Match Report: Manchester City 4-2 Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League)

Manchester City produced a stunning second half comeback to beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s side had suffered defeats to Southampton and rivals Manchester United coming into Thursday’s encounter but returned to winning ways.

After a timid opening display, the game burst into life towards the end of the first half, with Tottenham scoring a quick-fire double through Dejan Kulusevski and Emerson Royal to down City.

The home side raced out of the blocks following the break and Julian Alvarez netted early on to give hope, before his strike partner Erling Haaland ended his miniature goal drought, heading City level shortly after.

It was inevitable that Pep Guardiola’s men would then take the lead, as Spurs who are so famous for putting the pressure on, caved under it.

Riyad Mahrez’s fierce shot put the Citizens in front before his second of the match, a delightful chip, ensured the win.

The result means Manchester City maintain their position of second in the Premier League table, trailing leaders Arsenal by five points.

A timid first 20 minutes saw very little action in the way of opportunities, with the only play of note being a yellow card for Riyad Mahrez for a foul on Dejan Kulusevski.

The next highlight came as Jack Grealish received a standing ovation for single-handedly preventing a classic Heung-min Son run forward with a sliding challenge.

Rico Lewis long-range effort almost broke the deadlock but the young Englishman’s deflected shot was saved by Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Manchester City then went close again with a header from Erling Haaland, but the Norwegian’s attempt flew over the bar. Spurs then took the lead as Ederson saw his misplaced pass converted by Kulusevski, creating more misery for a City side and fanbase.

This lead was doubled in mere minutes as Emerson Royal added a second from close range, meaning City went into the break two goals down.

Manchester City came out strongly at the start of the second half and Julian Alvarez scored from a scramble within the Spurs box, to give his side hope.

Hope turned to belief as the Premier League champions got their very own quickfire double as Haaland netted a close-range header to dramatically equal the scores. Evidently it was quite the Pep talk at half-time with City attacking time and time again in search of the lead.

All of the home side’s good work to get back into the game was almost undone as a third goal was nearly scored by Ivan Perisic but a vital block from Lewis saw the effort safely onto the woodwork.

UNBELIEVABLE. Yes, we are leaving that in this match report. From two goals down, the Citizens clawed their way back to see themselves in front.

Manchester City took the lead as Mahrez scored a tremendous solo goal, seeing his powerful shot beat Lloris at the Frenchman’s near post. Captain Ilkay Gundogan was then replaced by Bernardo Silva in the midfield as Guardiola looked to ensure the win. Lewis was also brought off, seeing his night ended by the arrival of former Spurs man Kyle Walker.

Questionable refereeing almost cost City the three points but the Manchester team stayed strong through adversity to grab the victory, thanks to another goal from Mahrez. The Algerian produced a brilliant chip to beat Lloris and confirm the ultimate comeback.

Haaland was then replaced by Ruben Dias for the final few minutes before full time.

This marked the Citizen’s first win in three home Premier League games and their first in 2023, as City’s previous two home league fixtures ended in a loss and a draw at the backend of last year.

Manchester City are next in action on Sunday afternoon, with the Etihad Stadium hosting another Premier League match as Guardiola’s side take on Wolverhampton Wanderers.