Premier League: Julian Alvarez Stars For Manchester City, Richarlison Winner Secures Top Four for Tottenham

Erling Haaland made his Manchester City comeback as the champions beat Burnley 3-1, while Tottenham delivered a come-from-behind win 3-2 against Brentford on Wednesday.

Haaland had been sidelined for nearly two months by a foot injury, but City barely missed the presence of the Norwegian as they won nine and drew one of the 10 games when he was absent.

Julian Alvarez again stepped up in Haaland’s absence as the Argentine struck twice on his 24th birthday to effectively end the game at the Etihad as a contest inside 22 minutes.

The Argentine headed in from Matheus Nunes’ cross and then finished off a clever free-kick from Kevin De Bruyne.

Rodri made it 3-0 inside the first minute of the second half, but Pep Guardiola made the expectant home crowd wait until 19 minutes from time for Haaland’s introduction.

Rather than a goalscoring return from last season’s Golden Boot winner, it was the Clarets who struck next to end a run of 22 consecutive City goals in league meetings between the sides.

Ameen Al Dakhil struck four minutes into stoppage time, but it was no more than a consolation for the Clarets, who remain second bottom and seven points adrift of safety.

“Today the game was not close. There are games with this score that feel closer, this was not,” Guardiola said.

“Kevin De Bruyne and Erling are going to help us this part of the season.”

Tottenham Enter Top Four

In Wednesday’s other game, Tottenham climbed into the top four with a 3-2 win over Brentford.

Neal Maupay gave the Bees a deserved half-time lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

But Ange Postecoglou’s side hit back with three goals in the first 11 minutes of the second period.

Destiny Udogie blasted home from close range to level before Brennan Johnson tapped in Timo Werner’s low cross at the back post.

Tottenham appeared to have the points won when Richarlison turned in his ninth goal of the season.

However, an error from Udogie teed up Ivan Toney to score his second goal in as many games since returning from an eight-month gambling ban.

Spurs held on through seven minutes of added time to edge above Aston Villa on goals scored into fourth as the battle for a place in next season’s Champions League hots up.

“It’s a young, maturing team. Friday’s loss to Manchester City showed we have a long way to go and tonight was another test,” Postecoglou said.