Tottenham 1-0 Manchester City: Harry Kane breaks Spurs goal-scoring record to deal City setback in title chase

Manchester City missed the chance to cut the gap to the Premier League summit as Harry Kane’s landmark goal led 10-man Tottenham to a 1-0 victory that bolsters their own top four hopes.

It also saw Kane become just the third man to score 200 Premier League goals and was the highlight of a first half in which the hosts were the better side despite having far less of the ball.

City toiled but Riyad Mahrez almost levelled on the stroke of half-time when his thumping strike came back off the crossbar.

Tottenham, who were without coach Antonio Conte as he recovers from gallbladder surgery, continued to threaten on the counter attack following the break with Kane almost doubling his tally on a number of occasions.

At the other end, Erling Haaland was again a peripheral figure and City’s best chance of an equaliser came when Julian Alvarez’s goal-bound strike was deflected over the bar by Eric Dier.

Spurs saw Cristian Romero sent off for a second bookable offence three minutes from the end but held on for a deserved victory.

The result means City fail to take advantage of Arsenal’s defeat at Everton and sees the Citizens remain five points adrift of the Gunners having played a game more.

Tottenham stay fifth but are now just one point behind fourth-placed Newcastle, albeit having also played a game more.

Next up, Man City host Aston Villa on Sunday while Tottenham travel to Leicester on Saturday.

Talking point

Advantage Arsenal. Pep Guardiola has made no secret of the fact he has expected more of his players in recent weeks and benching Kevin de Bruyne for ‘tactical reasons’ demonstrated that clearly no one is beyond rebuke in his eyes.

City did not respond and this was a hugely frustrating afternoon for the champions, who continue to look out of sorts after failing to take advantage of Arsenal’s slip at Everton on Saturday.

It means the clash between the top two on Wednesday February 15 takes on even greater significance, but City will need to improve – and find a way to get more out of Haaland – if they are to reel the Gunners back in.

As for Spurs, this was the perfect tonic for Conte as he recovers from surgery and it was also fitting that Kane secured his milestones at the expense of a team who so openly made advances for his services before going cold. The 29-year-old will be the toast of the whole of North London tonight with Arsenal supporters just as happy with his strike.

The Lilywhites can say they are firmly back in the race for the top four, but will need to kick on and prove this is a turning point as there have been a number of false dawns in the past after big wins.

Player of the match

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham). The Dane was everywhere in that midfield, strangling the space, making crucial challenges and using the ball intelligently. It was his quick reading of the game to follow up an interception with a clever pass that led to Kane’s winner.

Player Ratings

SPURS: Lloris 7, Emerson 8, Romero 5, Dier 8, Davies 8, Perisic 7, Hojbjerg 9, Bentancur 8, Kulusevski 8, Kane 9, Son 7. Subs: Sessegnon 6, Bissouma n/a, Sanchez n/a.

MAN CITY: Ederson 7, Walker 7, Akanji 6, Ake 6, Lewis 6, Rodri 5, Silva 6, Grealish 7, Mahrez 6, Haaland 5, Alvarez 5.Subs: De Bruyne 7, Gundogan n/a.

Match Highlights

15’ – GOAL! – Tottenham 1-0 Man City. Kane collects Hojbjerg’s pass and fires in a landmark goal after a hospital pass from Rodri gave the hosts a gilt-edged opening.

45+1’ – MAN CITY CHANCE! Mahrez takes down Grealish’s half cleared cross at the far post but sees his thumping shot come back off the crossbar.

57’ – TOTTENHAM CHANCE! Davies meets a right-wing corner but can only guide his header over at the near post.

65’ – MAN CITY CHANCES! Alvarez waits on the edge of the area as KDB pulls a left-wing free kick into his path. The Argentine lets fly with a shot that hits Dier and flies just over the top.

City come again and Akanji sees another shot from inside the area well blocked.

70’ – TOTTENHAM CHANCE! Kane takes Son’s pass and drives right between Walker and Akanji before seeing his shot well saved by Ederson.

87’ – TOTTENHAM RED CARD! Romero brings a mazy run from Grealish to an abrupt halt and deservedly picks up his second caution of the game. Spurs are down to 10-men!

Key Stats

Kane is the third player to score 200 goals in the Premier League, after Alan Shearer (260) and Wayne Rooney (208). Kane scored his 200th goal in his 304th game, fewer than both Shearer (306) and Rooney (462).

Manchester City have lost all five of their matches against Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, failing to score a single goal despite having 84 shot attempts.