Harry Kane broke the all-time scoring record for Tottenham as a 1-0 home win over Manchester City handed Arsenal a huge boost in the Premier League title race.
Leaders Arsenal s 1-0 defeat at strugglers Everton on Saturday offered City the chance to cut the gap to just two points, but Spurs did their north London rivals a favour a day later.
Kane s cool 15th-minute finish, which also marked his 200th Premier League strike, took him past Jimmy Greaves onto 267 goals for the hosts, who defended resolutely to see out victory despite a late red card for Cristian Romero.
Spurs, without head coach Antonio Conte after gallbladder surgery, moved within a point of the top four, while City trail Arsenal by five having played a game more.
267.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial)
Manuel Akanji could only head straight at Hugo Lloris after five minutes with a presentable chance as City – who opted to start without Kevin De Bruyne – enjoyed a dominant opening.
But Spurs struck first against the run of play as Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg nipped in front of Rico Lewis before offloading to Kane, who finished into the bottom-left corner for a historic goal.
Jack Grealish curled narrowly wide and Riyad Mahrez s fizzing close-range effort was denied by the crossbar as City searched for a response before the interval.
Pep Guardiola sent on De Bruyne for Mahrez before the hour and his short free-kick teed up Julian Alvarez, whose arrowing drive was thwarted by Eric Dier s goal-line block.
Alvarez whistled another thumping effort narrowly wide soon after and, although Romero was dismissed after picking up a second booking for a foul on Grealish, City were ultimately frustrated as their title tilt hit a stumbling block.
What does it mean? Advantage Arsenal after Spurs right previous City wrongs
Spurs and Conte were left to a rue a missed chance after squandering a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 at City last month.
However, Tottenham – managed by assistant Cristian Stellini in Conte s absence – exacted revenge to win their fourth straight home league game against City.
Guardiola s men did not score in any of those fixtures, marking just the third time City have lost four straight Premier League away games against an opponent without netting, as Arsenal were handed the advantage in the title race.
Monumental day for Kane
Not only did Kane surpass the late Greaves to etch his name in Tottenham history, the England striker also joined an illustrious Premier League club with his calm first-half strike.
Kane is just the third player to hit the double century of goals in the competition, achieving the feat in 304 games – Alan Shearer needed 306, while Wayne Rooney required 462.
Premier League goals for Harry Kane!
He s just the third player to reach 200 after Alan Shearer (260) and Wayne Rooney (208).
This is Kane s 304th PL game, meaning he s hit the milestone in fewer games than the other two (Shearer 306, Rooney 462).
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst)
Guardiola s Tottenham woe continues
While City staged an impressive second-half comeback in the first league meeting between these two sides this season, Guardiola may be wondering what he must do to win at Spurs.
The City head coach has lost all five of his visits to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in all competitions – Spurs home soil representing the away ground Guardiola has managed most at in his career without winning.
Key Opta Facts
Tottenham have won five of their last seven Premier League games against Manchester City (L2) and each of their last four against the Citizens at home, by an aggregate scoreline of 6-0.
Under Pep Guardiola, City have lost more Premier League games against Tottenham (6) than they have against any other side.
Tottenham have won back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since October, while City have lost consecutive away league games in a single season for the first time since March-July 2020 (run of three).
Tottenham have scored the opening goal in six of their last seven Premier League games against Manchester City and in each of the last four.
What s next?
City will look to bounce back at home to Aston Villa on February 12, while Tottenham visit Leicester City the day before.
