Highlights - Manchester City's Stunning Comeback Secures Victory Over Tottenham, Keeps Title Defense Alive

- World Soccer Today -

 On January 19th, 2023, Manchester City made a comeback to beat Tottenham 4-2 at the Etihad. 

City had been down 2-0 at halftime due to goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Emerson Royal, but Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland, and Riyad Mahrez scored in a 12-minute period early in the second half to turn the game around. 

Mahrez added another goal later on to move City to within five points of the league leaders, Arsenal. 

The loss leaves Tottenham five points behind the top four. 

Guardiola's decision to make five changes from the team that lost to Manchester United was initially questioned, but his strategy paid off in the end.

The comeback win was a crucial one for Manchester City, as it prevented a potentially fatal blow to their Premier League title defense. 

City had been staring down the barrel of a second consecutive defeat after the two goals from Tottenham just before halftime. 

However, Guardiola's team selection, which included pairing Alvarez alongside Haaland in a change of system, ultimately proved to be a wise move. 

The champions took just 18 minutes to turn the game around in the second half, with Alvarez starting the fightback by finding the roof of the net amidst a goalmouth scramble.

This was a remarkable feat for Manchester City as they had a slow start and Tottenham took advantage of it by taking a 2-0 lead by half time. 

But, Guardiola stuck to his guns at half-time instead of sending on the cavalry from the bench, and it paid off. 

The hosts were level within two minutes of Alvarez's goal as Haaland ended his three-game goal drought by heading in Mahrez's ball across the face of goal.

The loss for Tottenham was a frustrating one as they had an opportunity to get the next goal but Ivan Perisic's shot deflected off Rico Lewis onto the post.

 Instead, it was City who got the decisive fifth goal with questions set to be asked again of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. 

The former French captain's own goal handed Arsenal the perfect start at the weekend and he was beaten again at his near post, although Mahrez's strike did take a deflection off Ben Davies.

Overall, the match was a thrilling one, filled with drama and action. 

City's comeback win was a testament to their resilience and determination, and it has kept their title defense alive. 

On the other hand, Tottenham's slow start proved costly and they will have to work hard to catch up to the top four.