Manchester City exact revenge on Spurs in crucial victory
Just three days removed from watching their Champions League dream go up in smoke at the hands of Tottenham, Pep Guardiola and Manchester City got some measure of revenge on their familiar foes.
An early goal from Phil Foden gave City a vital 1-0 victory over Spurs on Saturday at the Etihad, pushing the reigning champions back to the top of the Premier League. It wasn't complete retribution, perhaps, considering that continental success was the crown jewel of City's quadruple push, but it was crucial all the same.
The Citizens now have a one-point lead over Liverpool. Both sides have four matches to play before the title is handed out; the Reds are back in action on Sunday, when they visit Cardiff City.
Jurgen Klopp's men were surely hoping that Spurs could give them a hand in the back-and-forth race by taking points off City on Saturday, but those hopes were dashed quickly when Foden nodded home his first league goal in just the fifth minute of the match. The 18-year-old, of whom big things are expected, got on the end of a header from Sergio Aguero, who himself was found at the back post by an inch-perfect ball from Bernardo Silva.
Neutrals expecting things to kick into high gear after such an early tally - Wednesday's match saw five goals scored in the opening 21 minutes, after all - would ultimately go home disappointed.
Both sides seemed visibly drained, both physically and emotionally, after the rollercoaster of the aforementioned European contest. The intensity was there, most notably from the indefatigable Silva, but the incisive passing and crisp attacking play that has characterized both sides was largely absent.
It was feisty and frenetic, especially in the latter stages as the contest turned into a physical slog, but neither team truly looked capable of crafting multiple chances the way they did on Wednesday.
"The last two days have been really tough for us," Guardiola said after the match, per ESPN FC.
"We could have lost the Premier League today - after Wednesday it was really tough. As a footballer, I could not have done what my players have done today. The title is still in our hands."
Things got tense as the clock ticked down - both on the pitch and, notably, in the stands, where the nerves were palpable from the City fans - but the reigning champions saw out the final minutes to retake top spot in the league, and take a massive step toward retaining their crown.