Premier League: Tottenham beat Manchester City to blow title race open

Manchester City’s failed pursuit of Harry Kane came back to haunt them as the England captain scored two times to get Tottenham a dazzling 3-2 victory at the Etihad which blew the Premier League title race back open. Kane’s 95th-minute header, seconds after the hosts had equalized through Riyad Mahrez’s penalty, inflicted City’s first league defeat in 16 games. Liverpool can close to within three points of the leaders should they win their game in hand at home to Leeds on Wednesday. “We didn’t need to lose a game to know how hard it is (to win the league),” said City boss Pep Guardiola. “There are many, many games still to play.”

The contrast in form between the sides could never have been starker as Tottenham had lost their previous three league matches.

In any case, Antonio Conte tried not to lose four on the bounce for the first time in his managerial career because of a dogged defensive display enlightened by flashes of brilliance by Kane and Son Heung-min on the break.

First of all I hate to lose,” said Conte. “Our reaction was important.

“This win will give us more confidence. It wasn’t simple to play Manchester City after three losses in a row.”