Injuries will hurt more than Blues' cup defeat

OUT but not down. City have been eliminated from the Carabao Cup and their unbeaten streak for the season is over after a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in North London.

- SIMON RAJKOWSKI

Two more injuries picked up on the night, taking the list to eight sidelined players, will further test a severely depleted squad and make their chances of success in other competitions harder.

For all that though, Pep Guardiola had plenty to enjoy as he watched an understrength team give Spurs a better run for their money than many had anticipated.

Even with so many missing, the Blues still took some beating.

Football is a funny game. The last time these teams were here City were desperate for a win that Spurs - certainly their fans - weren't too bothered about denying them given it would mean Arsenal missed out on the league title; here, Ange Postecoglou desperately needed a win to boost his trophy hopes and earn back some goodwill following Sunday's defeat at Palace, while it was a game City could have done without given their injury count.

Guardiola's wish for no injuries had gone out the window before the game had kicked off, with Manu Akanji injured in the warm-up, meaning Ruben Dias had to step up at the last minute.