Tottenham player ratings vs Man City - Palhinha and Sarr brilliant as Johnson scores again

Tottenham won 2-0 at Manchester City in the Premier League's Saturday lunchtime game and here are our Spurs player ratings.

Spurs boss Thomas Frank stuck with the 4-2-3-1 he used in the 3-0 opening weekend win against Burnley, albeit with some personnel changes in the centre of the pitch. Without a playmaker after the failure to sign Eberechi Eze, Tottenham again turned to Pape Matar Sarr in the role playing between Mohammed Kudus and Brennan Johnson. Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha came back into the side and Richarlison kept his place ahead of Dominic Solanke following his two goals against Burnley.

City had most of the first half pressure but Spurs scored on 35 minutes. Sarr headed on a Pedro Porro ball down the right into Richarlison's path and the Brazilian fired the ball across for Johnson to smash home with James Trafford only able to get a hand to it on its way in. The Wales international was flagged offside but VAR overruled that call on the pitch.

Tottenham's pressing then earned a second goal before the break. City keeper James Trafford hit a short pass in his box that Sarr intercepted and while the goalkeeper managed to get a hand to the ball at Richarlison's feet, it fell for Joao Palhinha to smash home his first goal for the club.

It was Spurs who had the better chances in the second half, including late efforts from Dominic Solanke and Wilson Odobert as well as a few Richarlison headed efforts, while City struggled to create much.

Here are our Tottenham player ratings from the match:

Guglielmo Vicario

Had to make a couple of interventions in the opening 20 minutes, including pushing away Marmoush's effort from the edge of the box. Made a terrific save to deny the same player in a one-vs-one situation before the half-hour mark. Had less to do in the second half but he's laid the foundations for the clean sheet. 8

Pedro Porro

Sent a shot into the side-netting after his free-kick hit the wall and moments later undercooked a header back to Vicario that resulted in Marmoush firing an effort across the face of goal. Curled the ball up the pitch to Sarr in the build-up to Spurs' first half goal and put in some great crosses in the second half that Richarlison should have done better with. Made a great run in the 86th minutes before releasing Bergvall in a move that led to an Odobert chance. Other than that weak header in the first half, the Spaniard was superb. 9

Cristian Romero

The captain made so many blockbuster challenges and really led by example from the back. Picked up a ridiculous yellow card for a perfect tackle. 9

Micky van de Ven

Got away with what looked like a penalty missed for catching Bobb on the foot early in the second half. Made a brilliant sliding block to deny Foden from scoring with about 12 minutes to go. Another terrific display alongside Romero. 8

Djed Spence

Showed a great engine like Porro to get up and down the flank, linking up well with Johnson at times. Was still running in the final moments. 8

Rodrigo Bentancur

If composure had a name it would be Rodrigo Bentancur. So unflappable in the Spurs midfield and the go-to outlet for the defence in tight spots. 8

Joao Palhinha

A constant huge presence in the centre of the pitch, looking much sharper and fitter now. Fired home his first goal for the club when the ball fell his way in the box before the break. So little got past him. He's going to be such a big signing for Spurs. 9

Mohammed Kudus

So strong and a great outlet down the right whenever Spurs needed to get out. City just couldn't really deal with him. 8

Pape Matar Sarr

Headed on the ball to Richarlison in the build-up to Spurs' first half goal and pressed well in the build-up to the second. He's a machine and he's going to become a star in this set-up. 9

Brennan Johnson

Goals in back-to-back games with his low finish from Richarlison's ball, making it back to back goals at the Etihad. Worked so hard as he grew in confidence, occasionally dropping deeper and spraying some passes around as well as tracking back. One of those performances where he did far more than simply score even if he had one shot that should have been a pass in a Spurs break. 8

Richarlison

Battled from the off and grabbed an assist with a perfect pass across for Johnson. Was involved in a lot of the good things Spurs did, including the pressing for the second goal. Had a hat-trick of second half headers that he needed to get on target. 8

Subs

Dominic Solanke

Had a late shot saved and kept City on their toes. 7

Wilson Odobert

Sent one shot wide and had his header following up Solanke's shot saved. Kept stretching the defence. 7

Lucas Bergvall

Came on in the final 10 minutes and set up Odobert for a good chance. 7

Kevin Danso

Replaced Palhinha for added time. N/A