Tottenham fought back from two goals to grab a dramatic 2-2 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s City dominated for large parts of the game against an out of sorts Spurs and looked to be coasting to victory when Leroy Sane opened the scoring in the 49th minute and then Kevin De Bruyne capitalised on a Hugo Lloris error to score City’s second.
Tottenham then salvaged a way back into the game with their first shot on target through Dele Alli’s 12th goal of the season before Son Heung-Min equalised after a nice intricate bit of play by Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen.
Here are 5 things we learned from Tottenham’s fight back:
- Manchester City’s best performance of the Season so far?
Before the start of the game, Pep Guardiola named a strong attacking line-up with Sane and Sterling on the wings with David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne either side of Yaya Toure in midfield and Sergio Aguero upfront. City came out of the traps from the first minute as Tottenham could not match City’s energy and intensity. The visitors lacked composure on the ball and repeatedly presented City with openings after misplaced passes. There was only one team in the second-half and that was Guardiola’s men as they desperately wanted to atone for last weeks thrashing of Everton at Goodison Park.
Only a well-timed tackle from behind by Toby Alderweireld prevented the marauding right-back Pablo Zabaleta shooting from 12 yards out before the defender again struck narrowly wide from a corner after Hugo Lloris tipped a David Silva shot behind.
Kevin De Bruyne then shot across goal after Eric Dier was caught napping on the ball and the impressive Leroy Sane headed off target from around the penalty spot. The missed opportunities and openings left Pep Guardiola frustrated during different periods of the first half, it seemed like it was going to be a similar outcome to the unlucky defeat by League leaders Chelsea. City were rampant, in control and out sight in the first-half – the only thing that was missing was a goal.
In his pre-match press conference Guardiola stated that he wasn’t good enough for his City players but they certainly showed how much of an improvement they are trying to make under the Spaniard’s stewardship.
On the other hand, Spurs looked a completely different team to the one that had won their last six straight league matches and continued to be caught out defensively despite their record of having the best defence in the league.
2. Leroy Sane slowly coming of age under Pep Guardiola
If there is ever a positive for Guardiola during his time at the helm is the slow progression of new signing Leroy Sane. The big-money £37million pound signing from German club Schalke took a while to settle at the club but that is three big games he has made an impressive showing, firstly in a short spell against Manchester United in September, against Arsenal in the 2-1 victory and now against Tottenham. Certainly, he would have hoped for more starts this season but, whenever he has been called upon by Guardiola he certainly doesn’t disappoint. Blessed with great energy, pace, skill and quick feet – he is quite a joy to watch when he is in this mood. Against Tottenham, he grabbed his second league goal of the season but he was everywhere on the pitch for City, not only impressing in the attacking third but getting back and helping out in defence.
It was his run and anticipation of Hugo Lloris’ error that allowed him to score City’s opening goal – a goal typified by his pace and energy to chase what seemed like a lost cause from Kevin De Bruyne’s ball over the top.
Nevertheless, Pep Guardiola would have been impressed by this young man’s showing. There’s still more to come from the 21-year old. Frightening.
3. Tottenham dig deep, characteristics of potential title winners?
Mauricio Pochettino’s side would not put this display anywhere the his side’s best performances this season – but they may come to see this as a priceless point considering the amount of pressure they were under by Manchester City.
Spurs were overrun for much of the game, unsettled and caught in possession a tad too often in the first half, but showed great resilience and determination to salvage a draw they barely deserved. Pochettino will be impressed by the grit and never say die attitude they showed towards the end – although they were fortuitous not to have Kyle Walker sent off for what looked like a clear push Raheem Sterling as he was through on goal.
Spurs’ travelling fans celebrated as if this was a victory at the final whistle. Pochettino will want to leave this game in a distant memory regarding their performance on the day but some times you gotta grind out a result when you can’t win and that’s nature of a champions elect. Nonetheless the future looks bright at White Hart Lane.
4. Jesus shows Man City what he is all about in his short cameo
Before the game, Brazilian legend Rivaldo stated that Gabriel Jesus will write his name in the history books in the Premier League. He has even garnered praise from one of the greatest footballers ever to grace the game, Pele. Now, if you’re gathering praise from these too Legends then you must be blessed with an abundance of talent that is going to surely blossom in the future.
Very rarely has an eight-minute substitute appearance generated so much heat and excitement. As soon as the Brazilian starlet was introduced, he was quickly in the thick of the action after replacing Raheem Sterling, firing a dangerous low cross across the six yard box before heading inches over the bar a few moments later.
It was thrilling introduction by Jesus, and he thought he’d netted a debut winner from Kevin De Bruyne’s low cross only for it to be rightly ruled out for offside. Guardiola was on his knees in frustration at the flag on the touchline but if Gabriel Jesus’ cameo is anything to go by, is that Guardiola will have much to cheer when his new signing gets off the mark. Gabriel Jesus. Remember the name.
5. The 2016/2017 Premier League Title race is far from over
Certainly Chelsea find themselves comfortably sitting at the top of the Premier League tree right now, 8 points clear of Arsenal but if Swansea’s victory over fellow title rivals has taught us, is that there are more tales, twists and turns to go in the Premier league title race. Chelsea are sitting comfortably but they cannot afford to get complacent as we draw near to the end of the season. Also, the chasing pack cannot afford to keep dropping points as this weekend has shown with Manchester United also guilty of allowing a much needed win to slip from their fingers.
It would be criminal to plainly predict Chelsea as title winners right now, its simply too early but what an exciting few months ahead we are going to experience. Keep your eyes glued.
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