Premier League: Harry Kane’s late goal helps Tottenham complete double over Manchester City; game ends at 3-2
This week, the biggest game of the premier league was played at the Etihad, where Manchester City took on Tottenham.
City, the league leaders, came into this game seeking revenge for the early defeat suffered in the season.
On the other hand, Tottenham was looking to return to winning ways. They had lost 3 matches on the trot before this one. And considering their form, they were gaping at another defeat.
Things definitely went against the script in the game’s opening moments, as it was Spurs who opened the scoring.
Great start for Tottenham
Harry Kane initiated the attack by setting up a perfect through ball for Son. The Korean, in return, found Kulusevski at the edge of the box, and the newcomer didn’t make any mistakes.
Four minutes into the game, and against all odds, Tottenham was leading it.
Everyone was pondering whether Manchester City was having an off day at the office. They had most of the possession but could not break the Spurs defence.
Antonio Conte’s men were happy to play the game in their own half. They didn’t allow City enough breathing space to get their shots away.
However, Manchester City is one team you cannot count out. And the champions of England proved it in the 33rd minute. A small error in the defence cost Tottenham the lead as Gundogan levelled the score with an easy shot.
At the stroke of halftime, both teams were tied at 1-1 with little to separate them.
The second half started with Manchester City dominating the game completely. There was a point in the half when they had 90% possession.
But in football, possession means nothing if you cannot make the net bulge. And Antonio Conte knew that very well.
The Italian set his team on the tight defensive work while ensuring they were prepared to counter when the chance came. And it did come in the 68th minute of the game.
Drama all the way
Just like several times before, Tottenham had the ball, and they moved it much better than their opposite number. Once again, it was an attack initiated by Harry Kane to release Son, but somehow it didn’t reach him clearly.
The possession wasn’t lost, though, and Tottenham kept getting into the box until a great cross by Son Heung-Min was met with a first time shot by Harry Kane to make it 2-1.
With this, the visitors had their tails up, and they continued getting into dangerous positions. They even had a goal disallowed by VAR for Kulusevski being offside in the buildup of the same.
The last fifteen minutes or so of the game were played in Tottenham’s half. Manchester City camped a base in their opponent’s half, seeking one slender opportunity to get level.
City’s pressure paid dividends as Christian Romero conceded a penalty in the dying minutes of the game.
Riyad Mahrez made no mistake in converting from the spot to make it 2-2 in the 90+3 minutes.
Just when everyone thought it was all over, Harry Kane changed the complexion of the game again.
After suffering from a minor back issue only minutes ago, the English captain was high in the air, nodding the ball into the back of the net to win the game for his team.
Albeit in a dramatic manner, Tottenham was able to complete a double on the champions of England. Courtesy to the two goals from Harry Kane.
With these three points they have went past Wolves on the table and stand 7th with 39 points from 23 games. They will be hoping to qualify for the champion’s league next season.
