In a breathtaking turn of events on November 23, 2024, Manchester City endured a shocking 4-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium, a loss that marks the first time in Pep Guardiola's illustrious managerial career that he has suffered five consecutive defeats across all competitions.

James Maddison was the star of the show, scoring two goals within a mere seven minutes in the first half. Following the break, Pedro Porro added to City's miseries, before Brennan Johnson sealed the emphatic win deep into added time. This shocking result ended City’s remarkable club record of 52 consecutive home matches unbeaten in all competitions.

Currently, Manchester City sits second in the Premier League table with 23 points, trailing leaders Liverpool—who have a game in hand—by five points. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s victory propelled them to sixth place, accumulating 19 points from their first 12 matches.

Guardiola reflected on this unexpected downfall, admitting, "In this moment we are fragile defensively." The manager, who recently signed a two-year contract extension, emphasized that his team started with a promising performance, but failed to convert chances and were then punished for their defensive lapses. "Now we have to live it and break it, winning the next games, especially the next one. Maybe in a few weeks we see things differently,” he added, expressing a hope for a turnaround.

Notably, this defeat marks City’s most significant loss at home in club history, with the three consecutive league defeats setting another unwanted record during Guardiola's tenure, which has spanned over eight years. Maddison, who celebrated his 28th birthday, expressed his disbelief at the outcome, recognizing the rarity of such a victory against a team that has dominated European football in recent years. "These are the days you remember and I think it's important we enjoy it,” he stated post-match.

Despite City controlling many aspects of the game, including registering 23 shots compared to Tottenham's nine, they were unable to find the net while their defensive vulnerabilities were ruthlessly exploited. Early on, Maddison capitalized on City's defensive mishaps, scoring his first goal in the 13th minute with a well-placed shot following a stunning cross from Dejan Kulusevski. Just seven minutes later, he doubled the lead with a cheeky chip over the grounded goalkeeper Ederson.

Porro's first-time strike in the 52nd minute put the match firmly beyond City's reach, with Johnson adding a fourth in stoppage time after a rapid counter-attack. Timo Werner's sprint down the flank, followed by a low cross, set up Johnson for the easy tap-in—leaving the home fans in shock and disbelief.

The loss is a striking reminder that even the mightiest teams can fall, and as Manchester City seeks to regain their footing, the question remains: how will they respond to this unprecedented challenge? The road ahead is looking treacherous for the reigning champions, promising an exhilarating battle in the Premier League as they aim to break their losing streak in the upcoming matches. Will Guardiola's squad rise from the ashes, or are they facing a more significant crisis? Only time will tell.