The Cityzens were dominant in an all-action first half, but were put to work after the break as they kept Ange Postecoglou's side at bay
Manchester City moved back into the Premier League's top four with a 1-0 win away at Tottenham on Wednesday. Pep Guardiola's men showed a stubbornness and resilience not seen for much of this season to grind out the victory having failed to put the game beyond their dogged hosts.
With only 12 minutes on the clock, City went in front. A sweeping move saw play shifted to Jeremy Doku on the left, and his deflected cutback found Erling Haaland totally unmarked to tap in from close range.
Doku nearly had a goal for himself soon after when he beat several Spurs defenders before letting fly from 20 yards, only for the long arms of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to deny him. City ought to have gone two up when Doku's next teasing cross found Savinho free at the far post, but he bounced his shot over the crossbar, while Haaland had an effort stopped by Vicario seconds later.
Just after the break, Tottenham should have been level. Pedro Porro's cross evaded every City defender to find Wilson Odobert at the far post, but the Frenchman was stretching and unable to turn the ball home. City should then have been punished when Savinho lost the ball cheaply on the wing and Spurs broke at pace, only for Matheus Nunes to recover and stop Mathys Tel from tapping in deep inside the box.
Ederson was continually proving to be the man between Tottenham and an equaliser, with a low save to keep out Son Heung-min late on the pick of his showreel for the evening. The visitors, meanwhile, were convinced they had added a second deep into added time, but Haaland's strike was initially ruled out for handball in the build-up when he was trying to shield the ball away from Archie Gray and Kevin Danso.
With one final chance, Spurs thought they had equalised. Porro's cross was nodded on by Son and into Pape Matar Sarr, whose header ballooned over the bar as City held on for a narrow win.
GOAL rates City's players from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
AFPGoalkeeper & Defence
Ederson (8/10):
One of his better performances of the season, making some fine stops to keep Spurs at bay.
Matheus Nunes (6/10):
Didn't particularly enjoy his battles with the tricky Odobert, though made up for those misgivings by denying Tel an almost certain goal just after the hour mark.
Abdukodir Khusanov (7/10):
A strong and stable showing at a ground where many a City defender has crumbled in the spotlight. An encouraging display from the young Uzbek.
Ruben Dias (7/10):
Proved the perfect senior partner for Khusanov, with both knowing their roles and limits.
Josko Gvardiol (6/10):
Imperious early on before Johnson and Porro drew him into higher areas and forced several attacks down his flank.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield
Nico Gonzalez (6/10):
Kept things ticking in midfield in a tidy showing without being too extravagant. Replaced by Bernardo for the last 25 or so minutes.
Mateo Kovacic (6/10):
The composed head who broke up play by way of tackle or cynical foul. Like Gonzalez wasn't outstanding, but he didn't really need to be.
Getty Images SportAttack
Savinho (6/10):
Clearly has magic in his boots and was feeling himself, but ultimately didn't have much of a tangible say on proceedings. His most notable contribution was a woeful miss midway through the first half which should have given City some deserved breathing space. Given a breather for McAtee in the dying embers.
Omar Marmoush (6/10):
Popped up all over the place asking questions of Tottenham when City were in the ascendancy. Influence was greatly diminished in the second half and he was replaced by Foden.
Jeremy Doku (8/10):
The Belgian winger was energetically wasteful in his demolition of Trent Alexander-Arnold on Sunday, but was of far more use here, beating Porro before consistently finding his man and causing panic.
Erling Haaland (8/10):
Look who's back! City desperately missed their star striker in Sunday's defeat to Liverpool, and he returned in style with the all-important goal. Just the second player to score 10-plus home goals & 10-plus away goals in three consecutive Premier League seasons after, ironically, Harry Kane.
Getty Images SportSubs & Manager
Bernardo Silva (6/10):
Came on for Gonzalez.
Phil Foden (6/10):
Replaced Marmoush.
James McAtee (N/A):
Given a late runaround in place of Savinho.
Ilkay Gundogan (N/A):
Played about two minutes at the very end on for Kovacic.
Jack Grealish (N/A):
Likewise afforded the scarcest of run-outs for a cramped-up Doku.
Pep Guardiola (7/10):
City's first-half performance was nearly perfect, though there drop-off in the second was almost inexplicable. Will be happy to simply take the points.
