Haaland hat-trick chaos as Man City edge Spurs in seven-goal thriller – live drama
09.02.2026 - 11:42:59
From the first whistle it was like someone hit fast-forward. City tried to suffocate Spurs with that usual blue-wave possession, but Ange-ball doesn't blink. High line, brave pressing, and suddenly we're in a basketball scoreline in the Premier League live window.
Seven-goal madness: Haaland vs Son turns into a street fight
The opener came early. In the ninth minute, Erling Haaland bullied his way between Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, meeting a wicked Kevin De Bruyne cross with a towering header. 1-0 City, keeper Guglielmo Vicario rooted. Classic Haaland, classic De Bruyne – that combo still feels totally unfair.
But Spurs snapped back. On 22 minutes, Son Heung-min equalised after a slick one-touch move through midfield. James Maddison slipped a ball between the lines, Brennan Johnson squared it first time, and Son arrived late at the edge of the box to curl one low past Ederson into the bottom corner. Textbook Son finish – precise, cold, clinical.
Then came the first real gut-punch for City. Just before half-time, in the 44th minute, Son again. A quick Spurs break, Pedro Porro driving down the right, his cross deflected off Ruben Dias, and Son pounced at the back post to stab it home. 2-1 Spurs. The Etihad went from loud to stunned in about two seconds.
Second-half eruption: Haaland goes nuclear
Pep's half-time talk clearly hit. City came out flying and in the 51st minute, De Bruyne threaded another disgusting pass between full-back and centre-back for Haaland to chase. One touch to set, one touch to smash low across Vicario – 2-2 and the big Norwegian screaming into the cameras. That's 2 for Haaland, 2 for Son. Duel locked.
Ten minutes later, chaos. City got a penalty after a corner melee – VAR checked a Romero shirt-pull on Manuel Akanji for what felt like forever. The ref finally stuck with the on-field decision, and Haaland stepped up. Cool as you like, he drilled it straight down the middle for his hat-trick in the 61st minute. 3-2 City, Haaland spinning into the corner flag celebration, the stadium absolutely bouncing.
Spurs refused to die, though. In the 74th minute, Maddison won a free-kick 25 yards out. He'd been quiet in patches, but this was pure quality. Maddison whipped it over the wall, Ederson got fingertips but not enough, and suddenly it was 3-3. What a hit. The travelling Spurs fans lost it.
VAR drama & late winner: Foden the silent assassin
The hot topic? VAR, obviously. In the 82nd minute, City thought they'd gone ahead again when Phil Foden slid home after a scramble, only for the flag to go up. VAR lines came out, everyone in the stadium held their breath, and the decision – agonisingly – stayed offside by a boot lace. X is already melting down about the call.
But Foden wasn't done. In the 89th minute, Bernardo Silva danced past two Spurs shirts on the left, clipped a perfect cut-back to the penalty spot, and Phil Foden smashed it first time into the top corner. 4-3. Absolute bedlam. You could feel the roar through the TV. Pep went wild on the touchline, Ange just stared in disbelief.
Spurs had one last look – a Son cross flashed through the six-yard box in stoppage time – but nobody got a touch. City held on. Final whistle: Manchester City 4–3 Tottenham Hotspur, Haaland hat-trick, Son brace, Maddison magic, and VAR arguments for days.
Stars report card: Heroes & flops
- Erling Haaland (Man City) – 10/10. Three goals, monstrous movement, lived in Spurs' backline all night. He bullied, pressed, linked play and dragged City back into it. This is exactly why defenders have nightmares about him.
- Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) – 8/10. Two gorgeous assists, constant danger between the lines. Faded late but the damage was already done.
- Phil Foden (Man City) – 8/10. Looked quiet at times but showed ice-cold composure when it mattered most with that 89th-minute rocket. Big-game player written all over him.
- Son Heung-min (Spurs) – 9/10. Two goals away at City in a game this intense? Elite. His movement on the shoulder of the last defender is still world-class.
- James Maddison (Spurs) – 8/10. One goal from a free-kick, key passes all game. When Spurs were on top, it was usually Maddison pulling the strings.
- Spurs defence – 5/10. Brave high line is fun to watch, but against Haaland it's borderline suicidal. Romero and Van de Ven were heroic at times but still conceded four.
Title race shockwaves: where this leaves City & Spurs
This result feels huge. City needed a statement win to keep the pressure on at the top of the football league table, and they delivered – just about. Three points here keep them right in the face of the league leaders, while Spurs' top-four hopes take a serious dent after throwing away a position of strength again.
City's attack looks terrifying, but that backline is still giving up big chances. For Spurs, the philosophy is clear and the football is brave, but you can't keep conceding four in these kinds of soccer games and expect Champions League football next season.
What does this mean for the title race? Click here for the live standings
Elsewhere in Europe: Champions League contenders flex
While the Premier League live drama grabbed the spotlight, the Champions League news radar was buzzing too. Across the continent, the usual giants kept their engines warm. Jude Bellingham bagged a late winner for Real Madrid in La Liga, arriving late in the box – again – to nod home a Vin edcius J fanior cross. In France, Kylian Mbapp e9 scored from the spot and added an assist as PSG crushed their opponents 3-0, reminding everyone why they're still a nightmare draw for anyone in Europe.
All of this feeds into the bigger Champions League picture: City throwing punches in England, PSG and Madrid cruising in their leagues, and the knockout rounds looming. Today's fireworks weren't just about three points – they were a statement that the heavyweights are tuned up and ready.
The Internet is Exploding: 3 Social Media Highlights
X Discussion: Fans losing it over that late VAR offside call and Haaland's hat-trick celebration
My take: this is why you never switch off a City game
Honestly, in my opinion, you can say whatever you want about tactics and xG, but this is why we watch football. City looked dead at 2-1, then furious at 3-3, then absolutely possessed in the final minutes. Haaland was a machine, Foden showed superstar mentality, and De Bruyne is still painting passes like it's an art gallery.
For Spurs, I love the courage, but at some point Ange has to decide: is it vibes or is it trophies? Because pushing your backline that high against Haaland is asking to get cooked – and he did the cooking, big time. Still, when Son and Maddison are in this mood, Spurs can beat anyone. They just can't quite finish the job away at the real monsters yet.
But if you're into raw emotion, late winners, and social media meltdowns, today delivered in full. This is the kind of match you talk about all week.
Don't blink now – the table's shifting live, the title race is wide open, and the next round of soccer games is already lining up.
Check full stats & standings now
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@ ad-hoc-news.de
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