TOTTENHAM 1, MAN CITY 3
It was the hallmark of champions – as Manchester City are destined to be – how they overcame adversity to defeat top-four team Tottenham so comprehensively at Wembley.
After losing three games in a row – had it become four it would have been the club’s worst record for 12 years – this was a massive test for City.
City manager Pep Guardiola was asked whether it was perfection and nodded in reply, saying: “It is not necessary to say anything else.
“London away to Tottenham, one of the toughest teams. The manager and players did what we had to after a tough week in which some moments were unfair.”
It was certainly a challenging fixtures as Spurs were unbeaten in 14 games and had won their last six Premier League games. Not the sort of game City would have been relishing after their recent wobble.
City could have been two ahead before they took the lead midway through the opening period.
Leroy Sane’s volley from Raheem Sterling’s cross struck an upright while Kevin De Bruyne’s screamer flew wide.
The breakthrough came, ironically, from a route-one move given Guardiola’s ethos of playing the beautiful game.
Vincent Kompany’s long ball forward was latched on to by Gabriel Jesus who sprinted clear to slot home.
It was soon 2-0 when Spurs conceded a penalty, though replays indicated goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was outside his area when he fouled Sterling. Ilkay Gundogan scored from the spot.
Spurs halved the deficit shortly before the break after a lucky ricochet found Christian Eriksen who fired home, a great time for Spurs to score given they have been totally overwhelmed in the opening period.
City had chances to restore their two-goal advantage as Jesus fired wide when through on goal and Sterling missed a sitter as Eric Dier got back to deflect his effort for a corner.
The third goal came after 72 minutes when De Bruyne’s corner was not cleared and Sterling shot into the roof of the net, his 22nd goal of the season.
Sterling could have made it four, but failed to hit the target while near the end Lucas Moura’s 30-yard drive forced a fine save from City keeper Ederson Moraes as it was City who left the capital just one win away from being crowned Premier League champions for a third time.