LONDON, Feb 27,  (V7N) – Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City will return as a dominant force in the Premier League after Erling Haaland's early strike secured a 1-0 victory over Tottenham on Wednesday.

Haaland’s clinical finish in the 12th minute kept City's top-four hopes alive, moving them into fourth place as they aim for Champions League qualification next season.

However, this campaign has been a major letdown for City, who have won the last four Premier League titles and six of the last seven under Guardiola. Liverpool are running away with the title this season, leaving City 20 points adrift after a poor run of form.

With Real Madrid knocking them out of the Champions League, City's only chance for silverware this season remains the FA Cup.

Despite City's struggles, Guardiola remains confident his team will bounce back:

"Never will this season be the old City," he admitted. "Old City were too good, but we will be back."

A Game of Two Halves

City started strongly and should have increased their lead, wasting several chances before being put under heavy second-half pressure by Spurs.

"The game was open in the second half because we didn’t close it in the first," Guardiola said. "In this stadium, they always have 20 to 25 minutes of pressure, and we suffered."

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou believed his team’s eagerness cost them in a one-sided first half, before they dominated after the break.

"First half we were too eager to get forward and wasteful with the ball. Against City, that allows them to get into a rhythm," he said.

"Second half, we dominated the game and territory, we were relentless, much better with the ball, but just missing a goal. It did look more like us today."

Spurs, who sit 13th in the table, are now focused on their Europa League campaign as they attempt to end a 17-year trophy drought.

City, meanwhile, will look to finish strong in the league and push for FA Cup glory, with Guardiola convinced they will be back atthe top in the near future.

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