Haaland scores on return as both sides squander chances

by


Erling Haaland returned to the Manchester City side to score his 2oth league goal of the season as Pep Guardiola’s side emerged with a 1-0 victory against Tottenham.

The Norwegian took just 12 minutes to grab what proved to be the only goal in a game that saw a dominant first half performance by City followed by a much-improved Spurs showing after the break.

The result moves Guardiola’s team back into the Premier League top four, while Ange Postecoglou’s men remain in 13th spot.

How the action unfolded

Tottenham were chasing a fourth successive Premier League victory. City, meanwhile, were hoping to bounce back following a 2-0 defeat to league leaders Liverpool on Sunday.

It promised to be an interesting encounter between two teams who have been among the league’s most excitingly unpredictable this term.

Even the team selections offered some early intrigue: Son Heung-min, Djed Spence, and Dejan Kulusevski all warmed the Spurs bench while there was a return to the City starting eleven for Haaland after being absent for the last two matches.

And it took less than a quarter of an hour for the returning Norwegian to find the back of the net, firing in a 20th league goal this term following Jeremy Doku’s threaded pass to give Guardiola’s side the lead.

Haaland’s finish was clinical but the Spurs backline afforded the towering striker far too much space and he confidently tapped home.

City were looking slick. But they would have been kicking themselves for not increasing their lead before the break after both Savinho and Haaland squandered good chances.

Tottenham had goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to thank for keeping the scoreline respectable, the Italian pulling off a string of important saves as Spurs looked shaky.

The second-half began in much the same fashion, with City enjoying the majority of possession and their hosts struggling to contain them.

Spurs, however, eventually started to show promise. Shortly before the hour mark, the hosts carved out a great chance to level but Wilson Odobert failed to convert Pedro Porro’s teasing ball in.

It was a spark that seemed to ignite the London side. Rodrigo Bentancur saw his header saved before Mathys Tel squandered a glorious opportunity as Spurs looked like the ones who might be left kicking themselves.

Haaland had a second goal ruled out for offside in stoppage time before, right at the death, Spurs substitute Pape Sarr headed over the bar with the goal gaping, compounding  a night of ‘what ifs’ for Spurs.

City held on for all three points in what was a classic game of two halves.




Leave a Comment