It was Haaland’s 10th goal at home and away this season.
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Manchester City took a significant step toward securing a top-four finish in the Premier League after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
Erling Haaland’s clinical finish in the 12th minute proved decisive as Pep Guardiola’s side held on under intense pressure from the hosts.
City’s Fast Start and Haaland’s Impact
Returning from injury, Haaland wasted no time making an impact.
The Norwegian striker latched onto a precise low cross from Jeremy Doku and calmly slotted home past Spurs’ goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
It was Haaland’s 10th goal at home and away this season—an achievement matched by only one other player in Premier League history.
City dominated the first half, showcasing the controlled, possession-based football that has been a hallmark of Guardiola’s tenure.
Savinho had a golden opportunity to double the lead but fired over from close range.
Meanwhile, Tottenham struggled to create clear-cut chances, managing only one real effort on goal before halftime—a Kevin Danso header that was well saved by Ederson.
Spurs Fight Back in the Second Half
Tottenham came alive in the second half, driven by an energetic display from their substitutes.
Ange Postecoglou’s side applied relentless pressure, with Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel both coming close to leveling the score.
Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min’s introduction injected pace and creativity into the attack, but City’s defense, marshaled by Ruben Dias and Abdukodir Khusanov, stood firm.
Son nearly snatched an equalizer late in the game, but Ederson produced a crucial save to deny him.
City almost extended their lead in stoppage time when Haaland bundled through two defenders and found the net, but the goal was disallowed after VAR ruled a handball in the buildup.
Guardiola Confident in City’s Future
Despite being out of the title race this season, Guardiola remains optimistic about City’s long-term prospects. “We are not the same City as before, but we will be back,” he assured fans.
The win lifted City to fourth place in the standings, keeping their Champions League qualification hopes alive.
Tottenham, on the other hand, will rue their missed opportunities but can take positives from their improved second-half performance.
With key players set to return from injury, they remain in contention for European qualification as the season progresses.
As the Premier League season nears its climax, City will aim to finish strong, while Spurs look to build on their resilience in the fight for European football.