Tottenham 0-1 Manchester City – Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Erling Haaland fires champions ahead early in second half in major blow to Arsenal’s title hopes

Ederson is on his feet which is good news.

After being monitored by the medical staff he is going to play on.

His first act is to slip over while taking the free-kick.

Ederson is on the ground after a challenge from Cristian Romero and the latter is booked.

The players on the pitch look worried and the doctors have raced onto the pitch.

It’s a head injury and Ederson is immobile.

This is the loudest the stadium has been all night.

It seems the goal has given the Tottenham fans a license to start singing.

All the songs are about Arsenal, unsurprisingly.

Kevin De Bruyne is rolling around in agony.

The Belgian midfielder looks to break and paper Sarr scrapes his foot down the back of his Achilles.

I’m not surprised he is in pain. However, it looks like he is going to be OK after some treatment.

Manchester City’s arch-nemesis is on the pitch.

Dejan Kulusevski loves a goal against City and Ange Postecoglou has decided to give him a chance to score another.

Rodrigo Bentancur is the man who makes way, and he is a very angry man…

Tottenham fans respond to going behind by singing ‘Are you watching Arsenal?’.

I’m sure they are, and I’m sure they are in pain right now looking at the scoreline.

MANCHESTER CITY HAVE A PREMIER LEAGUE GOAL AWAY AT TOTTENHAM!

Erling Haaland may have just delivered Manchester City another Premier League title.

He never lets City down, and neither does Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian fires the ball across the six-yard box for Haaland to tap home.

I imagine all Arsenal fans just sunk into their sofas in despair.

This half is already much better from both sides.

This time Tottenham forge forward and Son Heung-Min tries to scoop the ball over Ederson, but he fails to do so.

It turns out the whistle is blown anyway, but it’s still much better football.

I have already heard Kevin De Buryne’s name more in the first three minutes of the second half than I did all of the first.

He fires in a lovely bending cross into the area, but it just flies over Phil Foden in the area.

He looks up for it, which is worrying for any Arsenal fans watching.

Oh my word, it’s another fantastic save from Guglielmo Vicario!

The ball breaks for Kevin De Bruyne in the area, he is in so much space, you just expect the net to ripple.

He pulls the trigger and the balls flies toward goal, but Viacrios leaps across to keep the score level.

Incredible once again from the Italian keeper.

Manchester City are going through an intense on-the-pitch huddle before play gets underway.

They know they have to be at it from the whistle at the start of this second half.

Well, there is that whistle. City get us back underway.

I bet Arsenal fans are in bits.

As things stand, they are 45 minutes away from going into the final day top of the Premier League, on goal difference.

Sometimes, though, it’s the hope that kills you…

Jack Gaughan, Mail Sport, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

Rodri clipping a ball straight out of play summed up City’s half.

Micah Richards, Premier League winner with Manchester City, speaking about Guglielmo Vicario’s save, on Sky Sports:

It’s one of the best saves I have seen all season, wow.

This match has been low on quality.

Not many notable things have happened, bar the Phil Foden chance that was saved by Guglielmo Vicario.

It was a fantastic save, game-changing perhaps. However, he has not had much else to do.

Will things liven up in the second half?

What a strange 45 minutes that was.

It’s one of the oddest matches I have watched. The atmosphere is one reason for that, but also just the general play.

Manchester City seem miles off it. They are misplacing passes, and inviting Spurs onto them at times.

However, Tottenham aren’t much better.

The happiest team at half-time isn’t even playing tonight, and that’s Arsenal.

This stadium just does weird things to Manchester City…

They have been so poor in this first-half, Rodri and Bernardo Silva both give the ball away.

However, they still find a way into the box and Silva looks like he is about to find the top corner, but Radu Dragusin miraculously gets his body in the way.

City must hate playing here.

Rodrigo Bentancur, what is that?

The Uruguayan midfielder breaks free and has options, but picks out the Manchester City player…

That was very poor, that was a decent chance.

Pedro Porro gives the referee daggers after he penalises him for a foul on Phil Foden.

Not sure why, it was a blatant foul.

Then Kevin De Bruyne swings in a poor set-piece straight into the arms of Guglielmo Vicario.

I think the goals have gone to Josko Gvardiol’s head…

The ball is sent to the back post and he tries to acrobatically volley the ball home instead of squaring it for Erling Haaland.

Although it’s a decent try, the ball flies over the bar.

I think he should maybe pass to the Premier League top scorer next time, don’t you?

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg really is everywhere, he has now popped up on the left-wing.

The Dane shows exactly why he has never played there after James Maddison plays a lovely disguised ball through to him.

It takes two seconds to give the ball away…

Phil Foden gets absolutely clattered by Rodrigo Bentancur, but the referee gives advantage.

It takes a minute, but eventually, Bentancur is shown a yellow card, and rightly so. He flies into that challenge.

I wouldn’t want to get tackled like that!

Brennan Johnson seems like Tottenham’s best outlet at the moment.

He gets on the ball on the right-hand side and drives into the area. His cross causes Ederson problems as he spills the ball for a corner.

However, from the set-piece, Son Heung-Min spurns a volley well wide.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

We don’t say this often but….Man City are not playing terribly well. Question is: Are Spurs good enough to take advantage?

The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is like if you chose the crowd noise option on TV during the Covid-19 campaign.

It doesn’t quite sound real at times, and you can still hear the players screaming at each other.

Pep Guardiola is screaming at his players!

It’s because Manchester City are suddenly under the cosh here, but luckily for them, Tottenham just don’t want to pull the trigger.

They are starting to worry the City backline.

That is lovely from Josko Gvardiol!

Tottenham hit Manchester City on the counter and Rodrigo Bentancur looks for Brennan Johnson as he steams into the box.

His cross is intercepted into the path of Pedro Porro, but Gvardiol knicks the ball and dances around the Spaniard.

Incredible feet there from the Croatian defender.

Kyle Walker gets in again!

Tottenham just keep leaving him open, and he gets the ball on the right-hand side for a third time inside 22 minutes.

However, just like before, his pass lets him down. He is causing Spurs all sorts of bother.

Jack Gaughan, Mail Sport, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

Pep Guardiola going mad at Mateo Kovacic – and then Kevin De Bruyne – after City get themselves in a muddle when they should’ve used a completely free Josko Gvardiol on the counter attack.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is all over the place.

One minute he is shaking the ball through to Phil Foden, and the next he is the furthest Spurs player up the pitch trying to hold up the ball.

He loses it. Not his best night, so far.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

Spurs seem to have forgotten that Kyle Walker is playing.

WOW! Guglielmo Vicario, take a bow.

The Italian goalkeeper makes a sensational stop to deny Phil Foden as he looks certain to score.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is a lucky man. It’s his shank that sends the ball into Foden’s path.

Mickey van de Ven pulls a Phill Jones-esque face as the ball hits him in the face.

Spurs are then in all sorts of bother from a corner, Vicrio can’t punch it clear, but they get away with it.

While it is not a weird atmosphere, it is eerily quiet.

Manchester City have settled and are starting to stroke the ball around with authority.

Kyle Walker gets acres of space again on the right, being fed by Phil Foden, but his cross is poor.

He had so much time, he had to do better there.

Ok, so the atmosphere is not as weird as I thought it would be.

Yes, it’s not particularly loud like it would normally be for this game, but it’s not like Tottenham fans are willing Manchester City on.

They are roaring their side forward when they can.

Manchester City come to life. Rodri pings the ball over the top to Kyle Walker, who pulls it back to Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgian pulls the trigger and his strike takes a huge deflection and narrowly drifts past the post.

However, the flag is up. Walker went too soon…

That is gorgeous football from Tottenham.

They have started brightly, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg plays a stunning switch of play to get Spurs on their way.

They work the ball to Rodrigo Bentancur, and he stings the palms of Ederson with a powerful strike.

That’s enough evidence to show that Tottenham are going to go for it.

Ooooh, was that really a foul?

Erling Haaland battles with Cristian Romero and wins it, he is through on goal.

However, the referee blows for a foul on the Argentine centre-back, which is interesting.

Tottenham are enjoying their fair share of the ball so far, and Pape Sarr wins the first free-kick of the game.

The Tottenham fans are singing ‘Stand up if you hate Arsenal’. I feel like there will be many anti-Gunners chants tonight.

Maybe I spoke too soon. The Tottenham fans have found their voice and are backing their side.

The home side get the ball rolling, can they spring a shock against Manchester City?

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

Pep Guardiola is wearing his lucky fisherman’s jumper again. I hope it’s had a spin through the wash since that hot day at Fulham at the weekend.

The atmosphere isn’t exactly vibrant, right now.

The teams come out to a tame clap from the Tottenham fans, you just know their stomachs are in knots.

However, Manchester City fans are singing very loudly, but are rudely interrupted by the Premier League anthem.

Tottenham seem to hobble to the finish line at times.

They have lost two of their last three final home league games. I bet this statistic will please Tottenham fans.

I know, it feels weird saying that.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

The end is near of what should still be seen as a progressive season for Spurs. Better football. Better league position. Hope. Not a bad return from Ange Postecoglou’s first season.

Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham manager, speaking to Sky Sports:

One thing you have to do is concentrate on the football and not all the other stuff that’s been talked about. They’re (Manchester City) a top team. They’re always at their best at this time of the year, something we need to try and strive for.

We’re gonna have to be at our best. The thing for us is that, when we’ve taken it to the top teams this year, we haven’t always come out on top. We’ve given them a scare, and that’s what we’re trying to do today.

Jack Gaughan, Mail Sport, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

Wondering how City approach this tonight. Do they contain and try to control the night early on, just to see what the atmosphere is like, or just go for it and try to get it done early on?

Tottenham are still in the hunt for a top-four spot… just about.

They are five points behind Aston Villa after the Villans draw yesterday, and could close the gap to two with a win tonight.

The fact they are still in with a chance of Champions League football is amazing considering their form. Win tonight, and you just never know.

Kyle Walker, Manchester City defender, on Sky Sports:

There is a lot on the line, we have had tough games here and it is going to be another tough game tonight. We need to treat this game as a final, which it is.

We have played in big games like this before, it’s about keeping your composure, making sure any slight mistake doesn’t happen, and go and score goals at the other end.

We will just go and be us, that is all we can ask for from the lads and us as a group of players. We will see what happens come the end of the game.

Josko Gvardiol is on fire at the moment.

When The Croatian defender signed for Manchester City, I expected to be a revelation… but at the back.

However, after taking a while to settle, the former RB Leipzig man has come into his own in front of goal.

Gvardiol has netted five goals in his last seven games for the club, including a brace at Fulham on Saturday.

He will be on the hunt for more today.

Steve, London: ‘We’ll definitely have a go at them tonight and hopefully take 3 points’ – Justin Baker, aged 6, Spurs captain.

Nearly got me for a moment… I must admit this comment made me chuckle.

Pep Guardiola normally doesn’t struggle, but against Tottenham he does… from time to time.

Since being in charge at City, they have lost six Premier League games against Tottenham, more than against any other opponent.

Not just that, but their record at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the league is woeful.

They are yet to score in their four trips to the stadium in the League, losing all of them.

Will that run come to an end tonight?

While it’s a strong Tottenham team, I can’t help but be surprised to see Mickey van de Ven at left-back.

Yes, I know he played there briefly at the weekend, but he has been brilliant as a centre-back this campaign.

He certainly has the pace for it though, so it will be interesting to see his battle with Bernardo Silva

Just the one change for Manchester City, following their 4-0 thumping of Fulham.

Kyle Walker replaces the injured Nathan Ake.

Not exactly a bad person to bring into the side, eh?

Well, it’s a strong Tottenham team.

Ange Postecoglou has made three changes from the team that scraped a 2-1 victory against Burnley at the weekend.

Radu Dragusin, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg all come into the side.

It seems Mickey van de Ven Is set to be deployed at left-back.

Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender, on Sky Sports:

Once that whistle is blown, you’re (as a player) giving everything in that game. But what won’t happen is, the crowd won’t take them anywhere tonight. If Spurs get anything from this game it will be all down to themselves.

Manchester City are really enjoying life at the moment.

It’s fair to say they don’t really get homesick, especially this time of year.

Pep Guardiola’s side have won four Premier League away games on the trot, scoring 10 goals in their last three combined, while conceding none.

However, as we will go into depth later, they aren’t always keen on a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Will they be able to continue their fine form tonight?

So, the fans are starting to arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

I am interested to see what kind of atmosphere there will be tonight with the predicament Tottenham fans are in.

Many season ticket holders couldn’t even bear the thought of turning up tonight, so returned their tickets to the club.

It means there could be a lot of empty seats inside the stadium tonight, which is a rarity.

It’s such an odd situation…

Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender, on Sky Sports:

I can’t wait for it to start just to see what the atmosphere is like. This is not unique, it’s happened before, but I don’t think a Spurs fan should want their team to win tonight.

I’ve grown up in a city with a similar rivalry and if the boot was on the other foot I think Arsenal fans would be exactly the same.

I think Ange Postecoglou has made his opinion on this subject very clear…

However, what do all of you think?

Personally, I can understand the anguish Spurs fans, but I feel when the game gets going their will to win will subside their hate of Arsenal.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham boss, speaking on Monday:

I understand rivalry, I was part of one of the biggest ones in the world in the last couple of years with Celtic and Rangers. But I will never understand if someone wants their own team to lose.

That’s not what sport is about. It’s not what I love about the game. What I love more than anything is the competitiveness, challenging yourself to beat someone and coming out successful. Anything outside of that, it’s got nothing to do with sport.

If other people want to treat it that way, that they get pleasure from other people’s misery, that’s not how I’ve lived my life and how I perceive my role. My role is to bring success to this football club and I know 100 percent of Spurs supporters want us to win, to be successful, and win trophies. Winning will help us bring joy to 100 percent of Spurs supporters.

Did Tottenham fans ever think that they would be in this position?

It feels like the majority of their fanbase is desperate for them to lose tonight. If they win they allow Arsenal to take pole position in the title race going into the final day.

You don’t need a genius to tell you that Spurs hate the Gunners, so it makes this a very sticky situation for them.

One Spurs fan told me they are not ‘hoping’ they lose but would be ‘happy to lose’ I think that statement shows the conflict perfectly.

Most Tottenham supporters would echo that statement, but not all do.

Another fan told me they want a Spurs win, despite not wanting Arsenal to win the league because they support their team and ‘City need to do it on their own’.

So, we know the title race is going to go to the final day.

However, that doesn’t mean that today won’t play a deciding factor in where the Premier League trophy ends up.

After Arsenal’s win at Old Trafford on Sunday, the Gunners sit top of the pile by one point.

A Tottenham win, or even get a draw, means Arsenal will be top going into the final day. Meanwhile, a City win means they will be two points clear and on course for a record fourth consecutive Premier League title.

This is simply a situation all Spurs fans wanted to avoid.

If Tottenham beat Manchester City tonight, their north London rivals, Arsenal, will go into the final day one point clear of the Citizens at the summit of the Premier League.

There is no doubt that the Gunners fans will be supporting Tottenham for one night only, their destiny lies in their hands.

Or does it? We have to remember, City look unstoppable now, while Tottenham are far from their best form.

Even if Spurs do make a fight of it tonight, it doesn’t guarantee that they will be able to topple the Pep Guardiola’s team of juggernauts.

If they do though, they will have done their greatest enemies a huge favour.

It’s arguably the biggest night of the season.

The build-up to tonight’s game between Tottenham and Manchester City has been bizarre, and that’s an understatement.

This game feels like it is going to decide the Premier League title race between City and Spurs’ bitter rivals, Arsenal.

However, Tottenham fans could think of nothing worse than seeing the Gunners lift the trophy aloft on Sunday, but if they beat the Citizens tonight, that becomes more than a distinct possibility.

I imagine it is going to be one of the strangest atmospheres we have seen, and the match could be the same. Stick with us to see how it will unfold.

I’m intrigued to see what will play out.