Tottenham Hotspur turned a flat first half into a roaring statement under the lights in north London, battling back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Manchester City. A game that seemed settled at the interval came alive after the break, as Dominic Solanke scored twice — the second a breathtaking scorpion kick — to stop City in their tracks and breathe new life into Arsenal’s title push.

City were in control early, building a two-goal cushion through Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo. But Spurs refused to fold. The comeback not only earned a vital point and lifted Tottenham to 14th, it also ended a long City habit: for the first time since April 2018, City failed to win a Premier League match when leading by two or more at half-time.

City’s grip, Spurs’ revival

City dominated the first 45. Cherki’s precise finish on 11 minutes set the tone, followed by Semenyo’s strike before the break. The visitors were slick and calm, hunting a routine win to keep the title race tight. Tottenham, meanwhile, were flat and second best all over the pitch.

Everything changed on 53 minutes. Solanke drove into the box and his effort, aided by a deflection, found its way in. Whether you call it a deflection or a slice of fortune, the moment swung belief back to the home side.

“That’s a title race moment — City blinked, Spurs bit back.”

From there, Spurs played with tempo and bite. The equaliser on 71 minutes was pure theatre: Solanke, back to goal, improvised a scorpion kick that flew past the goalkeeper. It was an audacious finish fit for the stage and the stakes. From flat to fearless, Spurs had their spark — and City were suddenly rattled.

Solanke’s surge: from layoff to leading man

Solanke’s return is one of the feel-good stories of the season. He only came back to Premier League action two weeks ago after five months out, yet he has now scored in three of his last four games across competitions. January brought goals in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt. February opened with a brace against the champions-in-waiting.

His first goal came via a deflected finish on 53 minutes; his second was the scorpion-kick showstopper. More than the goals, it was his presence — movement, hold-up play, and belief — that lifted those around him. Spurs needed a focal point. Solanke has become just that.

“Solanke has changed Spurs’ ceiling in two weeks.”

How the champions let it slip

For City, this will sting. They had control, the lead, and chances to bury the game. Yet the rhythm faded. Tottenham’s higher press and more direct play after the break forced errors and made City uncomfortable.

Erling Haaland’s struggles continue: he earned a 4/10 on the night and is now eight Premier League games without a non-penalty goal. That drought is as telling as anything about City’s current edge in the box.

Bernardo Silva was City’s best midfielder at 7/10, knitting play and trying to speed up attacks. Rodri (6/10) was his usual calm self in periods, but Spurs leaned into physical duels and chaos, and it worked. At the back, Marc Guehi started well (6/10) yet looked less assured once Spurs turned up the heat after the interval. And when Tottenham did break through, Gianluigi Donnarumma had to make key saves late on to protect the point.

“Eight league games without a non-penalty for Haaland — that’s the headline.”

Title race pressure: advantage Arsenal

City stay second and now trail Arsenal by six points with 14 games left. In a race that could swing on tiny margins, dropping two after leading by two at half-time is a major twist. The champions have been ruthless in these positions for years; that historic streak dating back to April 2018 just ended.

For Arsenal watchers, this was a gift. For City, it’s a warning: control alone won’t be enough in the run-in if they allow hope to return to loud stadiums like this one.

Frank’s blueprint: four points off City

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has City’s number this season: W1 D1 — four points taken off the champions, the best by a Spurs manager in a single campaign since Mauricio Pochettino’s W1 D1 in 2016-17. The plan here was brave. Even after a poor first half, he stuck to it and got his team playing higher, faster, and with more bite.

This point moves Spurs to 14th. It may feel small on paper, but it looks big on the pitch. The players bought in, the crowd responded, and the team showed the kind of fight that shapes seasons.

What we learned

• City can still be rattled if the tempo goes against them. Spurs cracked the calm by pushing up and playing forward.
• Solanke is a game-changer. His return from injury has given Spurs a clear target and belief.
• Moments matter. City’s first-half control did not turn into a third goal — and that kept the door open.
• Frustration up front. Haaland’s open-play drought remains a talking point for the title race.

The road ahead

City have 14 games to hunt down Arsenal. They know how to string wins together, but this felt like a missed chance to apply real heat. The champions will look to Haaland and the front line to snap the drought and make dominance count.

Spurs, meanwhile, leave with pride and proof. The first half was forgettable; the second was fearless. If they bring that intensity more often, the table will take care of itself — and Solanke’s name will keep showing up in bold.

In a season that keeps producing late swerves, this was another one: a scorpion kick and a roar that could echo all the way to the top of the table.