On Thursday in the Premier League, Manchester City overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Tottenham 4-2 and secure a potentially crucial victory. The pressure was on Manchester City going into the game because they were down after a potentially unfair derby loss in Manchester and were aware that Tottenham had defeated them three times in their previous five meetings. Additionally, you felt it. There was something unique about the early exchanges at the Etihad Stadium, even though Spurs have a reputation for having shaky starts to games under Antonio Conte. City lacked confidence and was kept at a distance despite all their possessions. At the end of the half, this anxiety burst into two rapid goals that were the result of City’s own defensive errors. Despite having all the possession and opportunities, Pep Guardiola’s team abruptly left the field after giving up goals to Dejan Kulusevski and Emerson Royal. Was it recurring now? Were Spurs going to give City another outstanding performance? It doesn’t happen often for a Conte team to lose a two-goal advantage in the second half of a game. It’s the history of Tottenham, though, as the infamous Giorgio Chiellini once stated. City, who came out flying after the interval, needed just eight minutes to bring the score back to 2-2. Against a Tottenham team that utterly capitulated, Riyad Mahrez scented blood and hauled City back onto the front foot. The Algerian finished off his Man of the Match-caliber performance by scoring a brace to give City a vital three points that just about kept them within striking distance of Premier League leaders Arsenal. The winners and losers from a somewhat strange night at Etihad Stadium are listed below. English football fans will be reminded that City is still very much in the title chase with a victory. They made their intentions clear by squeezing Spurs from behind. Additionally, City must play twice against Arsenal. It would be dangerous to write off Guardiola’s team at this point in the season. In the second half of the season, City and Arsenal might engage in a potentially fantastic and unpredictable title race. Who knows, Manchester United might still get involved and turn it into a three-way fight.
