Article by Ben Carso

3-0 was the scoreline on Wednesday evening and Manchester City deserved nothing against a very well organised Tottenham Hotspur outfit. Mark Hughes called it “Early days” but one suspects it may mean early doors should Manchester City not make the top 4 AND qualify for the Champions league.

The amount of players they currently have on their payroll will really require a Champions League spot next season or they will see players leaving, regardless of the bottomless pit of cash available to the manager. Hughes has spent a lot of money since taking charge and those in charge may look to Jose Mourinho to take them up to the next step.

The differences between the two are vast, with the man from Portugal having experienced life at the top of the Premiership and Serie A, he is also, by the looks of things not enjoying Inter Milan as much as one first thought he might. Mourinho also has the added advantage of being able to control top quality players with big personalities. On Wednesday night Robinho again went on a sulking mission after being substituted.

Hughes’ experience as a manager has not been anywhere near the top in his young managerial career and Wednesdays game will have more of an impact on him that it will on some of his stars. But you have to say he took defeat with dignity and shook Harry Redknapps hand at the end of the game. You can expect City to spend big again this January.

With Tottenham showing Manchester City how football is played, they now move into the very tight 5th spot with Aston Villa and Arsenal above them. The best online bookmakers now make Tottenham the favourites to win without “the big four” at 13/8 despite Villa being above them. If City fans still believe they will be Premiership Champions this season you can expect around 66/1. Dreams on the other hand cost nothing.

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