'We have limits because of FFP': Pep Guardiola defends Manchester City's transfer spending

City get Premier League title defence off to losing start at Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min, second left, celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game against Manchester City on Sunday, August 15.

Manchester City's Jack Grealish after missing a chance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Referee Anthony Taylor shows Lucas Moura a yellow card.

City's Jack Grealish on the attack.

Steven Bergwijn misses a chance for Tottenham.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

City's Jack Grealish shoots at goal.

Son Heung-min celebrates his goal.

Tottenham's Steven Bergwijn after missing a chance.

Son Heung-min scores the only goal of the game for Spurs.

City goalkeeper Ederson watches Son Heung-min's strike roll into the net.

Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris celebrates Son Heung-min's goal.

Pep Guardiola has defended Manchester City's transfer outlay this summer, saying the club are in compliance with Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

The reigning Premier League champions began their title defence with a 1-0 defeat away to Tottenham on Sunday, despite boasting record signing Jack Grealish, who joined from Aston Villa this month.

City are also pursuing long-term target Harry Kane. The Spurs striker was left out of the squad by new Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo for Sunday's victory as Kane continues to hold out for a move to City.

The North London club are holding out for a fee in excess of £150 million for their talisman, a fee City feel is excessive in today's financial climate. The transfer window closes on August 31.

FFP rules were introduced by European governing body Uefa in 2009 to prevent clubs spending beyond their means and distorting the market, requiring teams to break even and keep wages and transfer fees in line with income.

City had a two-year suspension from European football overturned by Court of Arbitration for Sport in July last year after it ruled City did not breach FFP rules.

The club's spending has raised questions again after they signed Grealish for £100 million - a record between two British clubs - but Guardiola said the deal was possible because City had generated £60 million in player sales over the past 12 months.

Jack Grealish of Manchester City looks dejected.

Among the departures from City include record-scorer Sergio Aguero, who joined Barcelona over the summer on a free transfer, RB Leipzig turned left-back Angelino's loan into a permanent deal for €18 million while Jack Harrison joined Leeds United for €12.8 million.

"We have limits because of FFP," Guardiola said ahead of Sunday's defeat to Tottenham. "We are on the same page like everyone. After that, each club decides what they want to do.

"Every season we have passed the controls that are there for everyone. If we are wrong, prove it.

"I have said before, there are owners who want the benefits for themselves. Our owners don't want to lose money but if they can spend, they will."

TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris: 6 - The goalkeeper had little to do but looked shaky on occasion when coming out to collect aerial deliveries.

Japhet Tanganga: 9 - Tasked with keeping both Grealish and Sterling quiet, the youngster did his job well. He would often go tight to the two wingers, making sure he was aggressive to stop them before they had a chance to turn towards goal.

Davinson Sanchez: 8 - With a lot of the threat coming down his side, Sanchez sweeped up behind Tanganga well and denied City on many occasions.

Eric Dier: 7 - Dier had a relatively comfortable game, leading well from the back and not having to make any last ditch efforts to keep his side from conceding.

Sergio Reguilon: 7 - The left-back had the job of denying Mahrez from cutting in on his cultured left foot and did so on most occasions. He kept the winger quiet throughout but had few chances to go on the attack with his side.

Oliver Skipp: 6 - Skipp had a shaky start to the game, much like his side on a whole. He made a few rash challenges to begin with but he grew into the game as it wore on.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 7 - The Danish international continued his good form from last season, controlling the midfield well both on and off the ball.

Steven Bergwijn: 6 - The winger was the quieter of a front three that caused problems for City on the counter but he still looked dangerous when given a chance to run into space.

Dele Alli: 7 - The midfielder had little impact earlt in the game but grew in influence, picking up the occasional pocket of space and launching counters.

Lucas Moura: 7 - The 29-year-old was a big asset to Spurs on the counter. He would often drive his team forward after picking up the ball in the midfield to start an attack.

Son Heung-Min: 8 - The forward started the game apprehensively, not taking on his man one-on-one. However, his influence grew in the game and he rounded it off with a great finish from the edge of the box.

SUBS: Giovani Lo Celso (For Bergwijn 77’): N/A - The midfielder came on to bolster their bodies in the middle of the park as Tottenham looked to see out the game. He pressed well, being the fresher of the midfield trio.

Matt Doherty (For Tanganga 83’): N/A - Doherty slotted into right-back for the dying embers of the game. He didn’t put a foot wrong, ushering Grealish on his side well.

Cristian Romero (For Hojbjerg 89’): N/A - Romero made his debut from the bench for the injured Hojbjerg as he helped his side get over the line for the victory.

MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson: 4 - The goalkeeper had little to do but could and should have done more to deny Son’s goal from the edge of the box. Instead, he didn’t move as the home side took the lead.

Benjamin Mendy: 4 - The left-back was often caught out defensively in transition when Spurs looked to counter. A lot of the space was on his side where he wasn’t tracking back. He also offered little in an attacking sense during the game.

Nathan Ake: 5 - With a lot of the threat down his side, Ake started well to deny Spurs on a few occasions but showed Son inside for his strike, allowing the forward to move the ball onto his left to score.

Ruben Dias: 6 - The centre-back mainly had to cover and sweep up when dealing with counter attacks, making a few clearances and blocks when called upon for his side.

Joao Cancelo: 7 - The right-back looked the most assured of the back line in defence and attack. He won the majority of his duels and looked threatening when bringing the ball forward.

Ilkay Gundogan: 6 - Made a key block in the first half to deny Tottenham from taking the lead but his forays up the pitch often left his midfield partner stranded when hit on the counter.

Fernandinho: 7 - The ball-winning midfielder did what he did best to stop the Tottenham counter, making crucial interceptions on several occasions.

Jack Grealish: 6 - On his Premier League debut for Manchester City, Grealish showed glimpses of what he can do, bursting into the box with danger and intent. However, he struggled to find some end product.

Raheem Sterling: 5 - On the back of an impressive summer with England, Sterling wasn’t able to replicate the form he showed at the Euros. He got into a few dangerous positions but couldn’t drive his team forward when they needed it most.

Ferran Torres: 5 -The makeshift striker looked proactive in his approach, covering a lot of space, but unable to make chances count when he got a good opportunity to score.

Riyad Mahrez: 6 - Had a quiet game for his club with a lot of the play going down the opposite flank. He tried to cut in on a few occasions to no avail but he still looked a threat before being subbed off.

SUBS: Gabriel Jesus (For Sterling 70‘): 5 - Had little service after coming on in an attempt to change the game for Pep Guardiola. He wasn’t able to have a direct impact in the final third.

Kevin De Bruyne (For Mahrez 80’): N/A - Following a summer of international football with Belgium, De Bruyne wasn’t fully fit to start but was hoping to make an impact when called off the bench. He had little time to do so.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (For Mendy 80’): N/R - Replaced Mendy as they looked to come back. He couldn’t have the desired impact, crossing from poor positions.

Even with an array of attacking threats on the pitch and £340 million worth of talent sat on the bench, City were listless and lacking a cutting edge at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The display will make the signing of Tottenham's absent striker Kane even more pressing. Guardiola would not be drawn on the Kane debate after the match, but praised new boy Grealish.

"He was excellent. He played with a personality and created chances. Unfortunately we could not win for him for his debut but he played really well," the Spaniard said.

"In terms of give me the ball he doesn't lose the ball, he is so dangerous close to the box."

City have now lost all four games they have played at Tottenham's new stadium without scoring, including three in the Premier League.

"Spurs are a tough rival for us, always I have the feeling that we are good here but we cannot get results because they punish you in transitions," Guardiola said.

"Most of the players have 90 minutes in the legs, we have a long week to prepare to face Norwich and hopefully the players can come back step by step.

"I see very very good things. I know the result is not good but I saw many many good things that will help us in the future to get better."