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Match Report and Player Ratings: Tottenham 0-2 Manchester City (Premier League)

Published:

22:24

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| Last Updated:

22:28

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Manchester City took another huge step towards their fourth successive Premier League title with a nervy 2-0 victory away at Tottenham on Tuesday evening.

Erling Haaland scored both of Manchester City’s goals, which were the first Premier League goals in this stadium for Pep Guardiola’s side, with Stefan Ortega’s save late on also crucial to the victory in north London.

The German shot-stopper was introduced after an injury to Ederson, as Manchester City moved to within one win of a fourth consecutive Premier League title.

It took Manchester City 15 minutes to have their first real opportunity at Vicario’s goal and Phil Foden looked destined to find the back of the net after a failed clearance from Cristian Romero, but the Italian made himself big to deny Foden’s volley in what was a remarkable stop.

The opening half an hour was bleak for Guardiola’s side. Miles off their usual dominating and relentless use of the football. Mistakes were being made and the creative magic we see from De Bruyne and Foden was failing to come to light.

The same could be said for the hosts in a game which lacked the bravery needed to unlock defences in the Premier League.

Bernardo Silva had an opportunity to put the Cityzens in front seconds before the half-time whistle but was denied by the head of the Romanian defender Dragusin. That chance, alongside the earlier Foden effort were the only events of note, following a dismal first half.

Six minutes into the second 45, Manchester City scored their first Premier League goal at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium as Haaland netted his 26th goal of the campaign – of course provided by Kevin De Bruyne, who now has 10 assists this season.

The number nine had an empty goal to tap the ball home after the Belgian’s sublime pass across the Spurs penalty area with pinpoint accuracy. The two have a frightening partnership and have terrified defences for the best part of two years now.

Ederson came off in the second-half due to injury concerns and was replaced by Ortega, but it may have been a swap that saved the game for the Sky Blues as he denied Tottenham on multiple occasions – two stops from Kulusevski and one from Heung-Min Son in the final minutes which had the travelling fans hearts in their mouths. A tremendous save from the German!

Just moments later, another substitute, this time Jeremy Doku earnt a penalty for the league leaders which Haaland dispatched effectively into the top corner for the second of the game.

When it looked like City could drop points, they went up the other end and secured all three. That is what serial winners do.

Manchester City will face West Ham on the final day of the 2023/24 season at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. A game you can not miss.

Player Ratings:

Ederson – 6

Played okay before coming off. Distributed well.

Josko Gvardiol – 7

Really grown into the City team of late and looks powerful on the ball. Is a threat at the back post.

Ruben Dias – 4

One of his poorer games in a City shirt and misplaced a few too many passes.

Manuel Akanji – 5.5

Nearly gave the lead away after Son nicked the ball off him but was okay apart from that incident.

Kyle Walker – 7

Was a threat on the right in the first-half, just lacked the end product.

Rodri – 8

Mr Calm. Had a much better second-half than the first and dictated the game.

Mateo Kovacic – 7

Had a relatively quiet game but did his job effectively and managed the midfield.

Bernardo Silva – 7

A handful on the edge of the box for any defence and retained the ball in their third.

Kevin De Bruyne – 8

Tremendous assist and was always looking to make a breakthrough when he was on the pitch.

Phil Foden – 8

Played a key role in the winning of the penalty and wears the City shirt with pride.

Erling Haaland – 9

The difference maker in the big game. Scores goals when City need him most.

Substitutes:

Jermey Doku – 8

Lightening quick on the left and won the penalty for the second goal.

Stefan Ortega Moreno – 8

Made some superb saves off the bench and may have saved the game after Son’s chance.

Julian Alvarez – 6

Wasn’t on the pitch for long enough to make an impact but did his job.

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