Manchester Metropolis returned again to successful methods as they got here out victorious in a hard-fought recreation towards thirteenth place Tottenham Hotspur this night.
After a disappointing efficiency towards league leaders Liverpool, Metropolis wanted to bounce again to maintain their hopes of competing within the Champions League subsequent season alive.
Pep Guardiola’s aspect made a robust begin on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium towards a Spurs aspect decided to proceed their tremendous type.
The Blues wasted no time in testing goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, due to the darting run made by Matheus Nunes to chop it again to Erling Haaland, who’s right-footed try within the seventh minute lacked robust contact, permitting Spurs’ keeper to make a snug save.
Nevertheless, simply 5 minutes later, Metropolis managed to search out the breakthrough, and the Norwegian ahead netted the opener on his return from damage.
Jeremy Doku skipped previous former blue, Pedro Porro earlier than squaring the ball straight into Haaland. Metropolis’s quantity 9 made no mistake this time, coolly inserting his shot into the close to publish to register his twentieth Premier League objective of the season.
With this objective, the Norwegian joined a status membership, changing into solely the second participant within the historical past of the Premier League after Ruud van Nistelrooy to attain 20 or extra objectives in every of his first three seasons in England.
Metropolis continued to dictate the tempo of the sport, with Doku remaining the important thing determine within the champions attacking play. Within the twenty second minute, the Belgian winger produced one other second of brilliance, curling a exact left-footed cross into the field, placing it on a plate for Savinho who had the golden alternative to double the lead however scuffed his effort and blazed his shot properly over the bar from shut vary.
The Residents had been searching for a second objective on the half hour mark, with one other well-worked transfer noticed the ball shifted brilliantly throughout the penalty space to Doku, who teed up Haaland. This time, Vicario was ready for the striker’s effort, making a vital save to maintain the North London aspect within the recreation.
Regardless of a formidable first half exhibiting from the eight-time Premier League champions, Ange Postecoglu’s group ultimately had a uncommon sight of objective simply earlier than the half time whistle.
Pedro Porro’s threatening free-kick supply discovered Kevin Danso, who rose above the Blues’ defenders to intention a looping header in the direction of objective, forcing Ederson into motion. The Brazilian goalkeeper was alert, tipping the ball over the bar to make sure his aspect maintained their 1-0 lead heading into the break.
Tottenham got here out with a brand new vitality following the interval, always pushing ahead searching for an equalizer.
Their first actual probability got here simply wanting the hour mark via Pedro Porro who fizzed in a low ball proper throughout the face of Metropolis’s objective, however no Spurs participant was there to use the of completion.
Spurs continued to pile on the stress, with Kevin Danso powering one other header in the direction of objective on the hour, though this time it was a way more comfy save for Ederson. A minute later, ‘The Lilywhites’ got here even nearer when Odobert reduce inside and let fly, just for his effort to take a deflection and be tipped over by Metropolis’s quantity thirty-one.
The reigning champions had been struggling to realize management of the second half as Spurs intensely pressed, with Djed Spence proving to be a thorn in makeshift proper again, Matheus Nunes’ aspect.
Guardiola responded with reinforcements within the type of Bernardo Silva and final season’s PFA participant of the 12 months, Phil Foden rather than Nico Gonzalez and Omar Marmoush in an try to regain management of the sport.
Regardless of the substitutions, Spurs almost discovered their breakthrough after 75 minutes with Josko Gvardiol lacking a problem, permitting Brennan Johnson to run free. The winger clipped the ball into Dejan Kulusevski, however his contact let him down, permitting Ederson to choose up the items.
James McAtee changed a disappointing Savinho within the ninetieth minute as Metropolis appeared to see out the win, nonetheless the drama wasn’t over.
Deep into stoppage time, Erling Haaland thought he had doubled Metropolis’s lead and sealed the Blues three factors after muscling previous Danso and Archie Grey to calmly slot house. Nevertheless, after a prolonged VAR assessment, the objective was disallowed for an obvious handball, a lot to the frustration of the Metropolis striker.
The match had one ultimate dramatic second within the 98th minute with Dejan Kulusevski charging down the wing and delivering a cross to Son, who flicked it on to Pape Matar Sarr. The Senegalese midfielder was left fully unmarked within the field however despatched his header over the bar with the final assault of the sport. If his effort discovered the again of the web, the controversy could be via the roof.
Metropolis in the end held on for a 1-0 victory, securing a significant three factors of their race for Champions League Soccer regardless of a second-half enchancment from Tottenham Hotspur.
Right here is how rated the Manchester Metropolis gamers of their gritty win over Tottenham Hotspur!
Participant Rankings
Beginning XI
Ederson – 9
The Brazilian goalkeeper was excellent tonight, making essential saves that proved important within the Blues’ victory while additionally showcasing his world-class composure with the ball at his toes. His finest efficiency shortly.
Matheus Nunes – 6
Metropolis’s quantity 27 discovered himself in some good positions and made some constructive runs within the first half, nonetheless, his finish product was inconsistent and he struggled defensively within the second half.
Abdukodir Khusanov – 8
The January signing is quickly rising into one among Manchester Metropolis’s standout defenders, placing his shaky debut additional behind him with one other composed efficiency on the again.
Ruben Dias – 7
The Residents captain tonight hardly ever put a foot fallacious. His efficiency alongside Khusanov was commanding and leaves metropolis followers with pleasure surrounding the pair for the longer term.
Josko Gvardiol – 6
Gvardiol had a stable outing at left-back, contributing properly defensively, however typically might have been extra composed below stress.
Nico Gonzalez – 6
Nico appeared very in place within the Metropolis group tonight, shifting the ball effectively and serving to Metropolis management possession earlier than being substituted after 74 minutes.
Mateo Kovacic – 7
Kovacic stored issues ticking in midfield all through the sport along with his composed passing and ball retention, whereas additionally placing in some robust challenges to assist Metropolis preserve management for many of the recreation.
Omar Marmoush – 5
Metropolis’s new quantity 7 struggled to make a big impression, discovering it tough to affect Metropolis’s assault earlier than being changed by Phil Foden.
Jeremy Doku – 8
Doku was electrical within the first half, always tormenting Pedro Porro along with his direct dribbling, however he pale after the break and struggled to make the identical impression.
Savinho – 4
Savinho had a irritating outing, lacking a golden alternative to increase Metropolis’s lead and failing to make the impression followers now anticipate from the Brazilian winger.
Erling Haaland – 9
The Norwegian ahead marked his return with the sport’s solely objective and impressed along with his link-up play, showcasing his power and sharp motion regardless of his latest absence as a result of damage.
Substitutes
Phil Foden – 6
Foden got here on within the 74th minute and appeared composed below stress, shifting the ball properly in midfield in what was a gradual cameo.
Bernardo Silva – 5
Was unable to actually affect issues but additionally didn’t do something fallacious.
Jack Grealish – 5
The English winger solely performed a couple of minutes so was unable to showcase his means in that quick time-frame.
James Mcatee – 5
Much like Grealish, Mcatee got here on within the ninetieth minute and solely had the one contact.
Ilkay Gundogan – 5
The 34 12 months outdated was additionally given a brief period of time on the pitch, registering 0 touches after being subbed on within the 94th minute.