Spurs 2 Man City 2
I don’t know what to make of Spurs or Man City. The first half may as well have been men against boys as City bossed it going 2 nil up pretty easily thanks to goals from Cherki and Semenyo and really should have been home and dry if they pressed the advantage more to get that third goal when they were well on top. Spurs were hopeless in that first half gifting City two goals from playing out the back and it looked like it was a matter of how many City were going to score other than if Spurs could get back into it but that’s exactly what happened in the second half. Dominic Solanke practically put the team on his back scoring two goals with the second an audacious sort of backheel volley that I won’t disrespect Giroud with by calling it a scorpion kick but nonetheless a ridiculous goal and Spurs looked the more likely to score in the end until Solanke had to come off with an injury which forced Spurs back and they held on to the point in the end. It doesn’t really do anything for either team but Arsenal are the real winners and now sit six points clear of City who have to go to Anfield next week.
A disastrous second half cost City dearly. It almost looked too easy for City in that first half playing against a Spurs side lacking so much in confidence and quality going forward but they really needed that third goal that would have killed Spurs off in the first half. The second half was completely different as Spurs were well worthy of getting that equaliser and could have won it in the end if it wasn’t for Donnarumma in the City goal. The City attackers were so poor in the second in particular Semenyo and Haaland who were so poor on the ball when City had a counter attack in the Spurs half, in addition to Cities attack being poor Rodri should have been sent off for at least the challenge on Conor Gallagher that was easily a second yellow and then stopped a Spurs counter attack taking Odobert out and yet he still stayed on the pitch. More dropped points for City as the title looks to be slipping away.
Should Spurs first goal have counted? I don’t know if it would have been harsh but I think Solanke kicks through Guehi’s leg to score his first goal, it obviously wasn’t given on the field but I’m surprised VAR didn’t have a stronger look at it as I think it was a pretty clear foul to be honest. I don’t wanna take anything away from Spurs who were well worthy of their point on the day but I think they got away with this one and I’m interested as to what other people make of it during the week.
Solanke is Spurs’ most important player. He’s been injured for most of the season but it’s hard to argue that Solanke is the best player that Spurs have at least going forward, his hold-up play is integral to getting Tottenham up the pitch and he is ruthless in front of goal which Spurs didn’t have in the first half of the season. If Spurs are to try and climb the table he is going to have to have one hell of season as the rest of Spurs attackers other than really Xavi Simons who played well today leave a lot to be desired. I’m not sure what the goal is for Spurs in the league now but they have to at least try and get out of the bottom half over the next few weeks but it doesn’t get any easier with United away at Old Trafford next week, should be a good game.
Next week pivotal in the title race. Arsenal play Sunderland at home next week and could move 9 points clear before City play Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday and if City fail to win I think that’s it for the title this year. I just don’t see this City side with the way that they are currently playing putting a run of form together that is going to challenge Arsenal by the time March and April rolls around, Arsenal’s squad is too good that even if they get hit with injuries they can cover them with nearly like for like players. I think this year is Arsenal’s year with City looking fragile but they could make a statement at Anfield next week and look to put that winning run of form together over the next month or so to close the gap if Arsenal stumble at all, I suppose we’ll wait and see what happens next Sunday.