Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have played out a 2-2 draw in Saturday's Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium.
Goals from Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura cancelled out efforts from Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero, but the headlines will be dominated by another goal controversially ruled out by VAR.
Gabriel Jesus thought he had netted a winner for City in the second minute of added-on time, only for technology to overrule the initial decision due to a handball from Aymeric Laporte.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in the North-West courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. With Arsenal and Liverpool having maintained their 100% records earlier today, it is now up to these clubs to attempt to join their title rivals at the top of the standings. As the two sets of players make their way onto the pitch at the Etihad Stadium, let's see who features in each starting lineup...
MANCHESTER CITY XI Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Zinchenko; Rodri, Gundogan; Bernardo, De Bruyne, Sterling; Aguero
MANCHESTER CITY SUBSTITUTES: Bravo, Cancelo, Fernandinho, Foden, D.Silva, Mahrez, Jesus
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Walker-Peters, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Rose; Winks, Ndombele; Sissoko, Eriksen, Lamela; Kane
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Gazzaniga, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Skipp, Lo Celso, Moura
KICKOFF: Man City get us underway!
City have wasted no time in going onto the offensive, and it took a nervy Walker-Peters header to Lloris for Spurs to gain some control. Aside from that, not a lot has happened, but the home side are seeing most of the ball.
Already, Spurs are having to do a lot of chasing. When they do have the ball, they are being kept in their own defensive third before a mistake is made.
Spurs, survive, just. Walker bursts down the right and his cutback eventually finds Sterling on the opposite side. He attempts to slot the ball into the far corner, but Walker-Peters sticks out a boot to block the shot.
It has taken nine minutes, but Spurs finally have the ball in the City half. It doesn't last long, with Kane unable to get on the end of an ambitious through-ball.
PENALTY APPEAL! Hmmm, have City got away with one here? From a corner, Lamela wrestles Rodri to the floor at the near post, getting nowhere near the ball. However, despite it looking a no-brainer, no penalty is awarded.
I'm not even sure that VAR took a look at that incident. If they had done, they would have surely had to overrule the referee. Guardiola was asking that exact same question. Still, City remain in control.
Spurs have done well to reach the quarter-of-an-hour mark without conceding a goal. While City are not creating opportunities, the pressure is incessant.
Better from the visitors who create a chance for Sissoko to cross to the back post for Lamela. However, a combination of two City defenders see off the threat.
The referee has just accused Rose of beginning to time waste. After less than 19 minutes. With Rose simply retrieving the ball and walking back to his spot, it's extremely harsh.
GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (RAHEEM STERLING)
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GOAL! City make the breakthrough, and you will not be surprised to read that it was a quality goal. De Bruyne's outswinging cross in majestic, and perfect for Sterling. While the winger still had work to do, he managed to direct a fine header into the far bottom corner.
That goal had been coming, and you now wonder what Pochettino will do to change things up. There is a danger that City could be out of sight should the same pattern of play continue until half time.
GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 1-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (ERIK LAMELA)
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GOAL! Or maybe not. Ndombele passes the ball into Lamela on the edge of the area and after no City defender moves towards him, the Argentine curls a weak-ish curling effort into the bottom corner from just over 20 yards.
City go back on the attack and a low cross from Sterling needs to be turned behind by Sanchez. Nothing comes from the resulting set piece, however.
YELLOW CARD! Sterling goes into the book for a cynical foul on Winks on the touchline.
There are signs that Spurs have resorted to trying to meet fire with fire. It may not be the smartest move, but they may feel that they have no other choice.
It was imperative that Spurs found a way to push Otamendi and Laporte back towards their own 18-yard box, and they are doing that right now. It's led to a lot more space being created in the middle third of the pitch.
We are going through more of a quite patch now. It's a result of the change in approach from Spurs. City now feel that they have to show them more respect.
GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (SERGIO AGUERO)
GOAL! Just like that, City regain the lead. It comes from another cross from De Bruyne, this time a low delivery from close to the byline. Aguero was able to get in front of his marker to flick the ball into the far corner from close range.
Spurs have gone back into their shell, like they were during the early stages of this contest. It's only encouraging City, who sense that they can net a third before the break.
That said, the visitors have done an effective job with keeping possession over the past couple of minutes, while also showing the urgency to keep City honest at the back.
More of the same from the North London outfit, who may be benefitting from City taking a breather. Guardiola's side have been relentless for the most part of this opening period.
CHANCE! It should be 3-1. Yet another cross from De Bruyne finds its intended target, this time it was Gundogan. However, the midfielder sends a first-time effort narrowly wide of the post from 12 yards out.
SHOT! Zinchenko is the next to try his luck, with a left-footed strike from distance being claimed by Lloris at the second time of asking.
There will be two minutes of added-on time.
HALF TIME: Manchester City 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
The half-time whistle goes at the Etihad Stadium and City lead 2-1 thanks to goals from Sterling and Aguero. Guardiola will probably feel that his team should be further ahead, but Spurs deserve credit from remaining competitive. Pochettino would probably acknowledge that only being 2-1 adrift is a positive.
Arsenal and Liverpool have both recorded successive wins this afternoon. The Gunners just about got the better of Burnley by a 2-1 scoreline, before Liverpool also registered a 2-1 win at Southampton. Click on the respective games to read our on-the-whistle reports.
A quick reminder of the two benches...
MANCHESTER CITY SUBSTITUTES: Bravo, Cancelo, Fernandinho, Foden, D.Silva, Mahrez, Jesus
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Gazzaniga, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Skipp, Lo Celso, Moura
KICKOFF: Spurs get us back underway. There have been no changes for either side.
Both teams have had their moments at the start of this second half, with crosses from Walker and Rose having to be dealt with by Lloris and Ederson.
SHOT! When Zinchenko took a shot from 25 yards, it appeared that Lloris would have a simple save to make. However, a slight deflection made things difficult for the goalkeeper, who parried the ball away down to his right.
SHOT! City are going through the gears again, and Spurs are struggling to cope. De Bruyne would probably expect to do better from 20 yards, but the midfielder's drilled a low effort wide of the far post.
CHANCE! More knocking on the door from City. Gundogan picks out the run of Aguero behind the Spurs defence but going away from goal, the forward blazes high over the crossbar.
CHANCE! Now Bernardo should score. A through-ball is diverted into the path of the midfielder by a Spurs player, but he scuffs a shot straight into the hands of Lloris.
SUBSTITUTION! Interesting change from Spurs. Winks has been replaced by Moura.
GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 2-2 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (LUCAS MOURA)
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GOAL! AMAZING! Moura goes straight onto the pitch, rises above Walker at the near post, and sends a header into the far corner of the net! He had literally been on the pitch for about 20 seconds!
The Etihad Stadium is stunned. City's supporters cannot believe they are not ahead. Spurs' fans know that they are fortunate to be level. It should make for a thrilling last half-hour.
SHOT! City are backing looking for a third goal, and Lloris needs to be alert to tip Rodri's fizzing strike over the crossbar.
OFF THE BAR! From the resulting corner, Bernardo flicks a shot towards an empty, which hits the crossbar before being claimed by Lloris.
OFF THE LINE! City are relentless yet again. Another corner is swung in and Otamendi's header from by the penalty spot needs to be hooked off the line.
I really do not know how Spurs are not behind in this contest. They have had two shots on goal, and netted with both. City have now had about a dozen. It will soon be time for a change...
SUBSTITUTION! It's time for Jesus to be introduced into the action, with Aguero making way.
As Aguero made way, he got into a heated confrontation with Guardiola. He looked less than impressed with being substituted. Guardiola responded in kind...
SHOT! Aguero's replacement Jesus quickly gets himself into the action, holding onto the ball by the penalty shot before seeing a shot deflected over the crossbar.
Less than 20 minutes to go now. You would be surprised if there isn't a fifth goal in this contest. It's started to go in City's favour again, but we have learned that we shouldn't rule out Spurs just yet.
Spurs are still not getting to grips with De Bruyne when he moves out onto the right flank. Fortunately, Sanchez was able to make the block from a cross on this occasion.
City are not giving the visitors a chance to breathe at the back. It's going to take an almost herculean effort from Spurs to not concede a third.
Spurs finally show some more life on the break, with Moura getting down the right flank before aiming a cross towards Kane. However, Otamendi got back to make the block.
SUBSTITUTION! A second switch for City sees Rodri replaced by David Silva.
CHANCE! Yet another cross is delivered by De Bruyne from the right wing, but Jesus can only send a tame header wide of the far post. Lloris had it covered.
SUBSTITUTION! Guardiola makes his final alteration, bringing on Mahrez for Bernardo.
To their credit, Spurs are still giving this a go. It would be easy for them to try to earn a point, but they are breaking in numbers whenever they get an opportunity.
Having made all three changes, Guardiola must be frustrated with Zinchenko going down with what appears to be a hamstring injury. It looks debatable whether he will continue, leaving City with 10 men.
SUBSTITUTION! Spurs make a second change as Lo Celso comes on for his debut. Lamela is the player to make way. Zinchenko is soldiering on for now.
That break in play has probably done City a favour. They have got back hold of the ball and are pushing on for a winner. Spurs are retreating again, but they are getting closer and closer to what would be an excellent result.
Spurs feel comfortable with playing the ball about in their own defensive third. It's brave, and perhaps over-confident. City are the only team pushing for a winner now.
SUBSTITUTION! A final change for Spurs sees Skipp come on for Eriksen.
There will be four minutes of added-on time. With that substitution, expect us to get nearer five minutes.
DISALLOWED GOAL! City have the ball in the net with Jesus producing a cool finish after Spurs fail to clear a corner. However, after a handball from Laporte, VAR rules it out. The decision came at least 60 seconds after the goal had initially been given...
No-one in the ground was expecting that. None of the Spurs players were appealing. Everyone was getting ready for the restart. It's the correct decision, going by the rules, but it doesn't feel right.
FULL TIME: Manchester City 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
The full-time whistle goes at the Etihad Stadium and we have ended at 2-2. City deserved to win this match - regardless of the VAR call - but Spurs have somehow reached the full-time whistle on level terms.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening, and we hope to see you again soon.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
