Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City. Premier League.
Wembley StadiumAttendance80,811.
Sunday 15 April 2018 17:32, UK
Manchester City drew an emphatic line under a difficult week by moving to within one win of the Premier League title with a 3-1 victory over Tottenham.
Gabriel Jesus' opener and an Ilkay Gundogan penalty moved Pep Guardiola's men to the brink of the title in a majestic opening 25 minutes at Wembley.
Christian Eriksen fortuitously halved the deficit three minutes before the interval and an improved second-half performance from Spurs left City in jeopardy of surrendering a two-goal lead just as they did in last week's Manchester derby.
But having withstood Spurs' second-half rally, Raheem Sterling's 22nd goal of the season secured the victory which means City can clinch the title at home to Swansea next Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
City could, however, win the title without kicking a ball again if second-placed United lose to West Brom on Sunday.
City arrived at Wembley licking their wounds having been dumped out of the Champions League four days after Manchester United dramatically denied them the title.
But there was no sign of self-pity from the champions-elect as they quickly settled into their groove, Leroy Sane rattling the post with a sliced fourth-minute volley.
Sterling, Kevin de Bruyne and Gundogan all had shots on goal before Vincent Kompany's simple pass exploited Spurs' high backline, releasing Jesus who clinically finished past the on-rushing Hugo Lloris on 22 minutes.
Things went from bad to worse for Spurs and their captain as Lloris' reckless lunge on Sterling - which appeared outside of the area - handed City a penalty which Gundogan coolly slotted home.
Ben Davies' horrific 27th-minute tackle on Kompany typified Spurs' frustrations but there was salvation before the break for the hosts as Aymeric Laporte's clearance fired into the City goal off Eriksen.
That goal buoyed Spurs after the break but they were unable to convert their new-found vigour into goals, with City continuing to create the clearer chances.
Jesus and Sterling spurned gilt-edged chances to score City's third but Sterling finally restored their two-goal lead on 72 minutes, converting a rebound from close range after Lloris failed to parry a Jesus shot away from danger.
All Spurs could muster by way of a response was a stoppage-time drive from Lucas Moura as the hosts were left to come to terms with their first league defeat since December 16.
Having spurned two clear chances to put last week's Manchester derby to bed and seen former club Liverpool progress at City's expense in the Champions League, it's fair to say Raheem Sterling has had better weeks. After a handful of missed opportunities at Wembley, question marks over his finishing undoubtedly remain, but the England international's character was the latest attribute to show signs of improvement as finally took his chance to propel City to the brink of the title.
Tottenham travel to Brighton on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports Premier League, before contending their FA Cup semi-finals against Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday. Manchester City, meanwhile, can win the title with a home victory over Swansea on Nissan Super Sunday.
