Sports

Mahrez the hero in Manchester City’s comeback win over Spurs

Sports Desk, Jan 19 (EFE).- Riyad Mahrez had a double and contributed to two other goals Thursday as defending Premier League champions Manchester City overcame a 2-0 deficit at halftime to beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-2.

The victory, which came amid a run of poor form for the Cityzens, lifted Pep Guardiola’s men to 42 points, 5 behind league leaders Arsenal, who have a game in hand.

Spurs remain fifth in the table with 33 points, just 2 better than promoted Fulham.

Guardiola signaled his unhappiness with the team’s recent performances by leaving the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva on the bench at the start of the match at the Etihad.

Though there was action at both ends of the pitch, the first save came only in the 36th minute, when City goalkeeper Ederson dealt easily with a header from Son Heung-min.

Three minutes later, Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris was called into action to stop a dangerous strike from Rico Lewis. The Frenchman denied Erling Haaland in the 42nd minute and watched the Norwegian fire over the cross-bar the following minute.

Spurs grabbed the lead in the 44th, as Ederson’s poor pass to Rodri on the edge of the area created a perfect scoring opportunity for Dejan Kulusevski and the midfielder made the most of it.

And things got even worse for the hosts before the break.

Harry Kane stole the ball from Rodri and took a shot. While Ederson made the save, Emerson Royal got his head to the rebound and Spurs led 2-0.

World Cup winner Julian Alvarez got City back into the game in the 51st minute.

The play began with Mahrez, who blew past Ivan Perisic and directed a cross into the middle that Lloris couldn’t block due to pressure from Jack Grealish and the ball ended up with Alvarez.

City were back on terms just two minutes later with a goal from Haaland, assisted by Mahrez. The Norwegian has 22 Premier League goals at the mid-point of the campaign, just one fewer than 2021-2022 golden boot Mohamed Salah scored during all of last season.

Perisic had a chance for Spurs on the counter at the hour, but Lewis deflected the Croatian’s shot and it bounced harmlessly off the post.

Mahrez nudged City ahead in the 63rd minute with an effort that Lloris should have stopped.

The Algerian went on to nail down the points for City with a goal in the final minute. EFE apa/dr

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