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Haaland double puts Man City on brink of Premier League history

Haaland double puts Man City on brink of Premier League history
Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring his second goal during the Premier League match against Tottenham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on 14 May 2024. (Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring his second goal during the Premier League match against Tottenham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on 14 May 2024. (Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
  • Manchester City beat Tottenham 2-0 away to take a giant leap towards another Premier League title.
  • Erling Haaland was the hero with a brace of goals.
  • If City beat West Ham on Sunday they will win the league for a record fourth season in a row.
  • For more Premier League news, visit our dedicated section.


Erling Haaland scored twice to settle Manchester City's nerves as the Premier League champions beat Tottenham 2-0 to take a giant step towards a historic fourth straight English title on Tuesday.

The Norwegian forward tapped home a pinpoint Kevin De Bruyne cross early in the second half to score City's first-ever league goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

And he netted a late penalty to seal the three points for the visitors, minutes after substitute goalkeeper Stefan Ortega saved brilliantly from Son Heung-min.

The win takes Pep Guardiola's team two points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table after 37 games.

Victory at the Etihad against West Ham on Sunday will make them champions for a fourth consecutive season, regardless of the Gunners' result against Everton.

No team in English top-flight history has ever won four titles in a row.

Defeat for Spurs also guarantees that Aston Villa will finish in the fourth Champions League spot, joining City, Arsenal and Liverpool in Europe's top-tier competition next season.

"We gave the chance in our hands for the last game," Guardiola told the BBC. "The tennis players say 'The serve to win Wimbledon, the last game, is the most difficult one'.

"It happened in our period against Aston Villa (in 2022). And many, many years ago it happened with Sergio Aguero (scoring) in 93 minutes 20 seconds against QPR. So there will be the typical game."

Guardiola called for help from City's fans to get them over the line.

"We know what we're playing for," he said. "The tension is there, the rival is so good. It's why it is difficult, we know that.

"Everyone come to the stadium and make noise. These games are more difficult but you have to do it. We'll have one day off, two days to prepare, and then we will do our best."

'Stand up if you hate Arsenal'

The build-up to the game in north London was dominated by a fierce debate over whether home fans wanted their own team to lose in order to leave City in the driving seat, with Arsenal their nearest challengers.

The Spurs supporters made their feelings towards their bitter local rivals clear in the opening minutes, with chants of "Stand up if you hate Arsenal" ringing around the stadium.

Tottenham had the first sight of goal, with City's Ederson tipping over a fierce Rodrigo Bentancur effort before Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario kept out Phil Foden's close-range shot.

City, who came into the match unbeaten in 21 league matches, were short of their fluent best while Spurs struggled to put the finishing touches to their attacking moves.

Moments after the re-start Vicario dived full length to keep out a stinging De Bruyne effort.

But the visitors broke the deadlock in the 51st minute when Bernardo Silva found De Bruyne in the box and the Belgian crossed for Haaland to slot home from point-blank range.

Thousands of Spurs fans chanted "Are you watching Arsenal" as the City faithful celebrated in their corner.

The game then became disjointed as De Bruyne was raked down the Achilles by Pape Sarr before Ederson took a blow to the head in denying Cristian Romero and was replaced shortly afterwards by Ortega.

The German was called into action immediately, denying substitute Dejan Kulusevski from close range.

Time stood still when Son burst through with five minutes of normal time remaining but Ortega saved with his legs when the South Korean seemed certain to score.

Guardiola fell to the ground, clutching his head in disbelief.

Instead City were awarded a penalty when Pedro Porro brought down substitute Jeremy Doku and Haaland smashed home in the 91st minute to spark wild celebrations from the players in front of the City faithful, taking his league tally to 27 goals for the season.

Last year's treble winners will prepare for Sunday's finale knowing they stand just 90 minutes away from creating another slice of football history.

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0'
Our referee for tonight is Chris Kavanagh, and he will be assisted by Simon Bennett and Daniel Robathan. Our fourth official is Graham Scott.
0'
Man City: 31 Ederson 2 K. Walker 3 Rúben Dias 25 M. Akanji 24 J. Gvardiol 17 K. De Bruyne 8 M. Kovačić 20 Bernardo Silva 16 Rodri 47 P. Foden 9 E. Haaland. Replacements: 10 J. Grealish 18 S. Ortega 11 J. Doku 82 R. Lewis 52 O. Bobb 5 J. Stones 6 N. Aké 27 Matheus Nunes 19 J. Álvarez.
0'
Tottenham Hotspur: 13 G. Vicario 17 C. Romero 6 R. Drăgușin 23 Pedro Porro 37 M. van de Ven 5 P. Højbjerg 10 J. Maddison 30 R. Bentancur 29 P. Sarr 7 Son Heung-Min 22 B. Johnson. Replacements: 21 D. Kulusevski 40 B. Austin 73 T. Hall 18 G. Lo Celso 59 M. Moore 12 Emerson Royal 4 O. Skipp 11 Bryan Gil 44 D. Scarlett.
0'
City… they are on an incredible run of form, and they have won all five of their last five matches.
0'
Spurs are on a poor run of form, having lost four of their last five games, along with one win, which came in their last game against Burnley (2-1).
0'
Man City are in second place with 85 points from their 36 matches and a goal difference of plus-68. They are one point behind Arsenal, with one game in hand (tonight). They will want to go into the last match against Arsenal with a two-point advantage, because they will then have the title in their hands to lose on the final Saturday.
0'
Spurs are in fifth spot on the League table with 63 points from their 36 matches, along with a goal difference of plus-12. Aston Villa are currently in the fourth spot, a full FIVE points ahead of Spurs, but with just one game left to play, on Sunday. Spurs have the match on Sunday as well as tonight's match.
0'
Tonight's clash holds two major races in its clutches… the Premier League title, as well the the key fourth spot in the League, which carries with it an invaluable Champions League spot for next season.
0'
Good evening, and welcome to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London for the English Premier League clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
1'
KICK-OFF! We're underway with the first half!
2'
Akanji is blown for a foul on a Spurs player. Spurs push forward but Man City clear the danger.
4'
Haaland runs onto a ball over the top but is flagged… not happy to be deprived the chance to run onto goal.
6'
City work the ball up to the Spurs box but lose possession… Spurs press up to the City box and the ball is squared to Bentancur, who thrashes a shot on goal… it's right at Ederson and he tips it over the bar.
8'
CLOSE! Walker runs onto a ball over the top, in the box he passes left to De Bruyne, who has a shot on goal that deflects off a defender and skews just past the far post. And THEN the off-side flag goes up. There's a lot of value in this rule, but it does create some unnecessary heart palpitations.
10'
Silva is given a little talking to (but no card) for a trip on an opponent. Spurs with the free-kick.
12'
Nice passing from City, Walker chases a pass but it's too strong and he battles to keep it from going out for a goal-kick, stabbing it instead out for a throw.
14'
CLOSE! City press again, into the box, Spurs forced to play it out for a corner… City take two corners but Spurs clear both.
15'
SCRAMBLE! Inside the box a Spurs defender tries to clear, but it skews over his head and Foden gets to it and volleys hard on goal but VICARIO stretches both arms and it's his right one that blocks it powerfully! Incredible reaction save, as that was on the way to the back of the net.
17'
Spurs into the City box, there's an attempt at shot on goal but it deflects away.
19'
Haaland receives the ball near the D, presses forward after evading a tackle, then he goes to ground just inside the box, but the ref rules that it was a manly tussle and that Haaland should dust himself off and get on with it.
21'
Spurs working the ball around the back now, looking for angles… City intercept, pass out wide to Walker who drives towards the byline then cuts a low cross in… Spurs intercept and press forward into the City half, only to be invited back to their own half.
23'
Spurs passing around the back four as City press, Kovacic wins the ball, but the ref rules that his tackle was a foul. Spurs keep passing around the back four…
24'
… Lovely through ball down the left wing, it's collected and curled into the City box, right at a Spurs striker… but Dias gets in the way to clear the danger.
26'
Haaland makes a good run, but the ball intended for him is blocked and Spurs push forward, they press down the right, a good ball is crossed in… but Dias takes the safe route and concedes a corner.
28'
Spurs spreading the ball from left to right… they press into the City box but a poor pass is out for a City throw.
30'
Walker with a good ball for Silva to run onto down the right touchline, he crosses over into the box but it's cleared by Spurs.
31'
The hosts press up on City and make good progress before City clear the ball upfield.
32'
Spurs charge up the right touchline, Johnson swerves in and fires a shot on goal, but it deflects off Gvardiol's boot and Ederson blocks it, but he's unable to gather it, the ball going out for the corner.
33'
Spurs into the City box, causing some panic, but the first shot in skews wide towards the touchline.
35'
YELLOW CARD, SPURS, BENTANCUR! The Spurs man slides in hard on Foden and catches his trailing leg, preventing the City man from breaking into the Spurs half.
37'
Spurs press hard up the left, there's a heavy challenge on Silva but no card, Spurs pass up the left but City clear the danger.
38'
MISSED! Silva with a good sliding run up the right… passes inside then the chip from De Bruyne out wide but inside the box to Gvardiol who VOLLEYS at the goal but it flashes a good couple of feet over the crossbar. Haaland inside the six-yard box might have been the better option… but considering how many goals Gvardiol has bagged of late it's perhaps now wonder he had a crack at it.
40'
De Bruyne chases up after a ball up the right wing, but it deflects off him as he challenges for the ball.
42'
City free-kick 10m to the left of the Spurs box and toward the halfway line… it's too deep and Spurs clear. City pour back from the right but the attempted cross deflects and bounces perfectly for Vicario to collect.
44'
INCREDIBLE DEFENDING! FODEN CROSSES AND HAALAND SLAPS IT AGAINST A SPURS DEFENDER… IT BOUNCES TO FODEN WHO STRIKES IT FIRST TIME, CURLING IT TOWARDS THE TOP CORNER BUT AGAIN A SPURS DEFENDER BLOCKS IT! Apologies for shouting, but that was incredible… with both shots heading on goal. Magnificent defending. And the ref blows his whistle right on the stroke of 45 minutes. A first half of good, clean fun.
45'
HALF-TIME, SPURS 0-0 MAN CITY. Great action from both sides and some super defending. The scoreline, though, isn't good for either side… so the next 45 minutes should be dynamite of Oppenheimer-like proportions. See you shortly…
46'
KICK-OFF… and the second half is underway
47'
De Bruyne tries to get a cross in from the touchline but it's blocked for a goal-kick… then Spurs try to walk the ball out of their box as if it's Swan Lake… City closing them down… the ball squirts in front of De Bruyne who plays it a foot to his right then HAMMERS it on goal…………… but ONLY a magnificent save with his left hand keeps that shot out of the Spurs goal. Great shot and a great save.
48'
CLOSE! Johnson down the right wing, sends a lovely cross in for Son near the edge of the six-yard box… Ederson comes sliding towards him, Son tries to flick it past the City keeper, but the Brazilian does well to block it.
50'
Spurs passing the ball around the midfield now… to Son on the left touchline, he pulls inside to SHOOT but it's deflected away by Dias… City counter immediately up to the Spurs box, Foden with a lovely runu down the left and cross in, but it's too deep… City reclaim it, it's fed to the byline for De Bruyne who runs onto it and crosses hard into the six-yard box where, BANG-BANG Haaland taps it into the back of the net, but there's not big celebration… they know one is not enough… and VAR will check it…
51'
GOAL, MAN CITY, HAALAND! 0-1; Oh ye of little faith. Haaland's 26th goal is approved by VAR and the City fans… and with that City are, NOW, on top of the League with the title in their hands. And Spurs are out of Europe. But City will need two or three before they relax, "because Premier League".
54'
SUBSTITUTION, SPURS. Bentancur makes way for Kulusevski.
55'
Kulusevski runs on to slick pass but just too tight and it's a City throw. Bentancur practices his karate kicks on the substitute's chairs. Or did he see his mortal enemy the Invisible Man sitting there. Or was he just pee'd off to be substituted. Either way his manager will know his feelings.
57'
YELLOW CARD, SPURS, SARR. Nasty rake down the back of De Bruyne's Achilles by the Spurs man, but replays suggest it was totally accidental. Last thing City want is to lose their talisman now after his injury ridden season.
61'
OWWWWWWW! Spurs curl a beautiful ball in to the far post… Romero races in to get it but Ederson is JUST there ahead of him, but the impact powers the Spurs man into the keeper who claims the ball but ends up flat on his back. Ederson looks in trouble there and the stretcher is out, although with head and neck injuries there are always extra precautions taken.
62'
VAR is happy that it was for an accidental coming together, Romero's hip catching Ederson. The keeper is up now on his. feet, looking groggy… he kicks it deep but slips as he does. Wow, he's one tough guy! Hopefully he is fine and not just running on adrenaline.
63'
City's goalkeeping coach has been yellow-carded for speaking his truth about the lack of protection for his keeper. Keepers are a close bunch, so you can understand him being protective of his guy.
68'
SUBSTITUTION, MAN CITY. Ederson and De Bruyne are both brought off to prevent further injury. Ederson kicks a cooler box, kicks a chair and flings his gloves to the ground. He doesn't look too strong on his feet but he's mad as a hatter to have been substituted. Wow… what a professional and what a work ethic. But good that City have looked to protect him. Head injuries are not something to mess with.
70'
SAVED! Ortega blocks a shot from three feet from Kulusevski, who managed to get through the City defence thanks to a good bounce of the ball before powering a shot on goal.
72'
CLOSE! Doku flicks a cross to Haaland and Foden waiting… but Vicario gets a hand on it and tips it away for a corner.
73'
Stats check - that goal from Haaland was City's first ever at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
74'
Porro slides a lovely ball forward for Johnson to run onto, but Akanji forces him off the ball as Ortega slides in to claim the ball.
75'
Spurs pressing but City leaving them with no avenues to pursue.
77'
Great pressure from Spurs, and they win a corner from the right.
78'
The corner finds Kulusevski at the back of the box, the big striker shapes to curl it towards the top corner… he strikes it hard… but it flashes three of four feet over the crossbar.
80'
AGAIN! Kulusevski presses into the City box again and gets to the edge of the City six-yard box, thwacks the ball on goal but again Ortega is there with a magnificent block. What a game he's having… and he's only been on for about five minutes!
82'
Spurs doing all the pressing now as City absorb and absorb… now they counter up the right with Silva… but he runs out of space and pulls it back… there's a long ball forward but it's headed by a defender to Vicario… Spurs push the ball to the halfway line …… where they lose it and City now press forward…
83'
City keeping it in their half now, Foden pushes forward but it pulled to ground, but City keep going and the ref plays advantage… City press up and to the box, Gvardiol bounces the idea of shooting or feeding Doku to his left… he feeds Doku buy took too long as a Spurs defenders clears the ball for a throw-in.
84'
SUBSTITUTION, SPURS. Sarr makes way for Lo Celso.
85'
SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVEED! THAT'S THE SAVE OF A CAREER! OF A LIFETIME! A moment of looseness sees Akanji caught on the ball, and it runs to Son, who presses up into the box, Ortega is out and throws his right leg to the ground, amazingly FLAT on the ground, to block Son's shot! ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. You would bet your house and your favourite donkey that Son would bury that 100 times out of 100.
88'
YELLOW CARD, MAN CITY, FODEN. The City man catches his opponent a nasty blow with an outstretched leg and sucks up a yellow card.
89'
Long ball through for Doku from Foden, the City man gets it just inside the box, he presses right to take a shot but he's caught by a Spurs defender… AND THE REF POINTS TO THE SPOT!
90'
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAANNNNNNNNDDDDDDD!!!!!!
91'
GOAL, MAN CITY, HAAAAAAALAND! 0-2; The greedy goal giant slams the penalty with his left foot high to the right corner of the Spurs goal… and that gives City almost certainly the win tonight and should take them to the final day with the title in their hands! My word what drama!
92'
SUBSTITUTION, SPURS. Moore replaces Maddison and Skipp replaces Hojberg.
94'
SUBSTITUTION, MAN CITY. Haaland will get no hat-trick as he makes way for Alvarez.
96'
WOW! Doku slips down the left touchline… looked like he might slide into the corner for a coffee and a chat… but then he zipped past two Spurs defenders, slid inside another and slapped a cross to Alvarez in the six-yard box, but it was blocked by a pair of Spurs defenders
96'
City press up but Spurs hold them back… the hosts counter but they find a strong defensive wall blocking them.
98'
SAVED AGAIN! Doku makes his way back into the box, pushes to the left and fires in a shot on goal from about six feet… Vicario stands talk and flexes the shot away with a strong bicep. Great save and a nice shot.
99'
YELLOW CARD, MAN CITY, SILVA.
100'
Spurs press forward and are blown for a foul. Ortega takes it and… the ref blows for full-time!
101'
FULL-TIME, SPURS 0-2 MAN CITY. An incredible performance from City… and the Player of the Match is ORTEGA! Onfield for about 15 minutes yet named PLAYER OF THE MATCH… but he made three or was it four CRUCIAL saves that have quite possibly helped City through to the title. Doku did so much at the end… just the whole City team was so strong today. Not they bright shiny best, but professional and strong, which you need to be to defeat Spurs. Spurs played pretty well you have to say… but the loss means they will finish fifth and Aston Villa will play Champions League football next season. A massive night in the Premier League… but there is still one thing left to play for on Sunday… and that's the title. We'll see you then… and hope you enjoyed following the drama with us tonight!
Tottenham
Tottenham
Manchester City
Manchester City
0
Goal Scorers
2
51' Haaland Er...
90' Haaland Er...
0
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
11
Squad
11
Romero Cris...
Hoejbjerg P...
Dragusin Radu
Son Heung-Min
Maddison James
Vicario Gug...
Johnson Bre...
Porro Pedro
Sarr Pape
Bentancur R...
van de Ven ...
4
5
6
7
10
13
22
23
29
30
37
2
3
8
9
16
17
20
24
25
31
47
Walker Kyle
Dias Ruben
Kovacic Mateo
Haaland Erling
Rodri
De Bruyne K...
Silva Bernardo
Gvardiol Josko
Akanji Manuel
Moraes Ederson
Foden Phil
9
Reserves
9
Lo Celso Gi...
Kulusevski ...
Austin Brandon
Royal Emerson
Skipp Oliver
Gil Bryan
Scarlett Dane
Moore Mikey
Hall Tyrese
18
10
1
12
4
11
44
59
73
18
10
6
5
27
11
19
52
82
Ortega Stefan
Grealish Jack
Ake Nathan
Stones John
Nunes Matheus
Doku Jeremy
Alvarez Julian
Bobb Oscar
Lewis Rico