Man City’s 15-match unbeaten run was ended in added time by a smash-and-grab Tottenham at the Etihad.
The visitors, playing almost exclusively on the counter-attack, struck early on and though Ilkay Gundogan equalised before half-time, went ahead again after the breakthrough of Harry Kane.
But in a frantic finish, a penalty by Riyad Mahrez in the 92nd minute of the game looked to have rescued a point for City, only for Kane to dramatically add another three minutes later – the goal that settled the contest 3-2 in Tottenham’s favour.
WHAT HAPPENED?
City were behind within five minutes following a swift Tottenham counter-attack that saw Son Heung-min, a regular thorn in the Blues’ side over the years, race clear down the left, drew Ederson out before squaring the ball to Dejan Kulusevski who slotted home from the edge of the box.
Not the start anyone had expected, but at least there was 86 minutes to turn the situation around.
It would be 20 minutes before City threatened an equaliser when Ilkay Gundogan’s curling shot kissed the outside of the post and a minute later, Joao Cancelo fired a fierce low shot wide.
The champions began to build up a head of steam, despite Tottenham’s attempts to disrupt play by time-wasting at every opportunity, and in 34 minutes, finally, City drew level.
Raheem Sterling, the scorer of so many goals of late, turned provider as he whipped in a cross from the left flank towards Kevin De Bruyne – Hugo Lloris went to gather the ball but instead soiled it into the path of Gundogan who made no mistake from eight yards out.
With no further goals by the break, it set the second half up perfectly.
City knocked on the door continually after the restart, but Tottenham, dangerous throughout on the break, countered again on the hour and Son’s cross from the left was half-volleyed home by Harry Kane from close range to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.
Four minutes later, Kane was again one-on-one with Ederson, but this time the Brazilian made a superb save with his feet to keep the contest alive.
City responded by almost immediately levelling again with only a fine Lloris save denying Gundogan a second goal on 65 minutes.
It proved an important moment for the visitors with Kane seemingly putting the game to bed on 74 minutes – only for VAR to rule it out for offside.
The City fans immediately sensed an opportunity when all seemed lost, though time was running out.
And that opportunity came in the 90th-minute when Bernardo’s cross struck Christian Romero’s raised arm – VAR instructed referee Anthony Taylor to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor and a penalty was duly awarded.
Mahrez expertly tucked the ball high to Lloris’ right to make it 2-2 and set up a grandstand finish.
But it was Kane who had the final say, heading home in the fifth of seven minutes of added time to give the Blues the first loss in 2022.
