For 45 minutes, Manchester City looked like their old dominant selves energetic, incisive, and on the verge of tearing Tottenham apart. Erling Haaland’s return from injury provided an immediate impact, as he netted his 20th Premier League goal of the season and 28th overall, a testament to City’s first-half superiority.
Their last visit to this stadium ended in a Carabao Cup defeat, marking the beginning of a worrying spell. Before kick-off, their record stood at 14 losses in 27 games across all competitions. However, the opening half suggested a statement performance was on the horizon.
That changed after the break. City’s control waned as Tottenham grew into the game, pressing aggressively and pushing for an equalizer. The momentum had shifted, and the hosts created chances to level. The most dramatic moment arrived deep into stoppage time when Pape Sarr had the opportunity to snatch a late goal. After Son Heung-min flicked on a Pedro Porro cross, Sarr found himself in position but could not direct his header on target.
Moments earlier, VAR had disallowed what would have been Haaland’s second goal, ruling that he had gained an unfair advantage with his upper arm after a touch from Phil Foden. The decision frustrated Pep Guardiola, who felt the goal should have stood.
City’s attack had been vibrant in the first half, with Omar Marmoush, Jérémy Doku, and Savinho all making an impact. Haaland’s goal came from a well-worked move Marmoush initiated the play, Savinho linked up, and Doku’s low cross deflected into Haaland’s path, leaving him with a simple finish.
Doku was electric, unsettling the Spurs defense and testing Guglielmo Vicario, while also setting up opportunities that went begging. City should have been out of sight by halftime, but wastefulness in front of goal left the door open. Spurs supporters voiced their frustration as their team struggled to threaten, aside from a looping Kevin Danso header that Ederson tipped over.
The second half saw a revitalized Spurs side, moving the ball with greater urgency. James Maddison, despite picking up a booking for a cynical foul, played a key role in their resurgence. The introduction of Sarr, Son, Dejan Kulusevski, and Brennan Johnson injected fresh energy, underlining the improvement in their squad depth.
Spurs created openings Wilson Odobert narrowly missed a Porro cross, Destiny Udogie came close to setting up Mathys Tel, and Son forced Ederson into a save from a Johnson delivery. Sarr’s late header was the final twist, but City held on.
Guardiola acknowledged the first-half display as a glimpse of their former selves but admitted they are not yet back to their best. “Never will this season be the old City,” he said. “The old City was too good. But we’ll be back.”Haaland Strikes as Man City Edge Past Spurs to Reclaim Top-Four Spot
