Manchester City’s repeated drop in second-half performance is raising concerns over their Premier League title ambitions after they surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

City have now failed to hold leads in three of their last four league matches, including games against Chelsea and Brighton, highlighting a troubling pattern of complacency in the second half. Analysts attribute the turnarounds not to the opposition’s quality but to City’s drop in intensity and focus after halftime.

The dramatic reversal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was fueled by Spurs’ renewed energy, tactical adjustments, and determination, which outmatched City’s performance levels. Former player and BBC commentator Danny Murphy noted that while City controlled the first half and dominated possession, their mindset and attitude faltered after the break, a scenario he described as “self-inflicted” and concerning given the squad’s experience.

Pep Guardiola’s tactical tweaks, including a split front pairing of Antoine Semenyo and Erling Haaland and fluid midfield rotations, gave City an initial edge. However, Spurs adapted with personnel changes and a compact midfield, gradually reclaiming control and winning crucial duels, exposing City’s vulnerability. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s interventions prevented a possible defeat.

City’s current form shows only one win in their past six league matches, leaving them six points behind leaders Arsenal. Experts argue that while City possess the talent and experience to recover, their inconsistent mindset and second-half lapses could jeopardize their title challenge if not addressed.

Murphy emphasized that City’s decline in performance after gaining leads is not due to a lack of quality but “a mindset issue” among some players, which must be rectified to sustain a championship-winning campaign.

With inputs from BBC