PREMIER LEAGUE
SUNDAY 1ST FEBRUARY, 2026
(4.30 PM)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2(0) MANCHESTER CITY 2(2)

Spurs scorers:-
Solanke, 53, 70

City scorers:-
Cherki, 11
Semenyo, 44

Attendance:- 61,337

Referee:- Rob Jones
Assistants:- Neil Davies, Nick Greenhalgh
Fourth official:- Andy Madley
VAR:- Jarred Gillett
Assistant VAR:- Blake Antrobus

Teams:-
Spurs (3-4-3):- 1. Vicario; 6. Palhinha, 17. Romero (Capt.) (sub 29. Sarr, 46), 3. Dragusin; 14. Gray, 22. Gallagher, 8. Bissouma (sub 28. Odobert, 68); 39. Kolo Muani (sub 11. Tel, 68), 19. Solanke (sub 67, Byfield, 90), 7. Xavi
(Armband to Vicario)

Subs not used:- 31. Kinsky; 38. Souza, 76. Rowswell; 52. Olusesi, 57. Kyrematen

Booked:- Bissouma (foul), Xavi (foul on Rodri), Solanke (foul on Khusanov)

Man City (4-1-4-1):- 25. Donnarumma; 27. Matheus Nunes, 45. Khusanov, 15. Guehi, 21. Ait-Nouri (sub 14. Gonzalez, 70); 16. Rodri (sub 7. Marmoush, 90+4); 10. Cherki (sub 4. Reijnders, 69), 20. Bernardo Silva (Capt.) (sub 47. Foden, 88), 33. O'Reilly, 42. Semenyo; 9. Haaland
(Armband to Rodri, then Reijnders?)

Subs not used:- 1. Trafford; 6. Ake, 68. Alleyne, 82. Lewis; 56. McAidoo

Booked:- Khusanov (foul on Gallagher), Rodri (foul on Xavi), Gonzalez (foul on Xavi)

Phenomenal Solanke goal completes stirring comeback

Dominic Solanke's fourth goal in as many games since his return was so phenomenal in nature it was replayed on the four massive stadium screens four or five times. It was not simply a flick, as suggested on first appearances, but a brilliantly improvised scorpion kick that left ace goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma grabbing at thin air. The goal completed a remarkable Spurs comeback and a precious point that took us a little further away from the bottom three.

Rumours existed early on the morning of the game suggesting that not only Micky van de Ven would definitely not make the team, but also that Kevin Danso, Djed Spence and Wilson Odobert would not be available. Odobert at least made the bench, but there was no sign of the other three. Spurs have endured two seasons of injury woe.

Thomas Frank improvised with a back three of Palhinha, Romero and Radu Dragusin, who made his first start of the season and indeed since last January. At half-time, Romero mysteriously disappeared from the action, and was replaced by Sarr, as Spurs reverted to a back four without their three first choice centre-backs.

Palhinha acquitted himself very well, as he had last Wednesday in Frankfurt. The versatile Archie Gray played at right wing-back (full back in the second half), and he can be proud of his performance. Xavi Simons once again proved himself a real star in this side and forced a couple of second half saves from the City keeper.

In a stale first half performance, Spurs were guilty of standing off their opponents, offering them far too much space in midfield and enabling Pep Guardiola's side to control the game. Both their goals, however, were gifted by inept play-out football by Spurs.

Spurs kicked off and played towards the North Stand. After only a minute, Semenyo hit a shot from the left of the area, which took Vicario two attempts to hold.

Xavi took a free kick after Gallagher was fouled towards the left. The familiar strategy of a Romero head back into the danger zone was blocked.

City's first goal arose after Bissouma ran into trouble in midfield as we played out. Bernardo Silva took charge, passing to Haaland who teed up Cherki to his right. Cherki's shot beat Vicario low to his right when you felt our keeper should have done better. It was all too easy for City. Were Spurs trying to help them in their pursuit of Arsenal?

Haaland had a chance for himself after a ball from the left but hit the roof of the net with a dipping shot.

Khusanov was booked for a foul on Gallagher. Xavi's free kick was half blocked and fell comfortably into Donnarumma's arms. Cherki raced away on the right and nearly beat Vicario, but this time our keeper did get an excellent touch to prevent a goal at the expense of a corner.

Xavi intercepted a ball in midfield, and his cross was passed to Muani by Solanke. Muani's return cross was cleared. Xavi later had a shot blocked after a short pass by Solanke. Ait-Nouri gave Spurs another warning sign with a shot over the target before Spurs gifted City a second goal. An attempt by Dragusin to play out from deep on the left failed and Bernardo Silva fed the ball to Semenyo, who had too much space and scored his fourth City goal since he signed from Bournemouth.

Semenyo's last goal for Bournemouth had been that late winner against Spurs last month and he became the third player in the Premier league era to score for two different teams in the Premier League in one season against Spurs after Eric Cantona (1992-93 Leeds United and Manchester United) and Benito Carbone (1999-2000 Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa). (Thanks to Declan Mulcahy for this snippet)

I understand that Romero was withdrawn through illness, but there was an air of despondency as we began the second half. Jan Vertonghen had been Paul Coyte's half-time guest and perhaps his spirit pervaded his former team. Spurs played with all the drive and determination that had been sorely absent in the first half, and they soon got the crowd roaring their support.

Conor Gallagher skied a shot after good build-up play by Gray and Udogie. Archie Gray then made a stirring run down his right flank before passing inside where Solanke and Xavi had touches before Udogie forced a great tipped save by Donnarumma.

Solanke reduced the deficit in the 53rd minute. He had received Xavi's pass from the left and was up against Guehi and another defender. Somehow Dom got a foot in, and the ball rolled over Donnarumma's line for a goal. There was a debate about a possible own goal by Guehi and Pep Guardiola thought his latest signing had been fouled, but the goal was awarded to Solanke after a VAR check.

Semenyo won a corner, but Guehi headed wide.

Spurs' tails were up! Solanke so nearly got a touch on Xavi's cross. Bissouma was replaced by Odobert and Tel came on for Muani.

Solanke's second goal followed excellent work by Gallagher who challenged and won the ball in midfield before charging towards the right on a diagonal run. His cross was met by that phenomenal touch by Solanke. It was improvisation of the highest degree and a goal that will be long remembered.

Odobert had a low shot saved by Donnarumma's leg after taking another Xavi pass. Donnarumma made another brilliant save from Xavi's super shot from the left, conceding a corner which came to nought.

City now responded and Rodri headed wide from a Bernardo Silva cross. They had another chance after a Bernardo Silva free kick. Guehi's effort was blocked and Haaland headed over. Reijnders hit the side netting after a Haaland pass.

Donnarumma saved again from Odobert, who had been teed up again by Xavi Simons.

Solanke had been hobbling for a while and after treatment was replaced by Jun'ai Byfield for his Premier League debut. Byfield went into midfield. We had to deal with 9 minutes of added time, but we succeeded.

It had been a rousing second half performance by a team much impeded by injuries and Romero's illness. At least we have six days in which to recuperate in preparation for a Saturday lunchtime game at Old Trafford, where Michael Carrick seems to have rejuvenated the United team.

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