Five Things Learned: Tottenham 2-2 Manchester City (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City conceded yet another draw in a difficult start to the new calendar year, this time at the hands of Tottenham to drop more points in the title race.

The first half started off well with a good opportunity for Antoine Semenyo in the first minute, saved by Guglielmo Vicario, and only a few minutes later, Rayan Cherki then got the ball from Erling Haaland to carry it on his own and score a wonderful goal to open the scoring.

To end the first 45 minutes, Rodri recovered possession, before finding Bernardo Silva, who layed it off perfectly for the aforementioned Ghana international to bag his fourth Manchester City goal in just five matches.

However, the second half would see things go Tottenham’s way, as they improved and equalised thanks to two Dominic Solanke goals – a controversial one for a foul not being given on Marc Guéhi, and a scorpion kick.

Pep Guardiola’s side kept trying to win and reclaim their grasp on all three points, especially from corners and crosses into the box, but ultimately could not finish chances as the game ended all square. 

Manchester City drop a further two points as they reach 47 in total for the season so far – six behind league leaders Arsenal. The Blues have won only one of the last six Premier League matches, through a triumph over bottom-placed side, Wolves.

Here are Five Things We Learned from Manchester City’s frustrating draw against Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.

Another second-half meltdown

Excluding domestic cup competitions, Manchester City are yet to score a second-half goal in 2026 – perhaps a clear lack of desire to finish contests and win comfortably.

After a solid first-half performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, the last 45 minutes were far from the level needed to win matches. Manchester City couldn’t get away from Spurs’ press and, when attacking, chance creation was poor.

This is also the third game in a row in which the Blues have seemingly slowed the pace in the second-half. Although Wolves and Galatasaray were simply unable to offer a challenge, there are other teams that can, punishing sloppy City performances.

Our kryptonite strikes again

2025/26 is another season in which Manchester City have failed to beat Tottenham. It is unexplainable how the club dips in form when facing the North London opponent, as Spurs won four out of six points against Pep Guardiola’s men this campaign.

Even with Manchester City leading 0-2 and seeming comfortable enough to win an away clash at Tottenham, they slipped and conceded the draw. A great first-half simply went down the drain, and the difference in play between halves was massive.

Somehow, Pep Guardiola still struggles against Tottenham – his kryptonite ever since he arrived in England, 10 years ago.

A clear foul on Marc Guéhi

Dominic Solanke kicked Marc Guéhi’s calf, forcing the defender to hit the ball unintentionally into his own net. Had the striker not hit his England teammate, Guéhi would certainly not have scored the goal.

The Tottenham forward did not get the ball at all, at least to the viewers’ eye, yet he was given the goal by Premier League officials. Solanke hits Manchester City’s centre-back entirely and that is undoubtedly a foul play action to many.

It is the latest decision to follow a series of controversial decisions made against Manchester City in the Premier League this season, after Diogo Dalot’s red card challenge on Jeremy Doku, Bruno Guimarães’ offside during Newcastle’s 2-1 win in Autumn, and Yerson Mosquera’s handball not given as a penalty in the 2-0 win over Wolves last month.

This should not be used as an excuse for the result in North London however, only highlighted for the clear mistake that it was.

Rayan Cherki is a pleasure

The 2025 summer signing with the biggest amount of goal involvements since his debut, with nine goals and 10 assists, Rayan Cherki is now only behind Erling Haaland (32) in goals and assists for a Premier League player in all competitions this season.

Not only for his wonder goal this weekend, he almost scored a brilliant second after dribbling past two defenders inside the box, saved by Vicario. When the Frenchman left the pitch, City’s attack lost rhythm and creativity, failing to maintain the level of play shown in the first 45.

Rayan Cherki makes it two goals in his two most recent outings, as the No.10 keeps showing why he is more than a pleasure to watch, but a must for Manchester City to have hopes of silverware this year.

The Gianluigi Donnarumma effect

If it weren’t for the Italian goalkeeper, Manchester City would have lost the match. His saves were beyond special to deny a turnaround, preventing two amazing shots and made two extra saves to avoid defeat. How many times have we heard similar sentences this campaign?

His ability to use his feet has improved a lot in both short and long balls, as he no longer feels somewhat of a liability in build-up. The No.25 got 69 per cent of his long balls right on Sunday evening.

Despite reaching the ball, he could not avoid Dominic Solanke’s scorpion-kick equaliser. However, Donnarumma makes difficult stops look easy, as he continues to impress as Manchester City’s No.1 between the posts.