LONDON: A new-look Manchester City showed familiar frailties as Tottenham strolled to a 2-0 win at the Etihad on Saturday, while Aston Villa slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Brentford.

Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha struck for the Europa League winners just before half-time as Spurs went top of the table, making it a perfect start for Thomas Frank after two league games in charge.

City’s run of four consecutive Premier League titles came to a spectacular end last season as they finished a distant third behind Liverpool and Arsenal.

A 4-0 thrashing of Wolves on the opening weekend of the campaign showed glimpses of a revamped City back to their best.

However, they were again easily exposed on the counter-attack, while manager Pep Guardiola must decide who will be his number one goalkeeper after a day to forget for James Trafford.

Ederson was left on the bench amid rumours the Brazilian could join Galatasaray before the transfer window closes. City have been linked with a move for out-of-favour Paris Saint-Germain ‘keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Tottenham took the lead on 35 minutes when Richarlisonsquared for Brennan Johnson to power past Trafford.

Trafford was fortunate to avoid being punished after rushing outside his box to block from Kudus with his arm.

But moments later the England goalkeeper had a moment of madness when he attempted a pass to Nico Gonzalez inside his own box.

Pape Mate Sarr intercepted and, even though the goalkeeper recovered to deny Richarlison, Joao Palhinha smashed home the rebound.

Spurs let a two-goal lead slip late on against Paris Saint-Germain to lose the UEFA Super

Cup in Frank’s first game in charge earlier this month, but rarely looked in danger of suffering a similar fate.

“From every game you learn and games where you don’t get the result you learn even more,” said Frank. “Defensive principles and the mentality is the key thing. We need this mentality to win games like this.”

Villa have failed to score in their opening two games and Brentford secured a big win for new boss Keith Andrews thanks to record signing Dango Ouattara.

The Bees lost not only Frank, but their top scorer last season Bryan Mbeumo and captain Christian Norgaard in the close season, while Yoane Wissa has sat out Andrews’ first two games in an attempt to force through a move to Newcastle.

Brentford spent a reported 42 million ($58 million) on Ouattara to replace Mbeumo and he delivered with the only goal on 12 minutes The Burkina Faso international sprinted clear of Pau Torres before firing in at the second attempt after Emi Martinez saved his first effort.

Marcus Tavernier scored the only goal as Bournemouth beat 10-man Wolves 1-0.

Toti Gomes was dismissed early in the second half for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. Wolves remain without a point.

Burnley secured their first points back in the top flight with a 2-0 win over Sunderland.

The Black Cats beat West Ham 3-0 last weekend on their return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence.

But goals from Josh Cullen and Jaidon Anthony brought Sunderland back to earth.

Late on Friday, Chelsea came from a goal behind to thrash West Ham United 5-1 and pile more pressure on home manager Graham Potter after two heavy Premier League defeats in as many matches.

Lucas Paqueta got the hosts off to a dream start when he unleashed a swirling shot past goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with six minutes on the clock but Chelsea hit back in the 15th through a Joao Pedro header and the floodgates opened.

After West Ham had a Niclas Fullkrug effort ruled offside, Pedro Neto sent Chelsea ahead on the volley in the 23rd and Enzo Fernandez made it 3-1 from close range on 34 after a pass from Brazilian teenager Estevao Willian.

Moises Caicedo added a fourth in the 54th, after goalkeeper Mads Hermansen pushed the ball to him off a corner, and Trevoh Chalobah became the fifth Chelsea player on the London Stadium scoresheet four minutes later.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2025