Ange's title omen as City rocked in Spurs ambush; seven-goal rout ...

Ange Postecoglou “always wins things” in his second season in charge and his big statement remains on track as Tottenham defeated heavyweights Manchester City 2-1 to advance to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

The Round of 16 clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was a classic display of ‘Angeball’ as Spurs were electric early with two goals in the first 26 minutes of the game.

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City had more of the ball with 65% possession for the night but they could only get two of their 15 shots on targets, while Tottenham constantly threatened on the counter attack.

Spurs tested out City’s second choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega with seven of their 11 shots being on target as their speed and creativity in midfield caused headaches for Pep Guardiola.

Postecoglou’s side made early in-roads with Dejan Kulusevski picking out much-maligned attacker Timo Werner at the far post to open the scoring in the sixth minute, but it was not all smooth sailing as defender Micky Van de Ven injured his hamstring in a slide tackle in the 11th minute.

Tottenham’s advantage grew to two in the 26th minute when midfielder Pape Sarr curled a beautiful low strike home from the edge of the box after a short corner, but their Australian boss would have entered the dressing room at half time frustrated.

Spurs conceded in the fourth and final minute of added time when Savinho - who had to be stretchered off in the second half with a leg injury - crossed the ball to Nunes at the back post.

The late goal made for a nervy second half for the home fans as City have trailed many times so far this season and on each occasion they have come back and won.

But this time around it was not to be as Guardiola made a head scratching move.

Goal scoring machine Erling Haaland remained on the bench for the entire game despite City’s search for an equaliser.

Postecoglou on other hand brought Brazilian attacker Richarlison on in the 69th minute to try extend their lead, and he had the chance to bury City when he was through on goal in the 83rd minute but hit a tame shot directly to Ortega.

It did not matter in the end as Tottenham defended soundly in a scoreless second half - which included six minutes of added time - to bounce back from their disappointing Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend.

Spurs have also kept alive their hopes of claiming their first trophy since 2008 when they won this very competition.

They will face Manchester United at home in a quarter-final and Postecoglou was refusing to buy into notions that things may get easier after toppling City.

“Are you suggesting the sides left are easy?” the Australian asked a reporter who wondered if the Cup now felt “wide open”.

“There’s always an opportunity if you keep winning. But as I say, there’s still some decent teams in there. It’s not really the quarter-final stage. But for us, what’s important is we’re in it. As long as we stay in it, we’ve a chance.”

FLURRY OF GOALS MARKS LIFE AFTER TEN HAG

Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy could hardly have asked for a better start to his new gig with the Red Devils piling on the goals against Leicester City as they won 5-2 at Old Trafford.

Van Nistelrooy said pre-game that his side “can be unstoppable” when “players, staff and supporters pull together” and remarkably there were six goals scored to half time as United lead 4-2 at the break.

Casemiro - who scored the last goal under Erik ten Hag - started the new era with a stunner from long-range and the highlights continued as the game went on.

Garnacho thumped a low cross into the roof of the net for their second, Bruno Fernandes then curled home a lovely free kick for United’s third and Casemiro scored his second from a delicate chipped cross by Marcus Rashford.

In the second half, Fernandes got a brace of his own by coolly going around the keeper and beating a defender on the line to make it two straight Carabao Cup matches at Old Trafford where seven goals have been scored.

In the previous round, United smashed League 1 side Barnsley 7-0.

LIVERPOOL HANG ON IN SECOND HALF THRILLER

Liverpool walked into the change rooms locked at 0-0 with Brighton at half time, but a flick was switched after the break as five second half goals lit up the Amex.

The Reds prevailed 3-2 to keep Arne Slot’s dream start to life at Anfield despite a late Brighton fightback.

The match looked all but over when, in the 63rd minute, Cody Gapko fired home his second of the night.

But a blunder at the back gave the Seagulls a sniff with a goal to Simon Adingra in the 81st minute before Luis Diaz added Liverpool’s third four minutes later.

A stoppage time goal to Tariq Lamptey courtesy of a wicked deflection gave Brighton hope of levelling it up at the death knock but Liverpool held firm to book their place in the quarter-finals against Southampton.

In other matches, Arsenal were far too strong for Championship side Preston North End as the Gunners won 3-0 away from home to advance to the next round against Crystal Palace.

Newcastle knocked out Chelsea 2-0 to gain revenge for their Premier League loss at Stamford Bridge last weekend, and they will take on Brentford in a quarter-final.

Crystal Palace upset Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park, while yesterday Southampton defeated Stoke City 3-2 and Brentford overcame Championship club Sheffield Wednesday on penalties.