Man City 4 Tottenham 2 LIVE RESULT: Mahrez masterclass as Pep’s men complete epic comeback to close gap to Arsenal

Thanks for joining us!

I can’t remember a game in which one side scored twice just before half time and then the opposition scored two of their own almost straight after the restart.

It had seemed as though Spurs were home and dry after Emerson Royal nodded them two goals ahead but this Tottenham defence has been so brittle this season.

As soon as Alvarez halved the deficit it seemed inevitable they would equalise.

Riyad Mahrez was sensational in the second half, scoring two goals on his way to earning the man of the match award.

The nature of the result feels as if it could be transformative for Manchester City’s title chances.

Arsenal fans would have been in the strange position of cheering Tottenham’s goals but they will now be cursing their North London rivals for capitulating in the second half.

While there’s no shame in being beaten by Manchester City, Antonio Conte will face fresh questions over how his team could let a two-goal lead slip so meekly.

These two teams face off again in a little over two weeks’ time and here’s hoping that it’s every bit as exciting as this one has been tonight.

Until then, all that’s left for me to say is thanks for joining me and I’ll speak to you next time!

Rico Lewis

City’s right back was outstanding once again tonight.

The 18-year-old is comfortable with the ball as well as being happy to move into areas in central midfield.

It will be interesting to see whether Rico Lewis will now keep Kyle Walker out of the team when the biggest matches come around.

Mahrez quotes

Riyad Mahrez has been speaking after his two goals helped City earn a vital three points.

We knew we could come back from two goals and that’s what we did in the second half.
We rode our luck a little bit but we punished them in the end.

Riyad Mahrez Sky Sports

Riyad Mahrez

The City winger was outstanding in the second half.

He gave Ivan Perisic a torrid time on the Spurs left with Antonio Conte deciding to take him out of the firing line by replacing the Croatian with Ryan Sessegnon.

There’s an argument to say that Hugo Lloris should have kept out his first even though the shot took a slight deflection off Ben Davies on its way in at the near post.

And he was handed his second by a shocker from Clement Lenglet but Mahrez made sure he punished the Spurs defender to put the game out of sight for City.

Game of two halves

Spurs’ shock two goal lead at half time seems a long time ago now.

City clicked into gear in the second half and totally blew Spurs away.

It’s a big win for City against a team they hadn’t beaten in the last six attempts.

Full Time: Man City 4 – 2 Spurs

Peep! Peep! Peeeeeeeeeep! The referee blows the full time whistle and that’s it.

City have cut Arsenal’s lead to five points at the top of the table.

Man City 4 – 2 Spurs

90+3, Lenglet almost makes another horror mistake as his pass to Bissouma looks to be under-hit but the referee blows for a foul on the Spurs midfielder.

It’s fair to say that it hasn’t been a great performance by the on-loan Frenchman since he was sent on.

Man City 4 – 2 Spurs

90, We’re going to have four minutes of time added on at the end here.

GOAL! Man City 4 – 2 Spurs

90, Mahrez punishes an awful mistake by Lenglet.

The Spurs defender mis-controls a long ball forward under no pressure whatsoever and it allows Mahrez to run through and dink the ball the ball over Lloris.

Game over.

Man City 3 – 2 Spurs

88, City’s defending is starting to look a little rushed.

They know how big this result could prove to be in the title race.

Man City 3 – 2 Spurs

85, Fantastic tackle from Romero to stop Haaland when he was bearing down on goal.

You don’t see Erling Haaland knocked over too many times like that.

Man City 3 – 2 Spurs

83, Rico Lewis’ night is over as Kyle Walker comes on to take the youngster’s place.

Seven minutes of normal time left for City to hold on.

Man City 3 – 2 Spurs

82, VAR is not going to intervene.

I think the Spurs man is rather fortunate there.

He looked a bit sheepish as he ran off so I think he knows it.

Man City 3 – 2 Spurs

82, Richarlison blocks Rodri’s header at the back post with what looked like his arm.

VAR is having a look…

Man City 3 – 2 Spurs

80, Pep Guardiola makes his first change as he introduces Bernardo Silva in place of Ilkay Gundogan.

Rodri takes the captain’s armband for the Citizens.

Man City 3 – 2 Spurs

78, Bentancur has also been replaced by Bissouma for Spurs.

Man City 3 – 2 Spurs

78, Two more changes for Spurs as Richarlison and Lenglet come on for Davies and Emerson.

Looks like Kulusevski will play the remainder of the game at right wing back.

Man City 3 – 2 Spurs

77, The pace of this game is quite breathtaking.

Both teams are going for the kill every time they have the ball.

Man City 3 – 2 Spurs

75, Son wastes a great opening for Tottenham.

Kane sends him through but he hesitates as Ake puts him under pressure and Son opts to work the ball out wide instead of trying a shot.

City eventually get enough players back and the attack ends with a wild hack over the bar from Romero.

Man City 3 – 2 Spurs

73, The game has settled down a little after the madness that occurred either side of half time.

It’s up to Spurs to come from behind now.

Man City 3 – 2 Spurs

69, Antonio Conte makes his first change of the night as Ivan Perisic comes off and Ryan Sesssegnon takes his place at left wing back.

Man City 3 – 2 Spurs

68, It’s almost as if someone told Spurs how much a win for them would benefit Arsenal.

They’ve gone from 2-0 up to 3-2 down inside 20 minutes.

GOAL! Man City 3 – 2 Spurs

63, Mahrez puts City in front!

Mahrez gets in behind Perisic again and sees his shot take a slight deflection off Ben Davies and beat Hugo Lloris at his near post.

There will be questions asked of the Spurs goalkeeper again for being beaten there.

But City won’t care, they’ve turned it around!

Man City 2 – 2 Spurs

62, More good play from Spurs eventually ends with Kane shooting wide from range.

They’ve worked themselves back into the game here.

Man City 2 – 2 Spurs

59, How did that stay out from Perisic?

Spurs break down the right wing and eventually Kulusevski squares for Perisic who sees his shot deflect off Rico Lewis and onto the frame of the goal!

I’m not sure how much Lewis knew about that one but he’ll be thankful for it.