Manchester City staged a superb 4-2 comeback win against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night in the Premier League. The champions had trailed by two at the break, but came from behind to grab a vital three points in the title race.
Goals from Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland and Riyad Mahrez (2) ensured City won at the Etihad, and reduced the gap on leaders Arsenal to just five points.
City began the game on top with Haaland seeing a shot blocked inside the box, while Mahrez’s free-kick struck the ball. On 19 minutes, Ilkay Gundogan curled an effort wide from the edge of the box just before Eric Dier blocked a powerful shot from Alvarez.
Spurs grew into things a little after that and Emerson Royal blasted over from distance before Heung-min Son’s header was held by Ederson. At the opposite end, Hugo Lloris had to twice be on hand to keep out Rico Lewis’ deflected effort, and flew out off his line to smoother Erling Haaland as he bore down on goal, minutes before the no.9 headed over from a dangerous cross.
Soon after, City were made to pay for those misses. Ederson’s ill-judged pass to Rodri forced the midfielder to slide in an effort to retrieve the ball, but only succeeded in pushing it into the path of Dejan Kulusevski. The Swede took a touch and then curled the ball into the back of the net to give Spurs the lead.
Incredibly, it was 2-0 within minutes. Harry Kane created an opening with his endeavour as he slid in to win the ball near the byline ahead of Rodri, before firing towards goal. Ederson kept the ball out but pushed it right into the path of Royal, who headed it into the back of the net to the fury of the home crowd.
But within eight minutes of the second half starting City were level again. Alvarez got it going after Mahrez’s cross was met by Dier, but fell for Jack Grealish to shoot inside the box. That chance was punched by Lloris and Alvarez reacted quickest to prod into the goal. And then Haaland headed past Lloris minutes later to tie the game up, after Mahrez had initially nodded the ball across the six-yard box and into his path.
City were rampant at this stage, and Mahrez went close with a shot from the edge of the area, although Spurs did offer a threat on the break and Lewis stopped an Ivan Perisic shot virtually on the line. Mahrez had been central to everything City created at the start of the second half, and it was fitting he grabbed the goal that put the hosts ahead. The Algerian feinted inside, fooling Ben Davies, before going on the outside and driving a right-footed shot towards Lloris’ front post, which the Tottenham goalkeeper should have stopped.
The pace of the game slowed after that electric start to the second period, and it took until the 89th minute for another chance of note. Again it was Mahrez who netted, this time latching onto a long ball from Ederson, which was miscontrolled by Clement Lenglet. Mahrez waited until Lloris went to ground and then chipped it over the Frenchman to complete City’s comeback.
Here’s how we rated the players…
City began the game on top with Haaland seeing a shot blocked inside the box, while Mahrez’s free-kick struck the ball. On 19 minutes, Ilkay Gundogan curled an effort wide from the edge of the box just before Eric Dier blocked a powerful shot from Alvarez.
5. Nathan Ake- 7
Defensively solid in a difficult role. He largely kept Kulusevski quiet during the contest.
6. Rodri- 6
Played some nice passes but should have done better for Royal’s goal near the end of the first half.
7. Ilkay Gundogan- 6 (off 81)
Like a number of City players, he improved in the second period. Gundogan moved the ball quickly and faced a battle against a physical Spurs midfield.
8. Julian Alvarez- 7
Brought real energy to midfield and aided City’s pressing game. The World Cup winner was instrumental in the second-half fightback.