With a spectacular comeback and a 4-2 victory over Tottenham, Riyad Mahrez scored twice to give Manchester City new life.
Spurs scored twice through Dejan Kulusevski and Emerson Royal in the final seconds of the first half as a result of blunders by Ederson at the Etihad Stadium, shocking the Premier League winners.
Pep Guardiola’s team rallied after the break despite the fact that they were eight points behind league leaders Arsenal and had played one more game.
3️⃣ goals in 1️⃣2️⃣ minutes at the Etihad! 🤯
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 19, 2023
🔵 3-2 ⚪️ #ManCity pic.twitter.com/H0W2z0HjiE
Erling Haaland scored his first goal in four games to put the score even before the decisive Mahrez scored again to seal the victory. Julian Alvarez had previously pulled one goal back.
The comeback kept City from suffering their third straight loss across all competitions, and Arsenal will likely regret their opponents’ failure to inflict further damage on the champions as a result.
In response to recent issues with City, particularly Saturday’s derby loss to Manchester United, manager Guardiola changed his lineup.
Kevin De Bruyne was unexpectedly added to the roster of substitutes, and World Cup champion Alvarez was given the opportunity to start with Haaland.
Without De Bruyne, City did lack dynamism but such was the control they exerted in the first half that it was remarkable they ended it 2-0 down.
Mahrez fired a free-kick into the wall, Ilkay Gundogan curled a shot just wide and Alvarez had an effort blocked. Rodri was also shut down on the edge of the area and Hugo Lloris saved well from a deflected shot from impressive youngster Rico Lewis.
Haaland was quiet but still headed a good chance over and was denied by Lloris after another run into the area.
Yet Spurs still carried a threat and only a vital header from Nathan Ake prevented Kane unleashing a volley while Son Heung-min headed at Ederson.
HALF-TIME Man City 0-2 Spurs
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 19, 2023
Two late goals in the half gives Antonio Conte's side the lead at the break#MCITOT pic.twitter.com/a2xwYJigoz
City hardly had time to regroup before they conceded again, Ederson again culpable as he palmed a Kane cross towards Emerson, who simply headed back into the goal.
City were booed by a small section of fans as they headed for the dressing room but their response was remarkable.
Mahrez took control of affairs and, after his cross into the box resulted in a goalmouth scramble, Alvarez lifted the ball into the roof of the net to reduce the deficit six minutes after the restart.
Mahrez was again involved as City equalised two minutes later. This time the Algeria winger headed across goal to tee up Haaland’s 28th goal of the season from close range.
Spurs tried to respond and were unlucky when an Ivan Perisic shot was deflected onto the post by Lewis but they generally struggled to contain City.
They were undone by Mahrez again when he turned Perisic and raced into the area to drive a low shot through the legs of Lloris and put City ahead.
Spurs pushed but could not get back into the game and Mahrez wrapped up the points late on after seizing on an error by Clement Lenglet and clipping home.