Tottenham player ratings vs Man City – Xavi magical and Solanke brilliant before injury scare

Here are our Tottenham player ratings after their draw with title-chasing Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday evening

A makeshift Tottenham team came from behind to draw 2-2 with Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday and here are our Spurs player ratings from the game.

Thomas Frank made four changes to his Spurs team from the 2-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night which helped the north London outfit into the Champions League last 16. He lost Kevin Danso to a snapped toe ligament, Djed Spence to a calf problem and Micky van de Ven was not deemed ready to return for the game.

That meant midfielders Archie Gray and Joao Palhinha at right wing-back and centre-back respectively with Radu Dragusin getting his first start in a year in the back three.

Spurs found themselves a goal down 11 minutes into the contest when Yves Bissouma lost the ball in midfield and Erling Haaland picked out Rayan Cherki’s run and the Frenchman ran on and fired a low shot that took a little touch off Dragusin’s toe and flew into the far corner.

City scored a second just before the break Dragusin struck an aimless kick upfield straight to Rodri. The midfielder played it to Bernardo Silva and he poked the ball to Antoine Semenyo to curl a shot past Vicario.

The hosts did get a controversial goal back eight minutes into the second half. Xavi Simons hit a pass with the outside of his foot into Dominic Solanke’s path and and striker cut inside and appeared to kick Marc Guehi’s leg into the ball which bounced over the line. A VAR check ruled out an offside and the foul. When the goal was replayed on the big screen, Pep Guardiola pointed up at it and protested, earning himself a yellow card from the referee.

There was no doubt about the second goal for Solanke as he got a flying backheel to Conor Gallagher’s cross and looped the ball up and into the net with Gianluigi Donnarumma only able to help it on its way in.

Both sides had chances in the final moments but neither could take them and Spurs took a much-needed point.

Here are our Tottenham player ratings:

Guglielmo Vicario

Couldn’t get to Cherki’s early goal or Semenyo’s close range effort, but made a terrific reflex save to deny the Frenchman even if a goal kick was given. Didn’t have another save to make. 6

Joao Palhinha

Battled away in defence again and was a real leader in the backline. 8

Cristian Romero

Only played the first half and was chasing City players for most of it. Looked like he was struggling with some talk that he had been feeling under the weather in Frankfurt. 5

Radu Dragusin

His first start in a year. It looked like it in the first half as he stood off Cherki for too long for his goal and then hit a ball straight to Rodri for second City goal. Got much better as the game wore on after so long since his last start, was excellent at times up against Haaland in the second half. 6

Archie Gray

Gave absolutely everything to the cause and was limping around the pitch in added time. A blockbuster display down the right. 8

Conor Gallagher

Battled for everything and made Spurs’ second goal by winning the ball and whipping in a cross for Solanke to score which knocks him up a mark. 8

Yves Bissouma

Caught in possession for City’s first half goal. Had some tidier moments in possession before coming off in the second half. 5

Destiny Udogie

A busy performance down the left and defended well late on. 7

Randal Kolo Muani

A hard-working shift from the Frenchman as he pressed and ran at the City defence. 6

Xavi Simons

Spurs’ best player and the game that showed what he can be for this team. Constantly dribbling and probing with the ball and played his part in Tottenham’s first goal with an outside of the foot pass to Solanke. Set up Odobert for an effort and had a deflected strike tipped over by Donnarumma. 9

Dominic Solanke

Some nice interplay with Xavi in the first half and then forced Spurs’ first goal before a delightful backheeled volley. Did come off after holding his ankle near the end of the game. Tottenham can’t afford to lose him again. 8

Subs

Pape Matar Sarr

A really important impact from the bench as he made plenty of important interceptions and runs. 7

Wilson Odobert

A constant threat and should have scored with one shot saved and another blocked in front of goal. 7

Mathys Tel

Came on to a cheer and brought a positive cameo. 6

Jun’ai Byfield

Came on for his Premier League debut and again looked at home. N/A