Manchester City 2 Tottenham 0: City player ratings as the champions move to within one win of history

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City moved to within one win of a fourth consecutive Premier League title with a hard fought 2-nil win over Tottenham. The world champions knew that they had to leave London with three points, and it was mission accomplished come the final whistle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

A second half brace from Erling Haaland was enough to secure Manchester City a precious three points. But that doesn’t tell the story of City’s win. Stefan Ortega made three absolutely crucial saves in the second half after coming on for Ederson. His third save from Son the 86th minute has the potential to go down in City folklore. After a Manuel Akanji error had played through one of City’s main tormentors in recent seasons, Ortega made an absolutely outstanding save to preserve City’s 1-nil lead. The game was ended minutes later after Jeremy Doku earned the champions a penalty. Erling Haaland dispatched the spot kick to seal a massive 2-nil win for the champions.

Manchester City’s win means a victory at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday against West Ham will secure Pep Guardiola’s side a fourth consecutive Premier League title. The champions hold their fate in their own hands, and if they secure three points on Sunday, it means Arsenal’s result against Everton is irrelevant.

Here are the City player ratings from a huge victory for the world champions.

City player ratings

Ederson-8/10: Made two crucial saves before having to be substituted after being on the receiving end of a crunching challenge from Cristian Romero.

Kyle Walker-7/10: Besides Phil Foden, he was arguably City’s biggest attacking threat in the first half. He did his job defensively throughout the game in a good performance.

Manuel Akanji-7.5/10: He was absolutely superb until his error almost allowed Son to score. Besides that error, he was one of City’s best.

Ruben Dias-6.5/10: Dias looked nervous for the majority of the game. It was not his best performance of the season.

Josko Gvardiol-7.5/10: He made several key defensive interventions, especially in the first half. Another polished display from Gvardiol.

Rodri-7/10: Not as best in the first half, but he lifted in the second half. He did what he had to do as he always does.

Mateo Kovacic-7.5/10: In a game where the nerves were evident, his poise stood out. The Croatian international provided a calming influence for City throughout the game.

Kevin De Bruyne-7/10: Set up Haaland’s opener with an inch perfect cross. Wasn’t at his best and was also on the receiving end of a nasty looking challenge, not long after City’s opening goal.

Phil Foden-9/10: He was a key contributor to both of City’s goals. Without him, Manchester City don’t win that game.

Bernardo Silva-7/10: Bernardo came to life in the second half like most of his teammates. Did what was required to make sure his team kept their destiny in their own hands.

Erling Haaland-8/10: City needed goals, and Haaland provided them. He looked up for the game from kick off and seized his moments when they came.

Substitutes

Stefan Ortega-10/10: Ortega made three crucial saves after coming on for Ederson. His third save from Son may be looked back upon as one of the most crucial saves in Manchester City’s Premier League history.

Jeremy Doku-8.5/10: A fantastic cameo from Doku. He earned the match winning penalty, and he tormented the Tottenham defence. A superb effort from Doku.

Julian Alvarez- N/A: Not on long enough to mark.