Why Oscar Bobb started for Man City vs Tottenham with Jack Grealish overlooked

Oscar Bobb was given the nod to start for Manchester City due to his ability to play in small areas. That's the message from Pep Guardiola after the Norwegian prospect was preferred to Jack Grealish in attacking quarters as City take on Tottenham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Having won the lot last season, City continue their FA Cup trophy defence against Ange Postecoglou and a much-improved Tottenham side. Tottenham have earned plaudits for their approach this season and the teams drew 3-3 recently in a high-octane Premier League showdown.

A similar head-to-head is expected in north London tonight. However, while Guardiola reckons City are braced for Tottenham and their energetic methods, the Catalan insists focus is on his side.

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"We try to be ourselves. Of course, we analyse, but mostly we try to play with what we had to do.

"It is always a tough decision [to choose the team]. No [not a reward for Oscar Bobb].

"We could have played another player, but with the small spaces they allow us to play, we needed someone who can move and play in the small space and, in there, Oscar is really good."

Bobb was named in the starting XI alongside Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez in attacking quarters as Kevin De Bruyne and Grealish found themselves on the substitutes bench. City's first-choice goalkeeper, Ederson, is also part of the matchday squad - but Stefan Ortega was the man chosen to start between the posts.

City won the FA Cup last season. They beat Manchester United in the final at Wembley as part of their treble.

Belgium captain De Bruyne (hamstring) has recently returned to action following