Manchester City returned to winning ways against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.
The Citizens, who lost to Liverpool at the weekend, overcame Spurs 1-0, thanks to Erling Haaland’s 12th-minute goal.
The Norwegian missed the previous two fixtures against Real Madrid and the Reds, but made a huge impact on his return to action.
Haaland met Jeremy Doku’s low cross with a superb side-footed finish into the bottom corner.
City threatened to double their advantage but the lack of end product meant they couldn’t.
Following a lacklustre first-half display, Tottenham significantly improved after the break. But their wastefulness in front of goal and Ederson’s brilliance between the sticks prevented them from scoring an equaliser.
Wilson Odobert failed to convert, while January signing Mathys Tel scuffed a finish with only the goalkeeper to beat.
It was far from a vintage performance from Pep Guardiola’s side, but they will be very happy with the three points they get to take back to Manchester.
City keep their fourth place in the Premier League table, with 47 points from 27 matches.
A defeat or a draw would have allowed Chelsea, who smashed Southampton 4-0 in their previous league match, to overtake the Citizens.
However, the defending champions secured a narrow victory against Spurs to retain their place in fourth.
They will now take on Plymouth Argyle at home in the FA Cup before meeting Nottingham Forest in an away match.
It has been a highly disappointing season for Guardiola’s side. They were top favourites to win the Premier League title for the fifth consecutive time.
However, that is impossible now as Liverpool are 20 points ahead of them at the summit.
City also crashed out of the Champions League after a 6-3 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid.
The English giants are out of the Carabao Cup, though they are still alive in the FA Cup.
