Manchester City 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Just two matches into the new Premier League season and Manchester City are perfect no more. The defending champions have dropped their first points of the campaign after they were held by Tottenham Hotspur, 2-2, at the Etihad Stadium.
In a match that had similarities to their classic Champions League duel last season, SBOBET Premier League fans were once again treated on another captivating match between two of the country’s best clubs.
Spurs somehow managed to remain level with City despite getting dominated. And in the end, there was once again some late drama involving VAR which denied the hosts victory.
Highlights of the game
The start of the Champions League quarter-final second leg between Manchester City and Tottenham will live long in the memory. That match was played at a breathtaking pace which saw five goals scored in the space of 21 minutes.
The first 20 minutes of this match was quite the opposite, though, as it was relatively uneventful with few Premier League 2019 highlights from either side.
However, City were in control from the start, and they made their dominance count right at the 20-minute mark through Raheem Sterling.
The English forward was in irresistible form with his hat-trick against West Ham on the opening weekend, and just like in that famous second leg, he opened the scoring as he headed home Kevin De Bruyne’s sublime first-time cross.
But again, like the second leg, Spurs struck back within three minutes. Erik Lamela found space in the heart of the City defence and curled in a left-footed strike which seemingly beat Ederson a little too easily.
City would re-take the lead on 35 minutes, though, through Sergio Aguero. Kevin De Bruyne was once again the provider as he got free on the right wing and delivered another sumptuous cross for the Argentine, who deftly directed the ball into the net.
City went in search of another goal to extend their lead after half-time. Oleksandr Zinchenko’s shot off a corner went picked up a wicked deflection which almost caught Hugo Lloris off-guard. But the Spurs captain managed to adjust and make the save.
With Spurs struggling to create anything offensively, Mauricio Pochettino brought on Champions League semi-final hero Lucas Moura on 56 minutes.
And wouldn’t you know it, Pochettino’s Midas touch once again turned to gold as Moura scored off the ensuing corner a mere 19 seconds after coming on. One of the smallest men on the pitch, Moura out-jumped everyone in the six-yard box to head past an outstretched Ederson.
New City recruit Rodri nearly opened his account for his new club on the hour mark, but his long-range effort was punched over the bar by Lloris.
However, Lloris nearly turned into a villain on the ensuing corner after his unconvincing punch went directly to Bernardo Silva, who lofted the ball into the goal. Luckily for Spurs, the ball bounced onto the crossbar and onto Lloris’ grateful arms.
Gabriel Jesus then came on for Sergio Aguero on 66 minutes. It was a move which the Argentine did not care for, and he let his manager Pep Guardiola know it as they got into a verbal joust in the dugout.
City would eventually get the ball in the back of the net for a third time in the match deep into stoppage time. Once again, it was another substitute in Jesus who seemingly delivered the winner off a corner.
But in one final piece of symmetry between this match and their Champions League classic, City’s late goal was once again chalked off by VAR after it saw a handball from defender Aymeric Laporte before the Jesus banged the ball home.
The unlucky Jesus has been the biggest victim of VAR thus far with two goals called off in two matches. While it didn’t end up mattering against West Ham, it cost City two valuable points this time around.
Key statistics
The shot statistics told the story of just how one-sided this match well and truly was. Manchester City had a whopping 30 shots and 10 on target, while Tottenham had a mere three. But the difference was both their shots on target ended up in the back of the net.
The draw was also the first time City have failed to win a Premier League match at home since losing to Crystal Palace back in December of last year.
What’s next?
City will look to pick themselves up from the Spurs draw next week when they pay Bournemouth a visit. The Premier League 2019 odds should be very much in their favour for that match as they have never lost to the Cherries in their history.
As for Tottenham, they return home next week to face Newcastle United, who are fresh off a 3-1 spanking at the hands of newly-promoted Norwich City.
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