Manchester United are on six points – their poorest start since 1986 – and Tottenham have three less and remain stuck in the relegation zone: testing times for Michael Carrick and Roberto De Zerbi, who must somehow revive their teams following a contest that was lit up by a moment of quality in the 73rd minute.
Matheus Cunha was fed by Luke Shaw down the left and the Brazilian crossed to Bryan Mbeumo, who spun and finished for United. It drew delirious chants of “You’re going down with the City”: Spurs, at this stage, were rock-bottom, and Manchester City’s long-term future in the division is in the balance.
