Dominic Solanke’s amazing scorpion kick hurt Manchester City’s chances of winning the Premier League title. Tottenham came back from two goals down to tie the game 2-2 yesterday.
According to AFP, Pep Guardiola’s team was on their way to triumph after Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo scored in the first half in north London.
But Solanke cut the lead in half after the break and then scored a goal that may win the season for Tottenham.
The England striker’s daring finish was like Olivier Giroud’s memorable acrobatic goal for Arsenal against Crystal Palace in 2017.
And it was Tottenham’s bitter rivals in north London who got the most out of Solanke’s moment of magic.
Some Tottenham fans might not have been too upset if they had lost, since City was the only team that could realistically block Arsenal from winning the league for the first time in 22 years.
But Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Leeds on Saturday meant that City couldn’t make any mistakes. Pep Guardiola’s team is currently six points behind the leaders.
Arsenal had a great weekend since Aston Villa, who were in third position, lost to Brentford on Sunday.
Winning against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday to get Tottenham into the Champions League last 16 gave Thomas Frank more chance of keeping his job. This tough fightback was additional boost for the Dane, who was already under a lot of pressure.
City’s two straight 2-0 wins over Wolves and Galatasaray didn’t do anything to change the perception that Guardiola’s team still isn’t playing at its best.
Once again, they played inconsistently, showing how far they have slipped from the group that won six titles in seven seasons before last season.
City has only won one of their previous six league games, which has helped Arsenal get back on track following their own recent slide.
They need to bounce back on Wednesday by holding on to their 2-0 advantage in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final against Newcastle. Then they have a big game against Liverpool next weekend.
Solanke’s amazing goal
In the 11th minute, Cherki gave City the best start possible.
Bernardo Silva launched the attack by stealing from Yves Bissouma, and then Haaland found Cherki.
Cherki made them pay for backing off by hitting a low shot that flew into the far corner from just inside the penalty area.
Erling Haaland missed a chance to score after the French playmaker scored his fourth goal in his last six games. Guardiola shook his head in disgust as Haaland chipped the ball onto the top of the net.
In the 44th minute, Semenyo rightfully made City’s lead two goals.
Rodri got a sloppy ball from Radu Dragusin and found Silva, who quickly set up Semenyo, who was open, for a clinical finish from 12 yards as boos rang out from the stands.
Since moving from Bournemouth, the Ghanaian attacker has scored four goals in five appearances in all competitions.
Tottenham had no life in the first half, but they got an unexpected boost eight minutes after the break.
City asked for an offside call, but it didn’t work. Solanke controlled Xavi Simons’ pass under pressure in the area.
Marc Guehi tried to make a last-ditch tackle, but Solanke pushed past Gianluigi Donnarumma from close range.
City had been in charge for so long that they lost their way, and they paid the price in the 70th minute.
Conor Gallagher’s high push got the ball back, and he sent a cross to Solanke, who twisted his body in mid-air to back-flick an amazing strike over Donnarumma into the top corner from 10 yards.
City was a mess, and it needed Donnarumma’s great save from Simons to keep Tottenham from getting the points.
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