Manchester City suffered an injury setback in just their second game of the new Premier League season as Rayan Ait-Nouri limped off in the first half against Tottenham, who then took a 2-0 lead through Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha.
Ait-Nouri was signed from Wolves ahead of the Club World Cup for a reported fee of £31.8 million with £5.2 million in potential bonuses.
He made his Premier League debut in City’s emphatic 4-0 win at his former club Wolves last Saturday.
But the Algeria international could now be looking at a spell on the sidelines after he was forced off in the 23rd minute of his home debut at the Etihad Stadium.
Ait-Nouri initially received treatment after dropping to the turf in the 15th minute. He attempted to carry on but was then eventually substituted and replaced by Nathan Ake, who has been linked with a move away from the club.
In Ait-Nouri’s absence, Tottenham carved open the City defence for the opening goal. Mohammed Kudus flicked a long ball forward into the path of Richarlison down the right flank, and the Brazilian’s low cross was emphatically dispatched by Johnson.
Things got worse for City in first-half stoppage time when Nico Gonzalez played a poor ball to goalkeeper James Trafford, whose pass was intercepted as Pape Sarr diverted the ball into the path of Richarlison. Trafford attempted to recover his error, but the ball eventually fell to Palhinha, whose close-range effort was deflected home.
After an opening game in which City looked like title contenders, the first half of their maiden home match of the new season displayed their vulnerabilities, with Ait-Nouri’s injury potentially presenting Pep Guardiola with a significant headache at the back.
