Manchester City look to get their Premier League title charge back on track as they host Tottenham at the Etihad tonight. Pep Guardiola’s side are eight points behind Arsenal after a defeat to Manchester United, and cannot afford to give up more ground to the Gunners.
It would be a third defeat in a row for Man City should they slip up against Spurs, after a shock Carabao Cup defeat to Southampton preceded that derby defeat. They had just one shot on target across those two matches, with Erling Haaland on a rare quiet run. He starts alongside Julian Alvarez, with Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva on the bench.
Tottenham are not exactly full of confidence themselves, Antonio Conte’s side having been comfortably beaten by Arsenal on Sunday. They have though come out on top in their last two matches against Man City. Rodrigo Bentancur returns for the visitors, while Richarlison is again named among the substitutes. Follow alll the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below, featuring expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick at the ground.
Live updates
FT: Man City 4-2 Tottenham
Big win for Man City!
They close the gap to Arsenal to five points, though have played a game more.
City booed off at half-time having been two goals down, but they roar back in the second half.
90+2 mins: Four minutes added on.
And City are looking for more, Grealish to Alvarez as City flood forward. Looks to find his second goal of the match, well off target though.
GOAL! Man City 4-2 Tottenham | Riyad Mahrez 90′
THAT WILL BE THAT!
Ederson lumps the ball forward, terrible from Lenglet to pretty much just chest the ball down for Mahrez.
He’s in behind and just lifts the ball over Lloris… great finish.
88 mins: Kulusevski clips a cross in, Hojbjerg hacks it back into the box but it doesn’t fall for the three white shirts waiting.
Bit of a charge here from Spurs, City being pushed back for the first time in about 50 minutes.
Dan Kilpatrick at the Etihad
There will be talk about the performances of Perisic and Lloris in the second half but Son has been largely anonymous again.
It is a surprise Conte has kept him on, although that probably reflects the manager’s lack of options on the bench as much as anything else.
85 mins: Great work from Romero, manages to stop Haaland rolling him in the box. City striker wants a penalty but the defender definitely got the ball.
Will not surprise anyone to hear Romero was annoyed… less than impressed with Haaland’s appeals.
82 mins: Corner swung in deep for City, Rodri free at the back post and he looks to nod it back across the face of goal.
Richarlison jumps with his arms outstretched, blocks the ball…. penalty? No, and VAR agrees. Maybe just about hit his upper arm as he turned.
80 mins: Gundogan taking his sweet time in trudging off the pitch, high-fiving everyone in his path.
Eventually he makes it to the touchline, where he is met by Silva. Decent change to have for the final ten minutes.
78 mins: Grealish seeing plenty of the ball, and he definitely has the beating of Royal.
Plays it inside to Alvarez this time, who tries to slide the ball first-time through to Haaland. Doesn’t quite come off.
Double Spurs sub – Emerso and Davies off for Richarlison and Lenglet.
