Manchester City have once again dropped two crucial points in their 3-all draw with Tottenham. The game lived up to its billing as an open affair as both teams played attacking, possession-orientated football. The treble winners were left to rue not putting the game to bed in the first half when they dominated the game and should have been out of sight at the interval. Tottenham were arguably the better side in the second half and were full value for their point.
First half:
The game kicked off with City in the ascendancy. The hosts dominated the early possession and had Ange Postecoglu’s side on the back foot from kick-off. Yet it was Tottenham who took the lead in the 6th minute.
Spurs broke from a Manchester City corner and it was Son-Heung Min who gave the visitors the lead. A swift break left the South Korean one-on-one with Jeremy Doku and he seized the chance to fire under Ederson to give Tottenham the lead.
Their lead would only last three minutes as City were back on level terms in the 9th minute. A Julian Alvarez free kick was flicked on by Erling Haaland and Son could only divert the ball past Vicario in the Spurs goal for an own goal. It was a breathless opening 10 minutes to begin proceedings.
The European champions should have taken the lead in the 13th minute. Some strong City pressing forced Spurs into losing possession. Bernardo Silva played the ball across to Erling Haaland who somehow fired wide when it was easier to score.
The champions dominated the next 20 minutes with Jeremy Doku denied by the crossbar and post after cutting inside from the left in the 30th minute. City would take the lead only moments later.
A neat City move that involved Bernardo, Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Julian Alvarez resulted in the Argentinian playing in Foden to roll the ball in. It was a fantastic team goal and gave City the lead they deserved.
There was time for Julian Alvarez to hit the post as City attempted to put the game to bed. At half-time, the hosts led 2-1 but it should’ve been more based on the balance of play and the chances City squandered.
Second half:
The second half began with City picking up where they left off in the first. They once again forced Spurs into coughing up possession with Vicario making a wonderful save to deny Bernardo Silva.
Tottenham grew into the game and began to dominate possession after the early chance for Pep Guardiola’s side. Ange Postecoglu’s side was more of a threat and they got their reward in the 70th minute.
A well-worked move from the visitors gave Giovani Lo Celso the chance to shoot from just inside the City box. He fired his shot past Ederson’s dive to make it 2-all. On the balance of play, it was a deserved equaliser for Tottenham.
Lo Celso’s goal woke City from their slumber. 10 minutes later they retook the lead through Jack Grealish in the 81st minute. Rodri forced Tottenham into a mistake on the edge of their own box and he played through Haaland. City’s number 9 played a lovely ball across the area and Jack Grealish finished superbly to give the hosts a 3-2 lead.
Ange Postecoglu’s side wouldn’t let City’s late goal deter them. They came back again and were rewarded with their third goal of the night. The lively Brennan Johnson played in a lovely cross and Dejan Kulusevski powered his header home to earn the visitors a point.
Manchester City tried to find a winner but it wasn’t to be. A strange call was made by referee Simon Hooper when Erling Haaland played Jack Grealish through on goal. But the referee called the play back rather than let City play the advantage. The moment will become a talking point from an enthralling encounter.
Summary:
Pep Guardiola’s side will be disappointed to drop two points late on. It’s now three consecutive draws in the Premier League for the reigning champions.
Up next for City is a trip to Villa Park to face high-flying Aston Villa. They will be without Rodri and Jack Grealish who are both suspended after collecting five yellow cards so far this season.
