Manchester City emerged victorious 4-2 in a thriller against Tottenham Hotspur that kept their title hopes alive. The Blues found themselves 2-0 down at half-time, courtesy of a horrible error from Ederson and a collective failure to clear the ball that led to Emerson Royal putting the visitors 2-0 up. However, a goal from Julian Alvarez, a header from talisman Erling Haaland, and a wonderful brace from in-form Riyad Mahrez allowed the Blues to storm back and show they are not ready to hand over their title without a fight.
Here are my player ratings from City’s stunning comeback victory:
GK: Ederson- 4/10
A horrendous error from the Brazilian that allowed Spurs to open the scoring. I felt Ederson could have saved Kulusevkski’s shot but was beaten too easily. City’s number one will cost the Blues in knockout competitions this season as he just isn’t a competent shot-stopper.
RB: Rico Lewis- 9/10
Another coming-of-age performance, absolutely stunning. Lewis’ tactical understanding of when to hold his width and when to invert into midfield is sublime. Assured in possession, and offensively a threat when carrying the ball, Lewis is staking a claim to be City’s first-choice right-back. Fantastic.
CB: John Stones- 8/10
Stones has been City’s best defender for well over three years. The Englishman is a unicorn in terms of a centre-back profile, as Stones combines elegant ball-playing ability with genuine defensive stability. City’s number five found himself in a right of a back three for large majorities of the match however, was just as comfortable. A true Rolls-Royce of a defender.
CB: Manuel Akanji- 7.5/10
Despite not being as calm and progressive in possession as a Stones or a Laporte, Akanji was defensively superb last night and carried the ball when he needed to. Akanji completed 90% of his passes and won all three of his ground duels, an impressive performance.
LB: Nathan Ake: 8/10
Perhaps the best defensive performance all season from a City player. Imperious. Ake’s limitations offensively are still a problem, and against Wolves on Sunday, Cancelo will be the better choice to create chances against a team in a low block. Against teams in the top six, Ake is the perfect choice at full-back and provides defensive stability when Rico Lewis inverts. I expect the Dutchman to play a pivotal role in City’s Champions League campaign.
RM: Riyad Mahrez- 9.5/10- MOTM
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. The Algerian sprinkled his magic all over the second half, providing a wonderful brace and an assist to overcome the two-goal deficit and give City the three points. Mahrez was seemingly given the green light from Guardiola to express himself at half-time and Mahrez wasn’t going to be told twice. City’s number 26 is now a guaranteed starter and is a fantastic, fantastic player who has been an amazing servant in his time at City since his move from Leicester. Mahrez is hitting elite form at just the right time, as the Champions League is returning in February, and the winger is a player who is pivotal in Europe if City want to lift the trophy for the first time come May.
CM: Rodri- 8.5/10
The cog of this City side was fantastic yet again, providing an assist to Riyad Mahrez for the Blue’s third goal. Rodri completed a staggering 97/103 passes giving the Spaniard a 94% pass completion. The one stain on Rodri’s performance could perhaps have been Spur’s second goal. Was the Spaniard weak in the tackle? or was it just impressive play from Harry Kane? Overall, another dominant performance in midfield for arguably City’s Player of the Season so far.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan- 6.5/10
Another relatively quiet performance from the German. Gundogan was deployed next to Rodri and given license to roam forward and occupy the box and look to get on the end of crosses, due to the midfielder’s instinct near the penalty area. City’s number eight was ineffective in the attacking half however and was subbed off for Bernardo Silva in the 81st minute.
LM: Jack Grealish- 6.5/10
On the opposite flank, Mahrez grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and made sure City lived to fight another day in the title race. Grealish however remained laboured in his decision-making and was too hesitant in possession often squandering 1v1 scenarios in favour of the simpler pass back. The former Villa man is too conscious of critics and the media, and his hesitance to commit defenders just isn’t good enough.
CF: Julian Alvarez- 8/10
Deployed just behind talisman Erling Haaland, Alvarez was the link from midfield to attack, similar to the role he played for Argentina at the World Cup. Alvarez eliminates Haaland’s need to press constantly and often drops into midfield to receive the ball and play it out wide, allowing Haaland to stay in the six-yard box. Alvarez was superb in the second half and took his goal expertly, the Argentinian has definitely played his way into Guardiola’s plans and I would love to see him deployed in and around Haaland on Sunday against Wolves.
ST: Erling Haaland- 7.5/10
The Norwegian broke his longest goal-scoring drought in a City shirt, a mere 300 minutes and bagged his 22nd Premier League goal of the season. The most any City player has achieved in a campaign with Guardiola. Haaland should have scored a header just before Spur’s opener but when City came flying out the blocks in the second half, City’s talisman was on hand to head home. Haaland needs just 11 goals in City’s remaining 19 fixtures to beat Mohamed Salah’s record.
Substitutes:
Bernardo Silva (81) – 6/10: A few vital interceptions
Kyle Walker (85)- N/A:
Ruben Dias (90)- N/A:
Pep Guardiola- 8/10
When City emerged for the second half unchanged, City fans were scratching their heads wondering how the Blues could get back into proceedings. The answer, Guardiola giving the players the tried and tested hairdryer treatment. The City manager’s comments post-match were nothing short of sensational, and a few home truths were needed. It is yet to be seen whether the Spaniard’s comment will have the desired effect however, Guardiola still has the hunger to provide titles for Manchester City Football Club, and he won’t let anyone’s standards slip. Fantastic from the City boss.