Tottenham handed arch rivals Arsenal a major boost in the Premier League title race on Sunday afternoon when they came back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw against Manchester City.
But who found the game ‘a real struggle?’ Who is ‘obviously going to become a real star’ in the future? And which world-class midfielder ‘needs time’ to hit their usual standards?
The result means the Gunners are now six points clear at the top of the Premier League table, with City again slipping up from a commanding position to put their chances of regaining the title in greater doubt.
As for Spurs, it was a spirited comeback for Thomas Frank and his side, who built on their success in the Champions League with a solid second-half showing. They are still 14th in the standings, however.
A stunning goal from Dominic Solanke – who Spurs will hope is not injured again after he limped off – and some strong performances in an injury crisis were the main pluses for the hosts, though.
Daily Mail Sport’s MATT BARLOW and JACK GAUGHAN were at the Emirates to run the rule over the players.
Dominic Solanke (left) scored a stunning equaliser for Tottenham against Manchester City
Thomas Frank’s Tottenham came from 2-0 down to draw with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City
Tottenham (3-4-3)
Guglielmo Vicario – 6
The first went past him a little too easily from an angle but made a fabulous save to deny Cherki a second soon after and was hopelessly exposed for the second. Never inspired anything but various degrees of panic with the ball at his feet.
Joao Palhinha – 6.5
Pinned in during the first half by Semenyo who stopped him stepping forward as he did effectively from this position against Eintracht Frankfurt. Strong second-half display as an orthodox centre half in a back four. Won some big tackles and important physical presence.
Cristian Romero – 5
City left him spare in the centre of the back three and forced him to make decisions when to step out and engage in midfield, but when he did they zipped the ball about too quickly he could not influence the game. Withdrawn at half-time.
Radu Dragusin – 5
A real struggle on his first start for more than a year. Haaland sought to play on him with Cherki in support thriving in space. Unable to close down Cherki for the first. Poor ball out of defence led to the second. Credit due for battling through to a better second-half.
Archie Gray – 6.5
Started in an unfamiliar position at wing back. Too preoccupied by Semenyo to threaten anything going forward. Far more comfortable at right back in a back four in the second half and dug in until the end despite being in discomfort.
Conor Gallagher – 6
Swamped by City’s mobility in the first half. Rolling O’Reilly and Cherki inside to create midfield overloads, the visitors dominated the game. Brilliant break from midfield and early cross for the second Solanke goal and important defensive contributions late on.
Yves Bissouma – 5
Brought in from the cold and caught cold for the City opener. Dithered on the ball deep in midfield, inviting Silva to make the steal and the Spurs defence was exposed. Overrun in the first half and replaced by Odobert.
Destiny Udogie – 6
Subdued and uncertain in the first half as Cherki tormented him and Dragusin. Rarely convincing when asked to defend. Unleashed as an attacking force in the second. Fierce shot saved as Spurs launched a fight back.
Radu Dragusin (left) had a tough afternoon on his first start in more than a year as Erling Haaland (right) targeted him
Randal Kolo Muani – 5
Goal in Frankfurt but continues to find the Premier League difficult to crack. Anonymous out wide in the first-half. Slightly more effective up front with Solanke for 20 minutes after the interval before replaced by Tel.
Xavi Simons – 8
Brighter than most on the ball in the first half. Increasingly influential in the second half. Perpetual motion, finding pockets of space, threading passes despite lots of physical attention and forcing a fine save from Donnarumma. Booked for a late tackle on Rodri.
Dominic Solanke – 8.5
Left to forage alone in the first half and made little impact on the counter because City are so quick at the back. Great strength to protect the ball for the Guehi own goal. Wonderful flick for the second. Four in four since his first start of the season and with England boss Thomas Tuchel in the stands.
Substitutes
Pape Matar Sarr – 7.5
On at half-time for Romero as Spurs switched to a back four to combat City’s fluent system. Key to the revival. Injected energy, aggression and endeavour to the midfield. Won the ball and helped hustle the visitors from their comfortable passing rhythms.
Wilson Odobert – 7
On for Bissouma 68 mins. Lively. Pace gave City problems as Spurs pushed for a winner at 2-2. Forced an excellent save from Donnarumma and close to latching onto a Simons cross.
Mathys Tel – 5
On for Kolo Munani 68 mins and worked hard to little effect. 5
Junai Byfield (for Solanke, 90+1)
Manager
Thomas Frank – 6
Solanke has scored four in four since his first start of the season – with England boss Thomas Tuchel in the stands on Sunday
Man City (4-2-3-1)
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 8
Top save to deny Udogie at the start of the second-half. Kept City in it after that as the visitors almost buckled.
Matheus Nunes – 6
Performance dipped after the break, allowing Xavi Simons and Mathys Tel to have a bit more joy down Tottenham’s left.
Abdukodir Khusanov – 6.5
Obviously going to become a real star. Even while occasionally manoeuvred into uncomfortable positions, remains aggressive in his duels.
Marc Guehi – 7
The picture of calm for much of the game, although even he looked ruffled when Spurs were on top. Unfortunate for the first goal but some moments of proper defensive quality.
Rayan Ait-Nouri – 5
Somewhat erratic at left back – especially in the early part of the second-half. Struggles with the defensive side of the role.
Rodri – 6.5
Doesn’t look match fit and patrolling deep midfield alone was a big ask. Positionally still remains sharp as ever and his statistics were strong but needs time.
Rayan Cherki – 7.5
Mesmeric off the right of City’s narrow midfield. Stunning opener and bamboozled with his dribbling. Almost netted a sublime second. Came off injured.
Bernardo Silva – 7
Major contributions to both first-half goals and his usual bundle of energy with a bit of quality on the ball. Appeared to injure his hamstring.
Marc Guehi (left) was the picture of calm for much of the game and showed off his defensive quality – despite an unlucky own goal
Nico O’Reilly – 6
In and out. Progressed the ball well when City were cruising yet didn’t win enough of his one-on-one battles.
Erling Haaland – 6.5
Improvement on recent performances, dropping off the front to link, before tailing off as City lost control and then later coming back into it.
Antoine Semenyo – 6.5
Looked to be having a tough day where nothing was coming off before confidently stroking home the second goal.
Substitutes
Nico Gonzalez (for Ait-Nouri, 69) – 6
Tijjani Reijnders (for Cherki, 69) – 5.5
Phil Foden (for Silva, 88)
Omar Marmoush (for Rodri, 90)
Manager
Pep Guardiola – 6
