Mahrez stars as City manage incredible Spurs comeback
Manchester City came back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Spurs on Thursday. The hosts completed the comeback thanks to four second half goals, two by Riyad Mahrez. Tottenham entered the halftime break with a lead, but eventually fell 4-2 on the night.
Although City dominated the early stages, they could not muster much of a threat to the Spurs goal. However, Erling Haaland had two great chances to find the back of the net in the last five minutes of the opening half. The superstar striker first saw a shot well saved by Huge Lloris, then missed an open net with a header just moments later.
Spurs strike twice at the edge of halftime
Dejan Kulusevski opened the scoring for Spurs only minutes from the Haaland miss. City shot themselves in the foot after a terrible pass from goalkeeper Ederson to Rodri. The Spanish midfielder could only get a piece of the ball, which eventually fell to Kulusevski’s feet. The Swede passed the ball by Ederson and into the net.
Spurs weren’t done scoring in the first half just yet. Emerson Royal doubled the visitor’s lead just two minutes later. The defender headed in a rebound from a Harry Kane shot directly at Ederson. Kane’s work to keep the ball in play with a fantastic slide tackle on Rodri essentially created the goal.
City storm back against Spurs to close gap in table
City, however, came out flying in the second half. The hosts responded with a goal just six minutes after the break. Chaos ensued inside the Spurs box after Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish attempted shots from close range. Julian Alvarez pounced on the loose ball and slotted it home.
Haaland then leveled the scoreline almost exactly two minutes later. The Norwegian latched on to a Mahrez cross right in front of Lloris. Haaland wouldn’t miss this time. The Premier League leading scorer now has an astounding 22 top flight goals in just 18 games.
Mahrez completed the incredible comeback with a goal in the 64th minute. It was City’s third goal in 12 minutes during the second half. The Algerian skipped passed the Spurs defense and put in a perfectly placed shot to beat Lloris at the near post. The typically quiet Etihad Stadium erupted when the ball in the back of the net.
The City winger capped off the incredible night with another goal in the 90th minute of the match. Mahrez picked Clement Lenglet’s pocket and ran free towards goal. The African then dinked the ball over a rushing Lloris to ensure the hosts won the game.
City’s victory takes the reigning champions just five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. The two clubs still have to face each other twice in the league before the campaign is completed.
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