Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Manchester City recap - Dominic Solanke scores twice as second-half fightback sees Spurs claim hard-earned draw

Manchester City's title hopes took a hit in North London as a Dominic Solanke-inspired Spurs came roaring back to earn a 2-2 draw after a thrilling second-half fightback at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

City were in cruise control during the first half as they completely dominated a sluggish, lethargic Tottenham side to lead 2-0.

Rayan Cherki ran unchallenged into the penalty area and fired unerringly past Guglielmo Vicario to put City 1-0 up after just 11 minutes. And, while Spurs struggled to get out of first gear, City added a second just before half-time through Antoine Semenyo, who scored against Spurs for the second time this season, with his first coming for Bournemouth earlier in the campaign.

Boos rang around the stadium as the players headed for the dressing rooms at half-time, and any thoughts of a second-half fightback seemed fanciful. But that is exactly what happened as Tottenham emerged for the second half a side transformed.

Playing on the front foot, and with Xavi Simons to the fore, Tottenham took the game to City and pulled one back on 53 minutes through Solanke, who held off two defenders to squeeze a shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma and give the home faithful hope.

That hope turned into elation 17 minutes later, when Conor Gallagher broke down the right flank and crossed for Solanke, who produced a stunning piece of improvisation to guide the ball over Donnarumma with a diving "scorpion kick".

It was a remarkable piece of invention from Solanke, who had barely had a kick in the first half, but became the most dangerous man on the pitch in the second half as he pulled his side back into contention.

More chances came and went at both ends, with substitute Tijjani Reijnders twice heading wide for City, while Simons forced an outstanding save from Donnarumma as both sides pushed for a late winner.

In the end, the match finished 2-2, with Spurs celebrating a stunning second-half fightback, while City were left to rue what might have been after seeing a 2-0 half-time lead slip through their fingers.

Speaking on television following the match, Tottenham boss Thomas Frank paid tribute to his players and the Spurs fans after seeing his side come back from a 2-0 half-time deficit to draw 2-2 with title-chasing Manchester City at home.

"First and foremost, I extremely proud of the players and the mentality and character I've shown, and I'm so happy that they we got something out of it and a well deserved point," he said.

"We tried to install belief – staff, players, everyone – and how they went out second half, and come back in a situation where it's fair to say we are a little bit not in the best place, because you're 2-0 down (and) you have all the injuries, and the captain needed to walk off, and all that.

"That just shows everything about the group. And I think that 'never say die' thing. They have shown that (for) quite a long time now, but now we've just got the result as well, which is big."

Frank also spoke of his gratitude and appreciation for the fans, who lifted themselves and produced an electric atmosphere as his side produced a stirring second-half fightback.

"Yeah, it means (a lot) not only to me, to the team, to the players, to everyone," he said.

"I just think this: I think we've seen two good performances – the Dortmund game, and this second half. When we're united, fans and players, we can create magic. And that's what we need to keep pushing (and) keep going together. (It) meant the world, to me, to us, all of us."

Speaking on television after the match, City boss Pep Guardiola was still seething over the award of Tottenham's first goal after an incident he viewed as a foul on defender Marc Guehi.

VAR reviewed the incident at the time and ruled that the goal should stand, but Guardiola had a very different view, and his protestations to the officials saw him go into the book as a result.

Speaking after the game, he didn't want to go into details, but did offer this one-line response when asked about the incident:

"What can I say? Marc has the ball, he's been kicked from behind, and it's a goal. So, what can I say? Nothing."

"I think it was a game of two halves," said Player of the Match Dominic Solanke after the game.

"The first half was difficult. Couldn't get near them at times. But yeah, we've seen it a few times this season, where the second half is a different story. And I think in the second half, we were great and grew with confidence and belief throughout the half, and could have even gone on to win it."

Solanke also spoke about his spectacular "scorpion kick" equaliser as he produced a moment of brilliant improvisation to secure a share of the points for his side.

"Yeah, it was, was a lovely goal, to be fair," he grinned.

"I had to improvise a bit. It was great work from Conor (Gallagher) and the ball is behind me a bit, but yeah, I love those finishes.

"I'm trying to make something out of nothing, and when it goes in, it's remarkable. So yeah, I'll be watching that back a few times!"

There will be NINE MINUTES of additional time at the end of this pulsating game.

Xavi Simons was a frustrated figure in the first half, but he's been a different player since the break. He storms down the left flank and crosses dangerously into the six-yard box.

Sub Odobert very nearly sneaked in to toe-end the ball past Donnarumma, but Guehi does just enough to stop him from making a clean contact.

We've got five minutes, plus stoppages, left in this game, and it's absolutely anyone's game.

City are starting to apply some pressure of their own now, and a superb piece of centre forward play from Haaland creates a chance for Reijnders, but the Dutch midfielder's diving header goes the wrong side of the post for City and the chance goes begging.

There was some confusion over the attribution of Tottenham's opening goal.

We saw it as a Solanke goal initially, but after the replays, it wasn't quite as clear-cut, and the goal was then credited as a Marc Guehi own goal.

Well, the goals panel have had a few more looks at the incident, and they've finally credited the goal to Solanke.

It means that, thanks to that decision, and his brilliant improvised finish that followed, the Spurs striker has two goals to his name today, and is on a hat-trick.

It's end-to-end now.

City attack down the Tottenham right, and Reijnders rises highest to head narrowly wide of the back post with Vicario rooted to the spot.

Tottenham are on fire right now, and Xavi Simons has a dip from 25 yards.

His shot looks to be heading into the top corner, but the big Italian between the sticks makes another outstanding save to keep the scores level.

If you'd taken a poll of Tottenham fans at half-time, I doubt too many would have predicted this.

Spurs are level, and bossing it at home.

We said Spurs were back in this game, and they REALLY are now!

Conor Gallagher breaks down the right and crosses for Dom Solanke. The ball is a little behind the Spurs striker, but Solanke adjusts brilliantly and performs a diving scorpion kick to back-heel the ball beyond the despairing dive of Donnarumma and into the far corner of the net.

It's an absolutely brilliant, improvised finish from the Tottenham hitman, and from 2-0 down and looking dead and buried, Spurs are now level, and will fancy their chances of going on to win this.

What a goal. What a turnaround!