Manchester City are back to winning form, and as happened previously, Erling Haaland was at the center of it all. In a fast-paced, high-intensity battle against Tottenham, Pep Guardiola's side managed to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory in London, taking the Citizens back into the Premier League's top four. It was a high-pressure, quick-game, and, of course, missed-opportunities affair, especially from the Spurs' point of view.
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The Norwegian goal-scoring machine did not plan a better return. With an unshakeable ability to score, Haaland proved once more that if he's on the pitch, things are different. Tottenham went hard, tried to mount a comeback, but was ultimately defeated by finishing and a firecracker of a performance from Ederson. Three points back to Manchester at the end of it all.
A monster in the box
Since arriving in the Premier League, Haaland has claimed every inch of the penalty area as his own hunting ground. And against Tottenham, it was no different. In the 13th minute, Doku played a low cross, and the No. 9 was there instantly to put the finishing touch on it. A traditional striker's finish, the kind that looks simple but takes perfect positioning, ice-cold composure, and a killer instinct.
The Norwegian had chances later in life, but Spurs goalkeeper Vicario was a stopper. Yet, all that was needed was one moment of precision to get the game away. It was Haaland's fourth against Tottenham, further entrenching him as their arch-nemesis.
And he nearly got another. Late in stoppage time, he scored again only for VAR to rule it out for a handball in the build-up. Controversy aside, job done.
Doku and Savinho wreak havoc down the wide areas
And while Haaland added the finishing touches, City's relentless attacking play had a lot to do with Jeremy Doku and Savinho. The wingers tore Tottenham's defense asunder, slicing through defenders, driving the tempo, and threatening chance after chance.
Doku himself was a firecracker. In a flash of brilliance that blinded everyone, he outpaced three defenders and had a shot that needed a gigantic save from Vicario. He also set up Haaland and Savinho with other threatening chances and worked hard on both sides of the field.
Savinho, meanwhile, showed he's got the potential to give headaches to any defense. He nearly scored a beauty in the first half and was controlling City's build-up, moving inside and causing problems. The Brazilian was continually fouled — just ask Bentancur and Maddison.
Tottenham created chances but lacked a finisher
Spurs weren't awful. They played with ferocity, won the possession battle, and cut out opportunities. They fashioned their best chance in the 55th minute when Porro put in a stunning cross, but Odobert, completely devoid of marking, made his run a split second too late and smashed the ball out of play. It was that type of moment that required a ruthless touch, the very thing that Tottenham were short of.
To add insult to injury, Ederson put on a goalkeeping clinic, producing crucial saves to deny Son, Porro, and Danso, as City departed with their three points.