Tottenham 2-2 Man City Match Report as Solanke brace seals incredible comeback

Tottenham Hotspur fought their way back from two goals down at half-time against Man City, as a second-half brace from Dominic Solanke ensured the home side salvaged a point.

Every week, it feels like someone from this Tottenham side steps up just when Thomas Frank appears to be right on the brink of getting sacked, and this time it was Dominic Solanke who played the role of saviour.

Frank was lucky to have just enough players available to put out an XI in an injury-ravaged Spurs squad, yet was still forced to deploy several of them in unfamiliar positions. Radu Dragusin was handed his first start of the season, while midfielders Joao Palhinha and Archie Gray were asked to fill in across the defence.

First half: Tottenham 0-2 Man City

With so many square pegs in round holes, Tottenham never really settled, and Manchester City were able to exploit that lack of cohesion almost immediately when Antoine Semenyo forced Guglielmo Vicario into an early low save.

However, the opening goal arrived when Yves Bissouma lost possession cheaply in midfield, allowing Erling Haaland to release Rayan Cherki down the right, whose shot took a slight deflection off Dragusin before finding the far corner.

City should have doubled their lead soon after when Rodri’s long pass sent Haaland clean through on goal, but the striker lifted his effort over the bar with only Vicario to beat. The Italian goalkeeper then produced a superb stop to deny Cherki a second, reacting sharply after the winger wriggled free inside the box.

City eventually doubled their lead just before the break, when Dragusin’s loose clearance was worked into Antoine Semenyo’s path before he curled a finish past Vicario to make it 2-0 at half-time.

Second half: Tottenham 2-2 Man City

Thomas Frank surprisingly decided to withdraw captain Cristian Romero and introduce midfielder Pape Sarr during the interval.

Booed off at the break by their own supporters, Spurs emerged with far greater purpose and cohesion, and they were quickly on the front foot. Destiny Udogie tested Gianluigi Donnarumma early on, before Tottenham found a route back into the game.

Xavi Simons’ clever pass picked out Solanke, whose effort came off Marc Geuhi’s foot on the way through and bounced over the line, with the goal standing after a brief VAR check.

After a relatively quiet spell, Tottenham completed the comeback in spectacular fashion as Solanke produced a scorpion kick from Conor Gallagher’s cross to level the scores and ignite the stadium.

With momentum firmly on their side, Spurs pushed for a winner, with Gianluigi Donnarumma first tipping away a curling effort from Xavi Simons, before later denying substitute Wilson Odobert from close range after he was brilliantly set up.

FT: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2-2 MANCHESTER CITY

SpursWeb man of the match: Dominic Solanke

What’s next for Spurs?

Credit where it’s due, few expected that kind of response from Tottenham in the second half, especially given the pressure Frank is under, the mounting injuries, and the continued lack of backing in the transfer market. Whatever was said at the interval worked, and Spurs looked a completely different side after the restart.

With less than 24 hours remaining in the transfer window, Tottenham simply have to act.

There were concerns that Romero’s withdrawal at half-time was injury-related, but Frank later explained it was due to an illness he had already been dealing with, while Solanke was also taken off late on with what appeared to be an ankle issue, albeit with the hope it’s nothing serious, given his recent scoring form.

Beyond Solanke’s brace, Xavi Simons once again stood out, producing arguably his best Premier League display to date with four chances created, the most dribbles in the match, seven recoveries, and an assist. Each week, he looks more at home.

After a week’s rest, Tottenham Hotspur travel to Old Trafford next Saturday to face Michael Carrick’s Manchester United, who arrive on a three-game winning run.

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