The defending champions have conceded 10 goals in their last four games in all competitions as they continue to drop points to domestic rivals

When Manchester City won their first six matches of the Premier League season, many felt the destination of the title was already a foregone conclusion. Pep Guardiola’s side had come out of the traps faster than what we normally see, and looked destined for a fourth-straight league trophy.

However, those who took a glance at their upcoming fixtures knew there was a tough run on the horizon, and so it has proven. City have won just three of their last eight league matches, and are winless in three after twice surrendering the lead against Tottenham to draw 3-3 on Sunday.

As such, they have given up their spot at the top of the Premier League table, and serious questions are being asked of the champions, especially in defence, where they have conceded 10 goals in their last four games in all competitions.

Spurs certainly took advantage of that, though it’s fair to also point the finger of blame at City’s forwards, and particularly Erling Haaland after a profligate display in front of goal played a key role in Ange Postecoglu’s side being able to fight their way back into the encounter.

City’s tough run of games unofficially comes to an end on Wednesday when they travel to Aston Villa and try to bring a stop to Unai Emery’s long home winning run, but with key men Rodri and Jack Grealish suspended, and injury concerns surrounding Jeremy Doku after he limped off early in the second half here, that will be far from an easy task. Should they fail, then there will be plenty more asking whether this City side has what it takes to make history come May.

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from the Etihad Stadium…

ImagesLOSER: Erling Haaland

The statistics will show that Haaland assisted two of City’s three goals, but the reality is he looked off the pace and his shooting was wildly off the mark. He couldn’t link up with Julian Alvarez or Jeremy Doku to much effect, and when he got into good shooting areas, he looked incapable of finishing.

He missed glorious opportunities in each half and the chance he squandered in the 13th minute – skewing wide of the near post after the ball was put on a plate for him by Bernardo Silva – is perhaps his worst miss in a City shirt.

Haaland was understandably livid about the referee not playing the advantage in added time (more on that later), but he should have put the result beyond doubt well before that. The Norwegian’s sensational strike-rate means his misses are quickly forgotten, but if City fail to win the title, then his profligacy today will be a big reason why.

 ImagesWINNER: Ange Postecoglu

Tottenham boss Postecoglu must have feared the worst when Foden put City 2-1 up in the first half. Spurs came into this match looking to avoid becoming the first team in Premier League history to lose four successive matches having scored the first goal, and all signs pointed towards that pattern continuing after the England midfieldr netted.

However, it’s clear that as well as playing some superb football at times, this incarnation of Tottenham have a resilience that previous versions have not had. Injuries have played a part in their recent poor form, but it’s clear that it will take more than a few absent stars to remove the heart from this squad.

Postecoglu must also take some credit for sticking to his principles at the Etihad, even if it led to some sticky situations at times. Certainly, their willingness to play out from the back led to Grealish’s goal, but their high-pressing style and ability in transition played a major role in all three of Spurs goals.

With West Ham and Newcastle to come, Tottenham’s tough run of fixtures is certainly not over. But with Postecoglu in charge and the boost this result will give them, they will feel that a return to winning ways isn’t far away.

ImagesLOSER: City’s dire defence

For all of their ferocious attacking and Haaland’s insatiable lust for goals, City’s imperious defence was one of the main reasons why they ended up winning last season’s title. But that solidity seems like a relic from the past. Right now, City’s defence looks leakier than the Old Trafford roof.

Guardiola’s side have shipped 10 goals in their last four games and they are conceding late goals too. Cole Palmer’s equalising penalty for Chelsea came in the 94th minute, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s thunderbolt for Liverpool was in the 80th minute, and Dejan Kulusevski’s goal here was in the 90th. Those three goals alone have cost City six points, and could prove the difference between them lifting an unprecedented fourth consecutive league title or surrendering their crown.

There are many possible causes of City’s porous back line. John Stones, who gives them extra control in midfield and allows them to hold onto possession for long periods, has missed practically the entire season. Josko Gvardiol, who is the second most expensive defender in world football, has still not properly adapted to the Premier League and was given a torrid time by Kulusevski.

Ahead of them, Rodri has not been his usual self in the last few weeks, and Jeremy Doku, for all the excitement he doles out, leaves them more vulnerable to counter-attacks. But rather than being the cause of one or two individuals, City’s defensive problems seems to be a general malaise afflicting the entire team.

Guardiola will be racking his brains trying to sort it out as even an attacking ideologue like him knows that defences win titles. And unless he fixes his, then he won’t be lifting the trophy again next May.

LOSER: Simon Hooper

We’ve seen some woeful officiating in this Premier League season so far, but referee Simon Hooper might have produced the worst call of all in the dying moments at the Etihad. Certainly, Haaland seems to agree with that notion…

With City chasing a winning goal, Haaland was tripped on the halfway line. However, the striker was able to regain his footing and turn downfield, which in turn led to Hooper signalling for advantage as he allowed the attack to continue.

It was only when Haaland played a ball over the top into the path of Grealish, who had got ahead of the Spurs defence and had a free run at goal, that the referee blew his whistle for a free-kick for the foul on Haaland. It was truly a baffling call, and one that led to Hooper being surrounded by fuming City players, led by their No.9.

Whether Grealish would have applied the finish, we’ll never know, but he should have at least been given the chance to do so. Instead, Hooper ensured that refereeing will yet again be the focus of much of the coverage around what was a thrilling clash between two impressive teams.

/GOALWINNER: Arsenal & Liverpool

As the weeks pass by, it’s looking increasingly like we are in for a three-horse title race, and after three successive draws, City currently find themselves sat third as we head into the busy festive period.

Arsenal have maintained the momentum they had for much of last season, while Liverpool are back to their best after a poor campaign in 2022-23, and it’s clear that City will need to improve in certain areas if they are to defend their crown and claim a sixth league title in seven seasons.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are now three points clear of City after holding on for their 2-1 win over Wolves on Saturday, while Liverpool have leapfrogged Guardiola’s team after they backed-up last week’s draw at the Etihad with a thrilling 4-3 win over Fulham earlier on Sunday.

Watching City look so porous will definitely give their biggest rivals a huge boost, and it sets up a potential title battle for the ages as we head towards 2024.

ImagesLOSER: Rodri

It feels like a long time ago since Guardiola raved that Rodri was the best holding midfielder in the world after his masterclass against Red Star Belgrade in September. He doesn’t certainly deserve that status for his latest performances.

He was wildly erratic in his previous outing against RB Leipzig, and against Spurs, he again played with little sense of control, either on an individual or team level. The Spain international recovered his sharpness to track down Yves Bissouma and win the ball deep in Tottenham’s half before Grealish’s goal, but overall he was unable to dictate the pace of the game as he usually does.

His late tackle on Pedro Porro earned him a fifth straight yellow card, meaning he will miss the trip to Villa Park on Wednesday, and we all know how much City suffer without him: they have lost more than a third of the league games they have played without the Spaniard since he joined in 2019, and lost all three games he missed earlier in the season.