Manchester City 4-2 Tottenham Hotspur: Erling Haaland scores, Riyad Mahrez gets double to complete stunning comeback win
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ByEurosport
Updated 19/01/2023 at 22:24 GMT
Both Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur came into this clash hoping to recover after difficult defeats in their respective derbies. However it is the former who will be going home happier on Thursday evening after coming from two goals down to complete a stunning 4-2 victory thanks to goals from Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez and Riyad Mahrez.
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Manchester City came from two goals down to see off Tottenham 4-2 and close the gap on leaders Arsenal in a Premier League classic at the Etihad.
Both sides were hoping to bounce back after respective derby defeats at the weekend, but it was Spurs who drew blood first with opening half goals by Dejan Kulusevski and Emerson Royal.
City responded immediately after the break through Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland before Riyad Mahrez completed the turnaround with a brace.
The first half had been a cagey affair with the first attempt on target not coming until the 36th minute when Son Heung-min's tame header was saved by City goalkeeper Ederson.
City’s promising youngster Rico Lewis' deflected effort from distance then forced Hugo Lloris into a fine save.
But the game sparked into life as Spurs grabbed two goals in two minutes on the stroke of half-time.
Ederson was left red faced when he tried to play the ball out to Rodri but he was quickly closed down by Rodrigo Bentancur, leaving Kulusevski with a simple finish.
Just two minutes of stoppage-time was played, but there was still time for Spurs to double their advantage when Ederson could only parry Harry Kane’s shot and Emerson was in position to head in the rebound.
Pep Guardiola resisted the temptation to introduce Kevin De Bruyne or switch tactics despite the fact his players were booed off at half-time.
And he was rewarded because within eight minutes of the restart they had restored parity. Alvarez scrambled home following a cross from Mahrez to halve the deficit before Haaland levelled with a poacher’s header.
Ivan Perisic may have restored Spurs’ lead but his goal-bound shot was deflected onto the woodwork by the excellent Lewis.
It was fitting that Mahrez – at the centre of City’s first two goals – would complete the turnaround as he beat Lloris at his near post with an arrowed shot and scored another to make it four late on.
With the victory, City close the gap on Arsenal to five points although they have played a game more. Tottenham, however, remain five points adrift of the top-four.
Talking point - City came out on top in thriller
Trailing by two goals at the break, City supporters voiced their dismay by booing their own players as they trudged off down the tunnel. And after receiving the hairdryer treatment by Guardiola, they emerged as a team transformed, turning on the style and completing a comeback in a dazzling 18-minute display. It served a reminder of not only City’s attacking threat but Spurs’ vulnerability in defence and their fragile mindset.
For the duration of the half-time break, Arsenal fans would have been rejoicing and embracing their most bitter rivals’ performance; by full-time they will have been cursing them. And, after a glance at the league table, they may well be left sweating with a home match against the in-form Manchester United to come this weekend.
City showed absolutely no sign of caving into pressure, though. Over the years, we have become accustomed to them pulling a remarkable string of wins together to help them to the league title – could tonight prove to be a turning point in the Citizens' season?
Player of the match – Riyad Mahrez (Man City)
Took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half, playing a part in both goals before firing City in front and wrapping it up with his brace.
Player ratings
Man City: Ederson 5, Stones 6, Akanji 5, Ake 7, Lewis 7, Rodri 6, Gundogan 6, Mahrez 9*, Alvarez 8, Haaland 7, Grealish 6.. subs: Walker N/A, Dias N/A, Silva N/A.
Tottenham: Lloris 5, Emerson 6, Romero 6, Dier 6, Davies 6, Perisic 6, Hojbjerg 6, Bentancur 6, Kulusevski 7, Kane 7, Son 5.. subs: Richarlison N/A, Sessegnon 5, Lenglet N/A, Bissouma N/A.
Match highlights
44' - GOAL! MAN CITY 0-1 TOTTENHAM (DEJAN KULUSEVSKI): It's a howler from Ederson! The City goalkeeper tries to roll the ball into the feet of Rodri, but he's quickly closed down and Kulusevski is left with a simple finish!
45'+2 - GOAL! MAN CITY 0-2 TOTTENHAM (EMERSON ROYAL): Tottenham are in dreamland here! Kane keeps an attack alive with a sliding challenge on Rodri before he looks up and shoots from a tight angle. Ederson makes the save but Emerson is quickly on the rebound, heading into the empty net!
51' - GOAL! MAN CITY 1-2 TOTTENHAM (JULIAN ALVAREZ): Exactly the start to the second half Pep would have demanded from his side! Mahrez drives to the by-line and gets the ball in the box. Tottenham frantically try to clear it but again Lloris is caught in no man's land and eventually Alvarez hammers it home.
53' - GOAL! MAN CITY 2-2 TOTTENHAM (ERLING HAALAND): Haaland brings an end to his mini-drought with the equaliser! Mahrez is at the heart of it again, playing a one-two with Rodri as he nods it across the face of goal to set up Haaland who heads home from point-blank range. Wow!
59' - HOW HAS THAT NOT GONE IN?! Kulusevksi leads a Spurs attack as he pulls the ball back to Perisic who must score... but his first-time shot is deflected by Lewis and onto the crossbar!
63' - GOAL! MAN CITY 3-2 TOTTENHAM (RIYAD MAHREZ): Unbelievable scenes at the Etihad! Mahrez leaves Perisic in his wake as he bursts into the penalty area and arrows a shot past Lloris at his near post! It may have taken a slight deflection - but City won't care.
90' - GOAL! MAN CITY 4-2 TOTTENHAM (RIYAD MAHREZ): That will seal it! Mahrez, tonight's Player of the Match, wraps it up with a brace. He takes full advantage of Lenglet's poor defending as he runs in behind and lifts it over Lloris.
Key stats
- There were just two minutes and eight seconds between Tottenham's first and second goals this evening, and then two minutes and nine seconds between Man City's first and second goals in reply.
- Erling Haaland has scored 22 Premier League goals this season, the most a player has scored in a campaign in the competition under Pep Guardiola. Only Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o and Robert Lewandowski have scored more in a single top-flight season under the Spaniard.
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