Matchday: Manchester City 1 – 2 Tottenham

Somehow, someway, Tottenham emerged from a visit to Manchester City with their seventh consecutive win in all competitions.

It’s a result that leaves them two points away from Leicester City in the top spot of the Premier League, just above rivals Arsenal on goal difference.

Tottenham first gained the lead through a Harry Kane penalty mere minutes into the second half, though a fine goal from City substitute Kelechi Ihaenacho leveled the account. While the match seemed as if it might stretch onto a draw, Érik Lamela and Christian Eriksen combined wonderfully and the latter scored the winning goal in the 84th minute.

The importance of the win is hard to overstate. Not only do Tottenham get the bragging rights for taking the double over Manchester City this term, but they also sustain a most improbable chase for the Premier league title.

Given the amount at stake coming into this game, one might have expected the players to be overawed by the occasion. That was, after all, a famous trait of past Spurs teams.

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The closest thing Tottenham could call a title chase prior to this season was the run of fine form that abruptly ended with a visit to Manchester City in January of 2012. While Tottenham had been cruising prior to that – competing with both the Manchester clubs for a chance at the top spot – they could not sustain it on the day. They left the Etihad having lost 3-2 after a penalty kick converted by Mario Balotelli in stoppage time.

The team that went out on the Etihad pitch on Sunday, though, didn’t play with the same nervous energy. This was a customarily efficient and effective performance from Tottenham, of the kind that they have mustered all season. City were content in the early stages to defend, and Tottenham obliged, filling the space in the middle third of the pitch and aggressively cutting off any attempts to get through.

While the first half lacked drama – both sides only managed one shot on goal each – it was suggestive that Tottenham had it in them to cruise through this game. They could – and did – control the parts of the pitch they needed to control in order to keep City’s chances of low quality.

That being said, they couldn’t exactly hope to contain City completely. The hosts took what chances they were given. They managed 19 shots in the match, though only four of them actually reached Hugo Lloris. Tottenham attempted to cut off shot opportunities in and around the center of their penalty area, but in the end it was just as effective to through their bodies in front of City’s attempts. In all eight of City’s attempted shots were blocked in the match.

When City weren’t getting their chances in, they were occupied with keeping Tottenham’s surges forward in check. To Vincent Kompany and the rest of City’s backline’s credit, they did a marvelous job with keeping Kane, Dele Alli and Heung-min Son from getting into dangerous positions with the ball. Tottenham managed six shots overall, though three were on target.

In a callback to last September’s 4-1 Tottenham win, the first goal of the match was the direct result of controversial refereeing decision. Danny Rose’s attempted cross appeared to strike Raheem Sterling’s elbow, though it’s unclear just how much the City attacker knew about it. Nevertheless, Mark Clattenburg pointed to the spot and Kane deftly converted.

City came out of their defensive box after going behind, and at times even got the best of Tottenham. The quickly maturing partnership of Toby Alderweireld and Kevin Wimmer appeared up to the task however, though arguably it was the full-backs who deserve the lion’s share of the credit. Rose was an absolute whirling dervish on both ends of the pitch throughout the match, while Kyle Walker’s speed proved invaluable in handling Sterling and Gael Clichy’s runs down the touchline.

Iheanacho’s equalizer was the only real blemish on Tottenham’s defense. The young striker was left completely unmarked in Tottenham’s box, making Clichy’s cross supremely easy to convert. Mousa Dembélé or Eric Dier might have been able to drop back to prevent it, but it proved to be a moot point anyhow.

Less than ten minutes after Iheanacho scored, Tottenham substitute Lamela ran through traffic to find Eriksen on the far side of City’s defensive line. The Dane scored easily past Joe Hart, capping what was yet another impressive game.

Next: Tottenham Double Up on Manchester City

Some late scares threatened to undo Eriksen’s effort, but Tottenham managed to stay firm through the remainder of regular time and four minutes of extra time.

A cool, collected win from a team that inch closer and closer to being consensus title favorites. Much more to come in the days ahead.