Manchester City’s habit of fading after the break is starting to raise real alarms—and it could yet derail their Premier League title challenge. Sunday’s 2-2 draw away to Tottenham, after leading 2-0, was the latest example of a worrying pattern.
City have now failed to hold on to a half-time lead in three of their last four league matches. While previous draws against Chelsea and Brighton were less dramatic, the common theme is clear: chances to put games to bed are being missed, and control is slipping away.
Dominant Early, Complacent Later
For 45 minutes in north London, City looked exactly like a team chasing down Arsenal. They were composed, fluid and dangerous, moving the ball sharply and carving Spurs open with ease. Pep Guardiola’s tactical tweaks worked perfectly, with a flexible midfield and an aggressive press that led directly to the opening goal.
City were so comfortable that the only real question at half-time seemed to be how many goals they would score. That comfort, though, may have been part of the problem. Instead of coming out fired up, City appeared to switch off, perhaps assuming the game would continue on the same terms.
Tottenham, by contrast, came out transformed. A forced change at the back pushed them into a more familiar shape, their midfield tightened up, and their intensity shot through the roof. Suddenly, Spurs were winning second balls, pressing higher, and playing with belief.
Spurs Wanted It More
This was not a case of Tottenham suddenly producing superior quality. The difference was hunger. Spurs played the second half like a team with something to prove, while City looked passive and surprisingly fragile.
In matches like these, quality usually tells—if it’s backed up by effort. But City lost too many duels, gave the ball away cheaply, and failed to match Spurs’ energy. Their front players struggled to hold the ball or threaten in behind, which only increased the pressure.
City were fortunate to escape with a point, needing a couple of outstanding saves to avoid defeat. The swing between their first-half dominance and second-half collapse was as stark as anything seen from a Guardiola side in years.
A Mindset Issue in the Title Race
This dip is unlikely to be physical. City rotate heavily and have the depth to manage a packed schedule. The bigger concern is mental. There is a sense that once they take control of a game, some players believe the job is done.
That is not how title races are won. City have built their recent success on ruthless game management and relentless focus—qualities that were missing here. With just one win in their last six league matches, their results no longer match the quality in the squad.
They are not out of the race yet. The gap to Arsenal is still manageable, and the leaders still have to visit the Etihad. City are more than capable of going on another long winning run.
But unless they fix these second-half drop-offs, and rediscover the mindset that made them serial champions, they risk watching the title slip away—not because they lack talent, but because they stop believing they need to keep fighting.
