JACK GAUGHAN: Guardiola forced to swap control for chaotic blitz as Man City reignite title hopes

So Pep Guardiola seemed to be right again. The three minutes in which it seemed that the world was collapsing seem to serve as a vindication to the Manchester City coach.

He doesn’t like to play with such abandon in attack. He doesn’t like to go so vertical so fast. Because, for him, City lose control of the games when they play like this.

Given the nature of Tottenham’s two first-half goals (bang, bang before Ederson could even contemplate apologizing for the first), that’s exactly what happened last night. The result was that they headed into the tunnel to boo at half-time. They are usually never booed.

Pep Guardiola traded control for a chaotic blitz as Manchester City claimed an impressive victory

The irony was that City looked more dangerous, possessing more fervor on the ball, than they had in a long time, including in a four-goal win over Chelsea earlier in the month. While it wasn’t reflected on the scoreboard, it looked like the decision to insert Julian Alvarez behind Erling Haaland was paying off.

Haaland was alive for the pass over the top of a Spurs back five, once reaching Nathan Ake’s angled chip but couldn’t beat Hugo Lloris. Perhaps before the World Cup, and a forced rest that stunted his rhythm, he passes to the goalkeeper. Not last night, not when his head collided with Rodri’s smart center but flew over.

But City were making a statement, that they hadn’t forgotten how to take on the opposition with pace and grit, unafraid of lobbing the odd ball into the box for the big man to size up. The rewards for that would come later, though not before they could drop 11 points behind Arsenal.

Riyad Mahrez scored a brace as he inspired Manchester City to a comeback win over Tottenham

The problem with all that flying forward, in Guardiola’s eyes, is that the court gets a bit creaky and looks like a basketball game. He has never wanted one of those. Not good for blood pressure; or knees, since he spends most of the game crouched and anguished.

Their philosophy is that if they have the ball rolling, the opposition simply can’t score and therefore they can’t lose. The problem with City recently is that they haven’t done enough anyway.

They did it last night, but then they were delivered in midfield and conceded the kind of goals usually reserved for the inglorious Champions League defeats of years past, the ones that still give Guardiola nightmares and have shaped his thoughts ever since.

Julián Álvarez scored the first goal at the start of Manchester City’s comeback at the Etihad

But it’s significantly more fun. And City has the stardust to sprinkle fun. Supporters will remember this comeback, the blitz once the embattled Simon Hooper blew his whistle for a restart. Haaland’s header. Rico Lewis’ impressive block. Riyad Mahrez’s goals.

They wouldn’t necessarily remember how they crushed Spurs to win 2-0. Guardiola is here to make far greater memories, of course, but perhaps there is evidence here that if they are going to struggle to recapture this title, the defending champions could do it too by bringing bodies to Haaland with energy.

Play to your strengths, of which he most certainly is.

Erling Haaland (pictured) found the back of the net with a header early in the second half