PLAYER RATINGS: Phil Foden keeps producing the big moments and Son Heung-min fluffed his lines… but which Spurs duo scored just 5/10?
Manchester City regained their position at the top of the Premier League and took a two-point lead over Arsenal after Erling Haaland scored twice to give Pep Guardiola’s side a 2-0 win against Tottenham on Tuesday evening.
For Spurs, the defeat means they will now miss out on Champions League qualification next season, with Aston Villa five points clear of Ange Postecoglou’s side in fourth place with a game in hand.
A cagey first half saw both goalkeepers spring into action, with Guglielmo Vicario producing a sensational save to deny Phil Foden’s goal. At the other end of the pitch, Ederson denied Spurs an opener after Brennan Johnson muscled his way into the Man City penalty area before unleashing a strike into the bottom right corner of the goal which the Brazilian sensationally kept out. He would later be substituted after suffering head injuries in a sickening collision with Cristian Romero.
Spurs were ultimately undone by poor defending, with Kevin De Bruyne freed on the right side of the penalty area before firing a brilliant pass across goal which Haaland gratefully tapped in. The Norwegian striker would return to score from the penalty spot later in the second half to seal the 2-0 win.
Mail Sport’s Jack Gaughan delivers his player ratings from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Phil Foden was once again the star performer as Man City returned to the top of the Premier League
Erling Haaland (below) scored twice to help his side secure a 2-0 win against Tottenham
TOTTENHAM (4-3-3)
Guglielmo Vicario-7
Two stunning saves, first Phil Foden from close range and then a reflex stop from Kevin De Bruyne.
Pedro Porro – 5
I never looked particularly comfortable all night long. Not his usual progressive self in attack areas. Gave away a late penalty.
Cristian Romero-5
Such a weak challenge in a 50-50 against Foden contributed to Erling Haaland’s goal in the 52nd minute. Not strong enough anywhere.
Radu Dragusin – 6.5
Although it was ultimately offside, one big header felt like a big moment in his Spurs career. Dealt well with runners.
Micky from the Ven-6
The center half operated on the left side and it showed. The Dutchman moved to the middle to create space.
Guglielmo Vicario denied Phil Foden from close range with a stunning save in the first half
Radu Dragusin (right) handled City’s runners well and showed his defensive qualities tonight
Cristian Romero (right) was responsible for Erling Haaland’s (left) first goal in the 52nd minute
Pedro Porro looked out of sorts all evening and wasn’t his usual progressive self
Rodrigo Bentancur – 6
An early attack stung Ederson’s palms. One big moment when he chose the wrong pass when Spurs had men visiting. And was doing a number on his seat when he was hooked by the manager.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 7
A dreadful attempt to convert Foden’s early chance, but he put himself aside and left City with a physical problem.
Pape Matar Sarr (right) was asked to make a huge shift as a false nine, but doubled in midfield
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg pushed himself and gave City a physical problem throughout
James Maddison was a Tottenham player who really took the game to City all game long
Brennan Johnson-7
A threat on the right for the hosts. Tenacious runner even when he presses high up the field.
James Maddison-7
Neat and tidy as the hosts looked to move a fast ball and were the ones to really take the game to City.
Heung-min-son – 5.5
Fairly quiet, which is Kyle Walker’s merit. A half-chance just after the break was swept away by Ederson before he had a huge chance late on when he botched his lines.
Pape Matar Sarr – 6.5
Asked to make one big shift as a false nine, but he doubled with Maddison in midfield. At one point even caught in the middle back.
To Kyle Walker’s credit, Son Heung-min (pictured) was relatively quiet, with the Spurs forward missing a big chance late in the game
Ange Postecoglou cut a frustrated figure on a full-time basis as his side failed to qualify for the Champions League
Subs
Dejan Kulusevski (for Bentancur, 55) – 7
Giovani Lo Celso (for Sarr, 85)
Oliver Skipp (for Hojbjerg, 85)
Mikey Moore (for Madison, 90)
MAN CITY (4-2-3-1)
Ederson-7
Top early save to thwart Bentancur. Absolutely furious to be substituted after Romero bumped into him.
Kyle Walker-7
Given North London’s freedom on the right, but the decision-making in the final third let him down. However, the defense was very good.
Ruben Dias – 7
Talked City through some difficult periods on the night, which is his main role in that back four.
Manuel Akanji-7
One quietly effective defense seemed to sum up Akanji. With fifteen minutes to go, Johnson seemed to be gone, but the Swiss were able to get him off without any fuss. But then Son City’s big chance almost cost a lot of money.
Josko Gvardiol – 6.5
It seemed City’s brightest outlet in the first half as he looked to continue his fine form. It could have been more solid going the other way.
Rodri-6
The number of passes completed had fallen to an unusually low 86 percent before halftime. Later in the match he turned his head back on.
Mateo Kovacic – 5.5
Guilty for not choosing the right option too many times in a game that was faster than expected.
Bernardo Silva-6
Not Saturday’s controlling performance at Fulham. Much improved after the break, a reflection of City as a whole.
Kevin De Bruyne – 6.5
A theme very similar to his season: seemingly something boiling over and ending with another assist. That is ten in the competition from seventeen appearances. Ridiculous numbers.
Phil Foden – 8
Once again he provided the big moments when he defeated Romero. And then the ball for Jeremy Doku to win the penalty. Energy, guile and courage. So important to this team.
Erling Haaland – 7.5
Big physical fight against Romero. Did well – again – and made sure he was there to tap in De Bruyne’s cross. Twenty-six in the league then, 27 when he sent the penalty.
Subs
Stefan Ortega (for Ederson, 69) – 7.5
Jeremy Doku (for De Bruyne, 69) – 7
Julian Alvarez (for Haaland, 90)