James Trafford error, João Palhinha goal; Pep Guardiola goalkeeper decision; Manchester City vs Tottenham

With his face down, Pep Guardiola's reaction said it all after an embarrassing gaffe from goalkeeper James Trafford handed Tottenham a 2-0 lead against his Manchester City side.

Just before half-time, Trafford had the ball at his feet right in front of goal with Spurs pressing. His pass was intercepted in what commentator Jon Champion called a "horrendous moment".

Tottenham's Richarlison couldn't control the ball as it floated around the box before João Palhinha struck the ball into the back of the net.

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"Manchester City have only got themselves to blame ... Trafford caught in the most uncomfortable of spotlights," Champion said.

James Trafford struggles to hold the ball while Pep Guardiola reacts during the game. Stan Sport/Getty

Trafford was selected ahead of City's goalkeeper of eight years, Ederson.

The 22-year-old is a new signing from Burnley and kept a clean sheet last week against Wolves to hold on to his spot. Ederson missed the first clash due to illness but was sitting on the bench as Trafford's horror error unfolded.

"The way Pep Guardiola just hung his head there, I just wonder if he's thinking it should have been Ederson. It's certainly backfired here," Jim Beglin said.

Pep Guardiola hangs his head after James Trafford's error. Stan Sport

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"... (Trafford), he's just been caught in indecisive mode here ... 1-0 would've been bad enough but 2-0, and to do it in that way, is a problem."

Former Socceroo Craig Foster applauded the work of new Tottenham coach Thomas Frank in creating the chance for the second goal.

"It's an awful pass into the press, Thomas Frank's set-up in the first half has worked perfectly," he said on Stan's half-time coverage.

Tottenham's goal earlier came through Brennan Johnson in the 35th minute after Richarlison crossed into the box and the Welsh star put it away.

VAR examined whether it was offside but eventually awarded the goal.

No goals followed in the second half with Spurs winning 2-0 to start the Premier League with two wins in a row.

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