Dominic Solanke’s stunning scorpion kick helped Tottenham recover from a disastrous first half and save them a draw against Manchester City, but they were unable to protect their two-goal lead and the title race tilted even further in Arsenal’s favor.
Thomas Frank’s Spurs were again booed by the home fans at half-time as goals from Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenho gave Josep Guardiola’s side a comfortable two-goal lead, but the hosts could do little in the opening 45 minutes.
However, Frank made money at half-time as Spurs looked like a completely different team with striker Solanke leading at half-time.
Despite coming under pressure from Marc Guehi, the forward made a great turn inside the box and slotted the ball into the near post.
Then, after increasing pressure from the home side, Solanke’s brilliant flick from behind Conor Gallagher’s cross sent the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium into a frenzy and a deserved equaliser.
Spurs almost completed the comeback as Gianluigi Donnarumma made some fine saves from Wilson Odbert and the excellent Xavi Simons, while Gehi made a brilliant intervention to deny the winner.
City also missed a big chance to take the lead back, with Tijani Reijnders keeping two goals wide of the target.
This result means that Spurs contributed to the defeat of arch-rivals Arsenal. City are currently six points adrift at the top of the Premier League, with Guardiola’s side next facing Liverpool.
Frank’s return is a big boost for Spurs, but there are still plenty of challenges. With Cristian Romero sent off at half-time, Joao Parinha played 90 minutes in defence, but mistakes by Yves Bissouma and Radu Dragusin cost City a goal.
Solanke also limped off before stoppage time. An important deadline day awaits the Spurs.
Scorpion kick! Let’s watch the Spurs comeback!
Solanke: I’ll go back to it several times!
Spurs striker Dominic Solanke told Sky Sports:
“To be fair, it was a great goal. I had to improvise a little bit. Great job from Connor.”
“The ball was a little behind me, but I love that finish, trying to create something out of nothing. When the ball went in, it was amazing. I’m going to watch it from behind a few times!”
“We know we need to start the game earlier because we weren’t good enough in the first half, but the reaction was great.
“We know we’re not good enough in the league at the moment, (but) we’re four games unbeaten so we want to build on that.”
More to come…


