Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Erling Haaland scored on his return to action as Manchester City held on for victory against Tottenham Hotspur to improve their hopes of a top-four finish.

City started strongly and went ahead in the 12th minute when Haaland met Jeremy Doku’s low cross with a first-time side-footed finish into the bottom corner, having been left unmarked.

After controlling the first half, the visitors faded after the break, with Ederson called into action to prevent Wilson Odobert’s deflected effort from looping over him.

Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min came off the bench – both were surprisingly left out of the starting XI by Ange Postecoglou – and their involvement further shifted momentum, with Son denied an equaliser by Ederson following a fast break.

“The game, it was open second half because we didn’t close the first. In this stadium always they have 20 to 25 minutes and second half we suffered,” Guardiola later explained.

“Never will [we be] the old City this season. Old City were too good, but we will be back.”

Victory moves City up to fourth in the table, while Spurs sit 13th.