Manchester City secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, with Erling Haaland’s early goal proving the difference. Haaland Manchester City striker, returning from injury, wasted no time in making an impact, scoring in the 12th minute after a well-placed cross from Jeremy Doku.
Doku, whose pace and creativity caused problems for Tottenham’s defense throughout the first half, delivered a low cross that took a slight deflection before reaching Haaland,; Haaland calmly slotted the ball past Guglielmo Vicario, marking his 20th Premier League goal of the season and etching his name in history as only the second player to score 20+ goals in each of his first three Premier League seasons—matching Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record from 2001 to 2004.
Despite City’s dominance in the first half, they failed to extend their lead. Haaland came close to doubling his tally, while Doku and Savinho missed golden opportunities. Vicario made several key saves, preventing the visitors from running away with the game before halftime.
Tottenham’s Second-Half Resurgence Falls Short
Tottenham, who fielded one of their youngest starting lineups in Premier League history with an average age of 23 years and 243 days, struggled to match City’s intensity in the first half. However, Ange Postecoglou’s side came out stronger in the second period, creating multiple chances that should have led to an equalizer.
Wilson Odobert, making his first start since September, narrowly missed converting a brilliant cross from Brennan Johnson. Mathys Tel also had a golden opportunity but failed to connect with a dangerous ball into the box. With City beginning to tire, Postecoglou made four substitutions in the 66th minute, introducing key players such as Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski, Djed Spence, and Pape Matar Sarr to push for an equalizer.
Son came closest to leveling the match when he latched onto a cutback from Johnson, but his effort was smothered by City goalkeeper Ederson. Tottenham continued to pile on the pressure, but their lack of clinical finishing proved costly.
VAR Drama and Haaland’s Disallowed Goal
Late in the match, Haaland thought he had sealed the victory for City when he found the back of the net again in stoppage time. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out for handball, sparking controversy among City fans and players. The decision gave Tottenham a final lifeline, and they nearly capitalized on it when Pape Matar Sarr rose highest to meet a cross in the eighth minute of stoppage time, only to send his header over the crossbar.
The dramatic finish left Tottenham players frustrated, as they believed they had done enough to snatch a point. However, City’s resolute defense held firm, ensuring they took all three points back to Manchester.
City Return to the Top Four
With this victory, Manchester City climbed back into the Premier League’s top four, overtaking rivals Arsenal. They now sit on 47 points from 27 games, just one point behind third-placed Nottingham Forest. The result also ended their poor run of form against Tottenham, who had been a bogey team for City in recent seasons.
Pep Guardiola’s side, who were coming off a difficult stretch that included a Champions League loss to Real Madrid and a Premier League defeat to Liverpool, responded well with a disciplined performance. While their second-half display showed vulnerability, their ability to grind out a result will boost their confidence as they enter a crucial phase of the season.
Tottenham’s European Aspirations in Jeopardy
For Tottenham, the loss leaves them in 13th place, struggling to find consistency. Postecoglou’s side had been aiming to complete a historic double over both Manchester clubs in the same season but fell short in their attempt. The defeat also raises concerns about their European qualification hopes, with Spurs now facing an uphill battle to secure a top-six finish.
Despite the loss, Postecoglou can take some positives from his team’s spirited second-half performance. With key players rested for their upcoming Europa League last-16 tie, Spurs will shift focus to their European campaign in hopes of salvaging their season. However, their inability to convert chances remains a pressing issue that must be addressed if they are to compete with the league’s top sides.
Final Score: Tottenham 0-1 Manchester City
Goal: Erling Haaland (12′)
VAR Controversy: Haaland’s stoppage-time goal disallowed for handball
City’s Position: 4th place with 47 points
Tottenham’s Position: 13th place, struggling for consistency
As City continue their pursuit of Premier League glory, this win serves as a crucial step in their campaign. For Tottenham, another missed opportunity leaves them with more questions than answers as they search for consistency in a season full of ups and downs.
