Defiant Spurs find a way as City concede late Kulusevski equaliser

There was more drama to come in the 94th minute, however, involving referee Simon Hooper.

RISING HIGHEST: Tottenham Hotspur's Dejan Kulusevski (centre) celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game with team-mates during the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

MAN CITY 3 TOTTENHAM 3

DEJAN Kulusevski had the final say in one of the game’s of the Premier League season as his Tottenham side led, but then twice had to come from behind, to grab a point at the Etihad.

It appeared that Jack Grealish’s first goal of the season had won the day for Pep Guardiola’s side but, in the final minute of normal time, Kulusevski bullied Nathan Ake out of the way to meet Brennan Johnson’s cross with a lethal eight-yard header.

Guardiola and opposite number Ange Postecoglou had promised goals and their teams duly delivered, with Spurs forward Son Heung-min scoring at both ends inside the opening ten minutes.

Phil Foden’s goal was then cancelled out by Giovani Lo Celso until Grealish struck nine minutes from time.

Rodri won the ball off Yves Bissouma and found Erling Haaland in the area for the Norwegian to selflessly cross for substitute Grealish to sweep into an empty net.

There was far more drama to come in the 94th minute, however, when referee Simon Hooper appeared to have waved play-on, following a Bissouma foul on Haaland.

But, as the striker sent Grealish racing clear, the referee whistled and called back play to end City’s hopes of a dramatic winner.

Not that his decision detracted from a fantastic spectacle.

It was the fourth successive game in which Spurs have scored the opening goal, although the previous three had ended in defeats as a brilliant start to the season has become mired in injury problems and loss of form.

But their contribution to a pulsating game was welcome with both managers fulfilling their pre-match promises to entertain at all costs.

First blood was drawn by the visitors, with virtually their first attack of the game after six minutes when City were suckered on the counter.

As a City attack broke down, Bryan Gil found Kulusevski who stroked a superb pass forward for Son to chase.

Inexplicably, winger Jeremy Doku was the only defender near the Spurs striker who sprinted clear and beat Ederson with a shot which the City keeper should have saved but allowed through his body.

It was a lead that lasted 137 seconds before Son inadvertently handed City an equaliser from a Julian Alvarez free-kick.

Haaland looked favourite to make contact but narrowly missed the in-swinging kick and Son knew little about his contribution as he stuck out a knee and put the ball into his own goal.

It was the break City needed and one that allowed them to go on and dominate, well before Foden shot them ahead, just after the half-hour.

First, Haaland was guilty of an incredible miss after Emerson Royal lost the ball to Alvarez whose cross presented the City number nine with an open goal and a chance which he somehow missed from eight yards.

Just before the second goal, Doku sped away from Ben Davies before thumping a ferocious strike against the bar.

And, on 31 minutes, City were finally in front with a beautifully created goal that started when Josko Gvardiol beat Brennan Johnson to a challenge just outside the Spurs area.

Slick passes, from Haaland to Doku to Alvarez, ended with the ball at the feet of Foden who made his finish from six yards look far more simple than was the case.

There could have been a third City goal soon after, this time from Alvarez who drove a superb low effort against the foot of the Tottenham post.

Within 15 seconds of the restart, City came close again, this time following a disastrous pass from keeper Guglielmo Vicario although the Italian made amends with a superb save to keep Bernardo Silva’s strike.

As had been the case in the first half, Spurs remained a threat on the counter and would make City pay for those misses.

Alvarez’s lazy pass was headed forward well by Davies, Son played in Lo Celso and the midfielder cut onto his left foot before beating Ederson from the edge of the area.

Lo Celso might have added another soon after, his powerful shot deflecting behind off Jack Grealish. 

Man City (4-1-4-1): Ederson 5; Walker 7, Akanji 6, Dias 6, Gvardiol 7 (Ake 87); Rodri 7; Foden 7 (Lewis 73, 6), Alvarez 7 (Kovacic 87), Silva 7, Doku 8 (Grealish 52, 7); Haaland 6. 

Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Vicario 6; Porro 6, Emerson 5, Davies 6, Udogie 5; Bissouma 5 (Richarlison 87), Lo Celso 7 (Skipp 78, 5); Johnson 6 (Donley 90), Kulusevski 9, Gil 6 (Hojbjerg 45, 6); Son 8.

Referee: S Hooper 5