Tottenham's two 'absolutely wonderful' players leave Gary Neville amazed in 4-0 Man City thrashing

Gary Neville almost could not separate the two Tottenham Hotspur difference makers during Saturday’s thrilling 4-0 win at ailing Premier League champions Manchester City.

How could he?

From the dancing feet and devilish delivery of Dejan Kulusevski to the clinical finishing and lesser-spotted defensive resilience of James Maddison. For Gary Neville, picking his Man of the Match following the greatest night of the Ange Postecoglou era was like a doting mother choosing between her two beloved sons.

In one of the finest individual performances seen at the Etihad Stadium in recent times – and maybe the very best from an opposition player – Kulusevski was ‘sensational’ for Spurs. He made Maddison’s 13th minute opener something of an inevitability, such was the sheer quality of his cross.

Maddison would double his tally only seven minutes later, dovetailing with Heung-Min Son as Spurs led City in a merry dance before clipping effortlessly over Ederson.

Kulusevski breezed through Pep Guardiola’s baffled side again in the build-up to Pedro Porro’s thumping finish after the break, before substitute Timo Werner roasted a struggling Kyle Walker to set up Brennan Johnson’s stoppage-time clincher.

James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski ‘wonderful’ as Tottenham thrash Man City

“Absolutely brilliant. It’s the quality of Kulusevski, absolutely wonderful,” an awe-struck Neville told Sky Sports after watching the silky Swede assist Maddison’s opener with a gorgeous left-footed ball.

“James Maddison [for his second goal, was] absolutely wonderful. He plays the pass to Son and then he goes on the big overlap round. The control on his right and the dink on the left is a thing of beauty beauty

“Tottenham have shocked the living daylights out of this stadium and that is a brilliant piece of football. A brilliant goal. The speed of play, it doesn’t matter how good your defenders are, you can’t deal with that 

“Its sublime.”

Neville infamously handed out an extremely rare joint-Man of the Match gong back in 2021.

Following a marvellous 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Manchester City, the United legend left the Sky studios scrambling around for a back-up award to hand out after refusing to pick between Phil Foden and Mo Salah.

“I once gave [the Man of the Match award] to two players and it caused great controversy,” Neville smiled as the clock approached 90 at the Etihad. “Can I do it again?”

Well, no.

This time, it was Maddison who edged out Kulusevski, Neville highlighting the sterling defensive work the England international is hardly renowned for. This, he felt, was perhaps Maddison’s greatest performance yet out of possession.

“[Maddison’s discipline and his work in the second-half was equally impressive [as his goals],” Neville argues. “And that’s why I’ve given him Man of the Match.”

“He was outstanding,” agrees Postecoglou, speaking in a jubilant post-match presser. “You have to be against City, and Madders was great. He’s gone through a lean spell but I never doubted his ability. I thought the kind of game we were expecting would suit him.

“I thought we’d need his ability to keep the ball in tight midfield areas. I take it personally on myself if players aren’t reaching their level, that’s on me to get him back up there.”