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Erling Haaland’s brace moved Manchester City to the brink of an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title following a hard-earned 2-0 win over Tottenham.
Haaland struck twice in the second half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Pep Guardiola’s side leapfrogged Arsenal and moved two points clear at the summit heading into the final day of the season.
The goalkeepers came to the rescue of both sides in a low-key first half of few opportunities, with Rodrigo Bentancur and Phil Foden both denied.
City looked more purposeful after the break and went close within two minutes of the restart, as Giuglielmo Vicario produced a wonderful reflex save to keep out Kevin De Bruyne’s fierce strike.
However, the Italian was powerless as the visitors broke through four minutes later. De Bruyne was involved again, timing his run brilliantly to latch onto Bernardo Silva’s pass and squaring for the unmarked Haaland to tap in.
Spurs saw a great opportunity to equalise go begging with four minutes remaining. Brennan Johnson intercepted Manuel Akanji’s sloppy pass and released Heung-Min Son, whose tame effort was blocked by Stefan Ortega.
The substitute goalkeeper’s intervention proved crucial as City sealed the points early in stoppage time, with Haaland confident sweeping a penalty into the top corner after Pedro Porro had fouled Jeremy Doku.
Talking Point – History beckons as City close in on four in a row
The record-breaking, history-making fourth straight Premier League title is now City’s to lose as they regained control at the home of Arsenal’s most bitter rivals.
It is worth remembering Guardiola’s side had lost on each of their four previous visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while failing to score on each occasion.
However, the hoodoo was finally ended as Haaland broke the deadlock with what was City’s 79th attempt on goal since their maiden trip to the stadium.
And although they survived a heart-stopping moment with Ortega keeping out Son, their number nine sealed an eighth straight win from the penalty spot.
The Citizens have also won four straight away top-flight matches without conceding for the first time in their history, though it goes without saying they have slightly bigger targets on the horizon.
Meanwhile, it was a bad night all round for north London. Not only have Arsenal slipped to second in the table with the destiny of the title no longer in their hands, but Spurs’ hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League are also over.
Player of the Match – Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
An honourable mention goes to Ortega, while Kulusevski also made a hugely positive difference for Spurs after coming on.
However, Haaland was in the right places at the right times when it really mattered for City – with an instinctive tap-in and emphatic penalty.
Taking his goal tally for the season to 27, he is the first Citizens played to score two or more goals away against Spurs in the Premier League since Edin Dzeko bagged four at White Hart Lane in August 2011.
Player Ratings
Tottenham: Vicario 8, Porro 7, Romero 7, Dragusin 7, Van de Ven 6, Bentancur 6, Hojbjerg 5, Sarr 6, Johnson 7, Son 7, Maddison 7. Subs: Kulusevski 8, Skipp N/A, Lo Celso N/A, Moore N/A.
Man City: Ederson 7, Walker 7, Akanji 7, Dias 7, Gvardiol 7, Kovacic 7, Rodri 7, Silva 7, De Bruyne 8, Foden 7, Haaland 8*. Subs: Ortega 8, Doku 7, Alvarez N/A.
Match Highlights
6′ – GOOD SAVE: A brilliant switch of play by Hojbjerg finds Johnson in space on the right wing. The former Nottingham Forest man tees up Bentancur, whose fierce strike from just inside the box is parried over by Ederson.
16′ – GREAT SAVE: Spurs are sloppy and present a golden opportunity to Foden after Hojbjerg slices his attempted clearance straight into the England midfielder’s path. However, Vicario comes to the hosts’ rescue, making himself tall to block his volley on goal.
47′ – GOOD EFFORT: Spurs are sloppy inside their own penalty area with Akanji quick to pounce on Hojbjerg’s loose ball. It is teed up for De Bruyne to strike on the turn, but Vicario springs across to palm away the fierce attempt.
51′ – GOAL!!! TOTTENHAM 0-1 MANCHESTER CITY (HAALAND): City hit the front at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium! Although Foden’s initial cross evades everyone, Silva keeps the attack alive. He releases De Bruyne, who subsequently delivers a delicious low ball across the six-yard box, providing the unmarked Haaland with a tap-in.
86′ – WHAT A CHANCE: That is a huge let-off for City! Johnson pounces on Akanji’s sloppiness and releases Son, who accelerates away from Walker. The Spurs skipper only has Ortega to beat, but sends a tame effort straight at the City goalkeeper. Guardiola falls to the ground as he breathes a huge sigh of relief.
90′ – PENALTY TO CITY: The visitors quickly counter and Foden finds Doku, who is bundled over by Porro. The referee swiftly points to the spot, and City could well take a huge stride towards sealing the title here.
90+1′ – GOAL!!! TOTTENHAM 0-2 MANCHESTER CITY (HAALAND): The points are surely in the bag now! Haaland steps up and confidently sweeps the ball into the top-right corner of Vicario, who dived the other way. The passion is evident in City’s celebrations. That fourth successive Premier League title is in sight.
