A look inside Man City's astonishing Tottenham stadium hoodoo, as horror statistics revealed
PEP GUARDIOLA said he still has one big ambition to achieve in England after leading Manchester City to a historic treble last season.
The Etihad chief was asked in May what it was and smiled: “To score a goal against Spurs away.”
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He folded his hands together in prayer before adding: “Yes, I'm staying because I want to beat Spurs.”
They've tried five times since the stunning new North London location opened in spring 2019 – and five times they've failed.
For a team that prides itself on the number of goals they score, that's an incredible statistic.
Friday night they have another chance to destroy that hoodoo once and for all – and their 9,000 traveling fans may think they'll never get a better opportunity.
A city trip after a 13-day break – and part of it soaking up the sun at a warm-weather training camp in Abu Dhabi.
And Ange Postecoglou's men have been weakened by injuries and international call-ups.
The neutral parties may think that everything is about an away victory, but we have been here before.
City were among the first visitors to Spurs' new home ground for the Champions League quarter-final first leg in April 2019.
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They also had the chance to become one of the first goalscorers, but Sergio Aguero is elevene The minute penalty was saved by Hugo Lloris as Spurs won by one goal.
Ten months later they squandered another chance from the spot – again saved by Lloris, but this time Ilkay Gundogan was to blame.
Oleks Zinchenko's red card allowed Jose Mourinho's side to take advantage and win with two goals in the second half.
In November 2020, City at least got the ball in the net on their bogey pitch – only for Aymeric Laporte's attempt to be ruled out for a handball by Gabriel Jesus.
Once again it ended in a 2-0 defeat for Pep's men, sending Spurs to the top of the table.
The following summer, City attempted to sign Tottenham's captain and top scorer Harry Kane, perhaps thinking he could help end the curse.
But the move didn't happen and the visitors looked toothless on the opening day of the 2021/2 season – when Son Heung Min scored the only goal.
And on their last visit, 12 months ago, they saw a Riyad Mahrez cannon coming down the bottom of the bar and coming out.
Spurs went down to ten men late on, but City still couldn't find a way out – meaning Kane's early strike was enough.
Now, however, Erling Haaland could be on the bench after finally shaking off a foot injury and his team will travel to the capital on the back of six straight wins.
So this time they will definitely get a goal, right?
But don't bet on it.
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