Manchester City 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur: 5 talking points as Harry Kane strikes late to stun league leaders | Premier League 2021-22

Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur faced off in the Premier League on Saturday
Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur faced off in the Premier League on Saturday

Manchester City were given a reality check in the Premier League as Tottenham Hotspur secured a 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Harry Kane struck twice in the second half, including an injury-time winner, to end the Cityzens' 13-game unbeaten streak across all competitions.

The visitors bagged a goal in the fourth minute courtesy of Dejan Kulusevski, but the hosts equalized in the 33rd minute through Ilkay Gundogan. The game subsequently headed into half-time on parity.

Harry Kane doubled Spurs' lead in the 59th minute and also had one goal ruled out by the VAR in the 74th minute for offside.

The VAR later awarded a penalty to Manchester City in the dying moments of the game, and Riyad Mahrez's well-taken spot-kick made it 2-2 in the 92nd minute. However, just when the hosts thought they had done enough to earn a point from the game, Kane headed in the decisive goal in the 95th minute.

It was a thrilling contest that blew the title race wide open. Liverpool have a game in hand and could reduce the Cityzens' lead at the top to three points.

As Tottenham Hotspur end their three-game winning streak in the league, here's a look at the five talking points from the game.


#5 Dejan Kulusevski dazzles in his first league start for Tottenham Hotspur

Dejan Kulusevski was the star of the show as Spurs shocked Manchester City at the Etihad
Dejan Kulusevski was the star of the show as Spurs shocked Manchester City at the Etihad

Manchester City's January signing Dejan Kulusevski was handed his first start in the Premier League by Antonio Conte.

While no one expected much from the Swedish striker, he opened the scoring on the night with an exquisite finish in the fourth minute. He was set up by Son Heung-min. The South Korean held the ball just long enough for Ederson to come off his line before squaring it to Kulusevski.

Kulusevski was also involved in the late winner. The 21-year-old was released down the right flank by another January signing, Rodrigo Bentancur. With time and space, he sent in a dinking cross into the box.

Harry Kane jumped the highest and overcame Kyle Walker's late challenge to earn the three points for Tottenham Hotspur. Kulusevksi played the full 90 minutes and headed home with a goal and an assist to his name.


#4 Spurs secure the league double over the reigning champions

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League

Manchester City have lost just three games in the Premier League this season. All of those losses have come against London-based sides, and two of them have been against Tottenham Hotspur.

This was the Cityzens' first defeat in the English top flight since their loss at home to Crystal Palace in October last year.

Spurs deserved the win as they got the game off to a great start with an early goal, exploiting Manchester City's high defensive line. They maintained a tight ship at the back and did not give much space to the hosts in the final third.

Despite conceding a late equalizer, Antonio Conte's men pursued the winning goal instead of settling for a point, and that paid off handsomely.

This was Tottenham Hotspur's first league double over reigning top-flight champions since the 1986-87 campaign when they secured 1-0 home and away wins over Liverpool.

#3 Hugo Lloris and Cristian Romero redeem themselves despite goal-conceding errors

Despite making mistakes against Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur shot-stopper Hugo Lloris redeemed himself with multiple saves
Despite making mistakes against Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur shot-stopper Hugo Lloris redeemed himself with multiple saves

Saturday's game saw Manchester City come from behind twice against Tottenham Hotspur. The visitors conceded twice from avoidable mistakes, with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris making a bit of a blunder for the Cityzens' first goal.

The Frenchman should've grabbed Raheem Sterling's cross cleanly. Instead, he spilled the ball directly into Ilkay Gundogan, who made no mistake in slotting the ball into an empty net.

Manchester City's second goal came from the penalty spot, with the VAR awarding them a penalty after Bernardo Silva's cross hit Cristian Romero in the arm before deflecting. While there was nothing the Argentine defender could've done about it, he was solid throughout the game.

Romero made seven clearances throughout the game. He also made three recoveries and had two interceptions to his name.

Lloris also redeemed himself with a string of outstanding saves, including one full-stretch save in the second half to deny Joao Cancelo.


#2 Harry Kane and Son Heung-min on track to become the deadliest attacking duo in Premier League history

 Tottenham Hotspur duo Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have equalled the all-time record for Premier League goal combinations
Tottenham Hotspur duo Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have equalled the all-time record for Premier League goal combinations

Harry Kane and Son Heung-min ran the show for Tottenham Hotspur against Manchester City. Kane scored twice, while Son picked up two assists. They also combined in the buildup to the first goal.

It was Kane who released Son down the left flank with a perfectly-timed pass as the latter beat the offside trap. The two stars have uncanny chemistry on the pitch and combined for their side's second goal directly.

It was the 36th goal that Son or Kane have assisted for the other, matching a Premier League record. The record was set by Chelsea duo Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.


#1 The Premier League title race just got even more interesting

Manchester City's loss to Tottenham Hotspur has blown the title race wide open
Manchester City's loss to Tottenham Hotspur has blown the title race wide open

Manchester City were favorites to run away with the Premier League title, having comfortably been sitting at the top of the standings for a while. However, after Saturday's loss, Liverpool are just six points behind the Cityzens in the league standings with a game in hand.

Pep Guardiola was outsmarted by Antonio Conte in this game as the Italian tactician showed other clubs how to tackle the reigning champions head-on. Manchester City will face Manchester United at home two weeks from now and will be hoping not to drop any more points going forward.

Liverpool will only have themselves to blame if they fail to make the most of Manchester City's slip-up. On the flip side, the Cityzens should also take this defeat as a reminder that the Premier League season is not over just yet.

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Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh