'Man City are quite vulnerable at this moment in time'

Manchester City's struggles with physicality in midfield is leaving them "vulnerable" on the counter-attack, says former City captain Steph Houghton.

Pep Guardiola's side were hit multiple times on the break by Tottenham as they succumbed to a 4-0 defeat - and their fifth successive loss.

Losing Ballon d'Or winner Rodri to a serious knee injury has had a big impact on the side and they were also without Mateo Kovacic in midfield against Spurs, relying on 34-year-old Ilkay Gundogan instead.

Discussing Manchester City's difficulties on Match of the Day 2, Houghton said: "In terms of the game on Saturday, they started really well, they created a lot of chances, but when you play a Spurs team that are able to play the way they did on the counter, that is where Manchester City are quite vulnerable at this moment in time.

"On those transitions, in terms of physicality in midfield, we talk about Rodri and Kovacic has done really well this season, but in terms of that physicality they have really struggled in dealing with that.

"Sometimes it feels as though every chance teams are getting at the moment it is going in the back of the net. But, they are so experienced at this level in what it takes to win and hopefully they can bounce back in the next few games.

"It is very unlike Manchester City to be on this kind of form."

Watch the full discussion on BBC iPlayer