Tottenham defeated Manchester City 3-2 in a breathtaking encounter to end the defending champion’s unbeaten run that lasted 112 days.
Since losing 2-0 at home to Crystal Palace in October, Man City have earned 43 points from 45 available in the Premier League (W14 D1 L0), with the only exception being a 1-1 draw at Southampton last month.
Antonio Conte’s Tottenham team were hoping to end their three-game losing streak and got to a good start with an early lead through their new signing, Dejan Kulusevski, in the 4th minute.
The Citizens who have had seven clean sheets in their last 10 matches before today managed to draw level through İlkay Gündoğan in the 33rd minute but the hosts were pegged once more by a more determined Spurs side as Harry Kane restored the lead (2-1) in the 59th minute.
Pep Guardiola’s men were hoping to extend their gap above Liverpool atop the table by 12 points but they were not prepared for the resilience of Conte’s side.
Kane who almost joined City in the summer showed Guardiola what would have been had the deal not fallen through by handing the visitors a third goal later in the second half but it was ruled out by the VAR for an offside in the build-up.
Determined to avoid a defeat in front of their home fans at the Etihad Stadium, City pushed further down the throat of Conte’s men and the pressure paid off when Bernado Silva’s cross caught the hand of Cristian Romero in an unnatural position in added time.
Riyad Mahrez stepped up and converted the penalty to draw the hosts level (90+2′), throwing the game open in the remaining five minutes of the seven extra minutes added after the regular time.
But against all odds, Tottenham rose to the occasion and caught City napping when Kane, who was denied by the VAR earlier, netted a heart-stopping stoppage-time header (90+5′) to break the hearts of Man City.
Conte’s men, according to POOL via Google are now the fourth side ever to complete a league double over a side managed by Man City boss Guardiola, after Chelsea (2016-17), Manchester United (2019-20) and Wolves (2019-20).
City have now dropped their lead atop the table to six points ahead of Liverpool who defeated Norwich 3-1 earlier today.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have an opportunity to reduce the gap to three points by Wednesday when they face Leeds United for their outstanding match at Anfield Stadium.
