City settle for point after Tottenham comeback | OneFootball

City had to settle for a point after Tottenham battled back for a 2-2 draw in North London.

Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo had us in front at the break after an impressive opening 45 minutes.

But Thomas Frank’s men came back into it in the second half courtesy of a Dominic Solanke double.

The result means we’re six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, who defeated Leeds 4-0 at Elland Road on Saturday.

THE GAME IN 250 WORDS

City started the game strongly and opened the scoring through Rayan Cherki.

Captain Bernardo Silva showed his terrier-like tenaciousness to pickpocket Yves Bissouma before playing the ball off to Erling Haaland with the giant No.9 supplying the flair-fuelled Frenchman.

Cherki edged closer and closer to goal, with centre-back Radu Dragușin dropping off, before producing a clinical right foot finish.

City could and probably should have had another goal shortly after.

Haaland raced free before trying a delicate lob reminiscent of his opener against Galatasaray in midweek but this time the ball nestled on the top of the net rather than in the back of it.

Cherki then went close to doubling his and his team’s tally, showing class, composure and downright cheek to dribble his way into a shooting position before seeing his final shot saved brilliantly by Guglielmo Vicario, the talismanic forward then turning away in shock as the referee awarded a goalkick rather than a corner.

The Blues did get a second just before half-time and it was no more than we deserved after a dominant first half display. Rodri intercepted the ball, Bernardo touched it inside and Antoine Semenyo finished in style.

It was the January recruit’s sixth goal in his last nine Premier League appearances.

Tottenham built up a head of steam after the break before eventually pulling one back.

Conor Gallagher fired a shot high and handsome over the bar and then Gianluigi Donnarumma showed his class to tip over Destiny Udogie’s ferocious strike from the left channel as the hosts looked for a way back into this encounter.

They found it when Solanke forced home although the Tottenham forward looked to have kicked through City defender Marc Guéhi but VAR ratified it after a check.

The hosts then levelled matters when Gallagher crossed for Solanke who found an instinctive and improvised finish to beat Donnarumma.

The Italian ace then had to be at his best to tip over a Xavi Simons curled effort as Thomas Frank’s side eyed a winner.

Substitute Tijjani Reijnders headed marginally wide moments later from a pinpoint Bernardo cross as the game ebbed and flowed.

Guéhi, Haaland and Rodri all tried to force the ball home in a scramble in the box but Tottenham managed to clear the danger while Reijnders headed inches wide after meeting a Haaland knockdown.

Our No.9 then looked to have been pulled to the ground by Dragusin but appeals were waved away.

Both sides eyed victory as the game moved into nine minutes of stoppage time but there was no further scoring as the final whistle blew.

TEAMS

TOTTENHAM XI: Vicario, Palhinha, Dragusin, Romero (Sarr 46’), Udogie, Gray, Bissouma (Odobert 68’), Gallagher, Kolo Muani (Tel 68’), Simons, Solanke (Byfield 90’)

Subs: Kinsky, Souza, Olusesi, Kyerematen, Rowswell

CITY XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, Ait-Nouri (Nico 70’), Rodri (Marmoush 90 + 4), Bernardo (C) (Foden 88’), O’Reilly, Semenyo, Cherki (Reijnders 69’), Haaland

Subs: Trafford, Ake, McAidoo, Alleyne, Lewis

MANAGER VERDICT

“We played a really good game in general.

“They put more balls in behind, more players there, more players in the middle to attack more and more direct.

“But in general it was a really good game but unfortunately we could not win.

“It’s a setback but still we are there. Yes move on, move forward. There are 14 games, lots of points and we are thinking about the next one.”

SEMENYO REACTION

“We’ve got more games, there are 14 games to go. We are six points behind, it’s not the end.

“We have to keep going. Anything can happen. 14 games to go, they might lose a couple of games and we might win.

“The dynamic changes and we have to see what happens. Everyone is visibly frustrated and we go again.

“First-half we played really well. It was just keeping the ball and drawing them out. We did that really well and had a few chances on that.

“The mentality was to do the same things again. Second-half that didn’t happen and they dominated.”

RODRI REACTION

“Yeah, it was a tough game. I think to be fair we deserved a little bit more.

“At the end it happened what happened in the last games, we didn’t control well the second-half, this is what happened. We didn’t control well.

“I’m very proud of my team. Sometimes it’s difficult to come to these kind of stadiums, without the help of anyone. I’m very proud of them and the effort of what we did.

“We just need to improve the things we need to improve and move on.”

WHAT IT MEANS

The 2-2 draw means we’re six points behind Premier League leaders, Arsenal.

After 24 games, the Gunners are on 53 points while the Blues are on and us on 47.

WHAT’S NEXT

We’re aiming for a place in the Carabao Cup final this coming week.

We’re 2-0 up on Newcastle after the first leg of the semi-final with the return tie coming on Wednesday, with kick-off at the Etihad at 20:00 (UK).

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