Man City 0–4 Tottenham: As City's problem worsens, Pep Guardiola loses for the fifth time in a row for the first time in his managerial career.

As Manchester City's problems worsened after an unbelievable 4-0 home loss to Tottenham, Pep Guardiola experienced his first five-game losing streak in his managerial career.

If the Premier League leaders defeat Southampton on Sunday, City would trail Liverpool by eight points. Next week, City will visit Anfield.

"Man City were outplayed in every department," Gary Neville of Sky Sports assessed. "They look well short - as short as I have seen them since Guardiola's first season."

Before kickoff, there was a festive atmosphere at the Etihad when Man City player Rodri displayed his Ballon d'Or trophy on the pitch. The good vibes on the pitch early on were reflected in the news of Guardiola's new two-year contract to remain with the Premier League winners.

Man City began by easily destroying Spurs under the leadership of Phil Foden, who started in the No. 10 spot behind Erling Haaland. Gary Neville of Sky Sports stated, "It's a little too easy," but Haaland's carelessness in front of goal would end up costing them. After being picked out by Savinho's cross, Haaland fired directly at Vicario, but Gvardiol played him in and Haaland snatched at his shot.

Spurs took the lead "out of nowhere" and punished City, according to Neville. James Maddison volleyed past Ederson after the spectacular Dejan Kulusevski's beautiful pass left the Etihad in disbelief.

Now that the guests had complete power, City was being torn apart at will. Ederson couldn't stop Maddison from a second, but he had to make a spectacular fingertip save to save Heung-Min Son. The England midfielder's 28th birthday was quickly turning into a memorable one as he took advantage of a mistake made by Gvardiol and then skilfully finished over the Man City custodian to double Spurs' lead.

At halftime, Nathan Ake took John Stones' place, but City's luck remained unchanged.

Kulusevski was instrumental once more as Spurs increased their lead. After fending off two challenges and carrying the ball out of defence, he let go of Dominic Solanke. Pedro Porro put Spurs in dreamland after the striker set him up and he smashed the ball into the net.

"Shell shock has hit the stadium. Following the third Spurs goal, Neville remarked, "They can't believe what they are watching." Before Guardiola made the substitutions and added Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish to try to get back into the game, Haaland's attempt struck the crossbar.

It didn't happen, and the Spurs' celebrations grew even more in stoppage time as Timo Werner, a replacement, went past Kyle Walker as if he hadn't been there and set up Brennan Johnson for a tap-in as Man City lost the Premier League for the third time in a row under Guardiola.

For City, things don't get much simpler. Prior to their crucial Premier League matchup against league leaders Liverpool, who have the opportunity to go eight points clear when they play Southampton on Sunday, they will try to avoid losing to Feyenoord in the Champions League for the sixth time in a row on Tuesday.

"I felt that now is not the time to leave, I would let the club down, and I had the feeling I had to do it," Guardiola stated earlier this week when he signed his contract to remain at City despite their recent struggling performance.

These issues have gotten worse for Guardiola and City after losses to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, Sporting in the Champions League, Bournemouth, Brighton, and now Spurs in the Premier League.

Pep: Our defences are weak.
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Man City:

"We are defensively weak right now. As usual, we got off to a great start, but we were unable to score and eventually gave up. We then gave in even more, which is hard on our feelings at the moment.

"We haven't had this kind of circumstance in eight years. We must now live it and make it happen by winning the upcoming games, particularly the one after this one. We currently have one perspective; perhaps in a few weeks, we will have a different one.

"Obviously, the players are having difficulties. When we succeed, we are joyful; when we fail, we are worried. It's typical. If they or I were not concerned, there would be an issue.

"Life is like this, even though we are not accustomed to it. We must understand that it happens occasionally. We will get up and take action since that is the current situation.

"We embrace the fact that winning a lot of games is better than losing, but it's still a fire. We must proceed, shatter it, and give it a go.