Manchester City’s 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur was a reminder of their quality and a vital step towards Champions League qualification.
They looked like their old selves for 45 minutes – sharp, fluid and ruthless. Erling Braut Haaland’s 20th league goal of the season was the reward for City’s dominance.
Pep Guardiola’s side tore through Spurs in the first half. Jeremy Doku was electric, Savinho a constant threat and Haaland looked as if he had never been away.
His goal came from a slick move, started by Omar Marmoush and finished with an instinctive strike from close range.
City should have been out of sight before the break. Doku, Savinho, and Haaland all had chances, while Tottenham struggled to keep possession.
The home crowd voiced their frustration at half-time, but their team responded. Ange Postecoglou’s second-half changes made an impact.
Spurs pressed with more intensity, and City wobbled under the pressure. Heung-min Son and Pape Sarr both had late chances, the latter missing a golden opportunity in the dying moments.
Haaland thought he had sealed the win in stoppage time, only for VAR to intervene. His goal was ruled out for handball, a decision Guardiola felt was incorrect.
“It was too quick,” he said. “But these things happen. We have to accept it and move forward.”
Despite Spurs’ late surge, City held firm. Ederson was outstanding, producing key saves to deny Son and Sarr.
Ruben Dias and Khusanov were composed at the back, while Matheus Nunes and Josko Gvardiol worked tirelessly.
Guardiola acknowledged the importance of the result. “For Champions League qualification, it was an incredibly good result,” he said.
“We have a young team. The three up front are the future. With Rodri back and the right additions, we will build something special.”
City’s inconsistency this season has been their biggest weakness. They have dropped points from winning positions too often, and Guardiola knows they must be more ruthless.
“Never, ever, can you stop playing,” he said. “1-0 should have been 2-0 or 3-0. We’ve learned the hard way this season.”
