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Tottenham v Man City ratings: Dragusin 4, Solanke 9; Cherki 8, Haaland 6

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Tottenham v Man City ratings: Dragusin 4, Solanke 9; Cherki 8, Haaland 6 - thenationalnews.com
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Manchester City blew a two-goal lead to draw ⁠2-2 at Tottenham ​Hotspur on Sunday with Dominic ​Solanke's double for the ‌hosts handing their North ​London rivals Arsenal a huge Premier League title boost.

Tottenham were comprehensively outplayed in the first half ‌but everything changed after the break and ‍Solanke earned his ‍side a deserved point with an acrobatic ⁠moment of magic.

First-half goals by Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo had City cruising towards a win that would have cut Arsenal's lead back to four points and a listless Tottenham left the field to boos at the interval.

But Solanke poked in from close range early in the second half to revive home hopes and his second in the ⁠70th minute was one ​that will be ‍replayed over and over as he dived forward to ⁠meet ‌Conor Gallagher's cross and conjured a flicked finish ⁠with his heel that looped in over ⁠City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Second-placed City's fourth draw in six league games left them on 47 points, six points behind Arsenal, who won 4-0 at Leeds United on Saturday.

What they said:

Spurs manager Thomas Frank: "I'm extremely happy that we finally got a point out of a big second half. I said it before, this team’s ability to respond to setbacks and show resilience, I think we are growing it bit by bit ... I think that shows everything about the team and what they are building. Very proud of the players.”

City manager Pep Guardiola: “The game was well played ... We would prefer not to have the transition but an emotional issue for the first goal that the referee conceded to Spurs and after that the momentum is difficult to control.”

Tottenham Hotspur ratings

Guglielmo Vicario - 7/10: Italian keeper should have done better with Cherki's opener. Denied the same player a second with a stunning save. Surprisingly quiet second half as City's attacking threat all but disappeared.

Archie Gray - 6/10: Playing at right wing-back due to injury crisis but part of a dismal first-half defensive display. Remarkable turnaround after the break from the entire team.

Cristian Romero - 5/10: Skinned by sublime Cherki skill in first half which almost led to a goal. Captain was hooked at half-time as manager Frank reshuffled his defence from a back three to a flat back four.

Radu Dragusin - 4/10: Should have been far quicker to close down Cherki ahead of City's first goal. Dreadful ball out from the back led to City's second goal.

Joao Palhinha - 6/10: Part of a back three in the opening 45 minutes that never looked comfortable. Made some crunching tackles in the second.

Destiny Udogie - 7/10: Forced a save out of Donnarumma just after half-time with a well-hit strike.

Conor Gallagher - 6/10: Industrious as always in midfield. One wild, ambitious shot from distance that sailed high and wide. Fine interception and cross to set up Solanke's second.

Yves Bissouma - 5/10: Lost possession in central midfield, which lead to City's opener. Booked after the goal for a foul on Haaland.

Randal Kolo Muani - 4/10: Somehow escaped a yellow card for a clumsy late foul on Rodri. Offered very little and was no shock to see him taken off in the second half.

Xavi Simons - 7/10: Constantly being urged by Spurs fans to shoot but reluctant to pull the trigger in the first half. Forced a superb save from Donnarumma as Spurs piled on the pressure at 2-2. Booked for foul on Rodri.

Dominic Solanke - 8/10: Scored the first goal of his career against City just after half-time despite initially given as an own-goal. Wonderful improvised back-heel finish to make it 2-2. Limped off in added time, which will be a concern after an injury-ravaged campaign.

Substitutes:

Pape Matar Sarr (for Romero, 46') - 7/10: Brought some much-needed solidity into Spurs' midfield.

Wilson Odobert (for Bissouma, 68') - 7/10: Almost made it 3-2 but denied by boot of Donnarumma.

Mathys Tel (for Kolo Muani, 68') - 5/10: Little impact.

Jun'ai Byfield (for Solanke, 90') - N/A: Premier League debut for teenager.

Manchester City ratings

Gianluigi Donnarumma - 8/10: Called into serious action for the first time just after the break to tip Udogie's effort over the bar. Busy second half with other vital saves from Odobert and Simons. Got fingertip to Solanke's wonder finish but could not keep it out.

Matheus Nunes - 7/10: Has made right-back spot his own this season and was rock solid again.

Abdukodir Khusanov - 7/10: Uzbekistan defender has been at City a year now and his improvement is clear. Booked for reckless late tackle on Gallagher after 20 minutes.

Marc Guehi - 7/10: January arrival believed he had been fouled by Solanke as the Spurs striker kicked through the back of his leg to score - but the officials felt otherwise.

Nico O'Reilly - 6/10: Failed to deal with Gallagher's surging run down his left flank ahead of Spurs making it 2-2, but still a reliable player for City.

Rodri - 8/10: Quality ball over the top to set up first-half chance for Haaland, but the Norwegian couldn't finish. His passing radar was working at high levels throughout.

Antonie Semenyo - 6/10: Winger saw a shot saved after two minutes but did score just before half-time with a calm finish into the corner, although fluffed his acrobatic celebration. Disappeared after the break.

Rayan Cherki - 8/10: Produced a clinical low finish to put City ahead. French attacker almost made it two with a mazy run past two defenders before seeing goal-bound shot tipped wide.

Bernardo Silva - 7/10: Picked Bissouma's pocket to start the move for City's opening goal. Nice little pass to supply Semenyo for the second. Limped off late on.

Rayan Ait-Nouri - 6/10: Algerian defender played Spurs onside ahead of Solanke pulling a goal back for home side. Some surging runs forward but not a huge amount of end product.

Erling Haaland - 6/10: Could and should have made it 2-0 in 18th minute but could only lob the ball just over the bar. Next real chance didn't arrive until the last 10 minutes when a goalmouth scramble ended with the Norwegian's chipped effort being deflected over bar.

Substitutes

Tijjani Reijnders (for Chekri, 70') - 6/10: Had two headed chances but could not hit the target with either

Nico Gonzalez (for Ait-Nouri, 70') - 6/10: Arrived on the pitch moments before Spurs levelled.

Phil Foden (for Silva, 88') - N/A: Had no time to influence the game.

Tottenham v Man United ratings: Kolo Muani 3, Richarlison 5; Cunha 5, Mbeumo 8

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Matthijs de Ligt rescued a point for Manchester United deep into stoppage time after a dramatic finish to their Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur in North London.

Bryan Mbeumo had given United a 32nd lead in a first half bereft of quality with what was the only effort on target from either team.

And the Red Devils looked on course for a victory that would have lifted them to second in the table, albeit with the rest of this weekend's top-flight matches still be played, only to be hit with a double sucker-punch by the home team.

First, Destiny Udogie found fellow substitute Mathys Tel with a low cross which the Frenchman controlled with a fine first touch before turning to shot home via a deflection.

Then Richarlison, who had been virtually anonymous apart from missing an early headed chance, flicked home Wilson Odobert's long-range shot past Senne Lammens in the United goal.

It was the third game in a row United have conceded two goals and their defensive frailties remains a major problem for manager Ruben Amorim whose team sit seventh in the table.

But in the sixth minute of stoppage time, De Ligt headed home from a tight angle, despite the desperate efforts of keeper Guglielmo Vicario to keep it out.

“You saw today we are really dangerous, we have a lot of speed up front, we are really stable, we know our strengths and utilise them,” said United defender De Ligt.

“Today we had more opportunities to get in behind them because they are vulnerable, we played a good game and I think we deserved a little more.”

It was a frustrating afternoon for Spurs following on from a dismal home less to Chelsea last weekend, although they did manage to thrashing Copenhagen in the Uefa Champions League on Wednesday. Thomas Frank's side are third, level on 18 points with Liverpool, Sunderland, Bournemouth and United.

Tottenham Hotspur

(4-2-3-1)

Guglielmo Vicario – 7/10: Picked the ball out of net twice from United's only two efforts on target with Spurs' marking disappearing for both. A quiet day apart from that.

Pedro Porro – 4/10: Should have been closer and more aware of Mbeumo, who was his man, after Cameroonian was left free to nod home United's opener. Crossing was dreadful at times.

Cristiano Romero – 7/10: Argentine defender was booked for reckless sliding challenge on Dorgu moments after United opened the scoring. Denied leveller when he flicked glorious opportunity straight at Lammens' legs.

Micky van de Ven – 7/10: Dubbed 'Messi van de Ven' by his manager after his midweek wonder goal against Copenhagen but stuck to his defensive duties diligently here without any marauding runs forward. Prevented Sesko scoring late on with excellent tackle.

Djed Spence – 7/10: Switched from left-back to right-back in second half looking solid in both roles. One perfect covering tackle in second half when Sesko threatened to get in on goal.

Joao Palhinha – 6/10: Portuguese midfielder had acrobatic volley saved by keeper as Spurs finally came to life in second half.

Pape Matar Sarr – 6/10: Important foot in to turn attempted Cunha effort in first half out for corner. Put in a shift and at least tried to drive side forward, although did concede possession inside his own penalty area ahead of United's opener.

Randal Kolo Muani – 3/10: Loan signing from PSG's influence and impact in the opening 45 minutes was non-existent. No shock when he was hooked at break after touching the ball just 12 times – but there were plenty of other candidates in his defence.

Xavi Simons – 4/10: Still waiting for the big money summer signing from RB Leipzig, who started in his favoured central role, to find his feet in the Premier League.

Brennan Johnson – 5/10: A goal and red card in Wednesday's thrashing of Copenhagen, booked for pushing ahead of a United corner after half an hour here. Had ball in back of net just after hour mark but caught well offside.

Richarlison – 5/10: Had first big chance of match for either team after 15 minutes but completely messed up a free header. Shifted from left into central role after half-time but did very little until flicking home an injury-time headed winner.

Substitutes

Wilson Odobert (Muani 46') – 7/10: Set up Romero for Spurs' first shot on target with curling cross not long after coming on. His shot on goal was flicked in by Richarlison for later winner.

Destiny Udogie (Porro 66') – 7/10: Fluffed chance to make instant impact when he failed to pick out a teammate after finding space in the United box – much to home fans' frustration. Made up for it when his low cross found Tel who made it 1-1.

Rodrigo Bentancur (Palhinha 79') – N/A: No opportunity to make mark.

Mathys Tel (Simons 79') – N/A: Within four minutes of coming on had dragged Spurs level with fine turn followed by deflected finish.

Kevin Danso (Romero 79') – N/A: No opportunity to make mark.

Manchester United ratings

(3-4-3)

Senne Lammens – 7/10: Under pressure but not really called on until early in the second half when he made a superb save, getting down to his right to saved from Romero. Two minutes later he saved from Palhinha as United looked vulnerable. Then the late goals killed United.

Harry Maguire – 6/10: A start and again he was the central defender who go most advanced. Didn’t do much wrong and usually up against one time United target Muani. United’s shape worked.

Matthijs de Ligt – 7/10: One Johnson cross got behind him to Richarlison, who should have scored. Tel turned on him and scored Spurs’ equaliser, but De Ligt got an equaliser of his own, heading from a corner on 96 minutes.

Luke Shaw – 6/10: Another defender who did little wrong. Not spectacular. Doesn’t need to be.

Noussair Mazraoui – 6/10: Near ever present last season, injury means it was only his third start in 12 Premier League games. Better defending than attacking in a bitty encounter.

Casemiro – 6/10: Ok, but took too many passes and uncharacteristically wasteful. Headed a ball back towards Palhinha who shot on target in second half

Bruno Fernandes – 6/10: Sluggish first half. And lost a ball which led to Spurs putting the ball into the net, though it was offside. Didn't win tackles and not a good day for him.

Patrick Dorgu – 5/10: The crosses didn’t quite come off, the long throws too. Better – much better – defending than attacking. Booked, needlessly and taken off a minute later.

Amad Diallo – 7/10: More advanced than in recent weeks. Perfect cross to set up Mbeumo’s opener. Moved back when Mazraoui went off. One lovely ball to Fernandes in second half, though Odobert went past him on the outside twice.

Matheus Cunha – 5/10: Tried to be a foil for those around, but his poorest game yet for United. Not involved enough.

Bryan Mbeumo – 8/10: Squared a good early ball after good work on the left. Offside. It didn’t look it. Then he headed his team ahead. He didn't need to jump, but placed it perfectly, then ran to the 3,000 away fans and urged more support. Wasn’t just the goal, he put a defensive shift in too.

Substitutes

Benjamin Sesko (Mazraoui 58') – 5/10: Stopped from pulling the trigger by the rapid Van de Ven. Hobbled off injured to leave United with 10 men late on.

Mason Mount (Cunha 72') – 5/10: Tremendous reading of a situation to break up one Spurs attack.

Lenny Yorro (Maguire 72') – 5/10: Two late goals for Spurs but not down to him.

Manuel Ugarte (Casemiro 72') – 5/10: Poor.

Diogo Dalot (Dorgu 80') –?/10: Gave the ball away with first touch.

Honeymoonish

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