league.

It is a surprise, therefore, that City did not make a serious play for Lloris in the summer. The France captain did his main job pretty well too, making crucial saves to deny Sergio Aguero and substitute Kelechi Iheanacho.

Getty Images

5. Stones remains vulnerable

John Stones is a highly talented young player but the rush to anoint him as England’s next great defender appears premature. While the former Everton player is excellent in possession, he was given the runaround in the first half by Tottenham’s Son.

Stones still does not seem to have developed the savvy and hard edge that all the best centre-backs need. He would be well-advised to study players from the past, ‘traditional’ defenders like Fabio Cannavaro and Roberto Ayala, if he is to fulfil his potential in the coming years.

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