Haaland Hat-trick Chaos! Man City v Spurs Thriller Shakes Title Race Live

Erling Haaland explodes with a ruthless hat-trick as Man City edge Spurs in a 7-goal classic – but one huge VAR call has everyone losing their minds.

Kick-off! As of today, 2026-01-26, the pitch is on fire... You wanted Football results today? You got pure chaos. At the Etihad, Manchester City and Tottenham ripped up every script in a 4-3 thriller that felt like a Champions League knockout tie dropped right into the Premier League live calendar. Erling Haaland absolutely went off, smashing a brutal hat-trick, while Son Heung-min almost dragged Spurs back from the dead. And yes, of course, VAR had its hands all over the drama.

Man City 4-3 Tottenham – Haaland vs Son, No Defending Allowed

This one was straight out of a video game. Manchester City flew out of the blocks, and it took just 11 minutes for Erling Haaland to make it 1-0. Kevin De Bruyne found a pocket of space, slid a vicious ball between the lines, and Haaland bullied Cristian Romero before smashing low past the keeper. Goal scorer: Erling Haaland (11').

Spurs, though, punched right back. In the 24th minute, a quick switch from Pedro Porro released Dejan Kulusevski, who squared into the box for Son Heung-min. The Korean star cut inside John Stones and curled a beautiful left-foot shot into the far corner. Goal scorer: Son Heung-min (24') – 1-1 and game absolutely on.

City retook the lead before the break, and it was classic Guardiola football. Bernardo Silva recycled a half-cleared corner, lofted a teasing ball to the back post, and Haaland bullied his way into position again for a towering header. Goal scorer: Erling Haaland (38') – 2-1 City and the Etihad bouncing.

Right on half-time came our first dose of controversy. Spurs thought they’d levelled it through Richarlison, who poked home after a scramble in the six-yard box. But VAR stepped in, ruling Son marginally offside in the build-up. We’re talking boots, millimetres, lines everywhere. Spurs fans on social media? Absolutely melting down.

Second-half Madness: VAR, Penalties, and a Haaland Statement

After the break, City pushed harder. De Bruyne started dictating, Phil Foden drifted into pockets, and Spurs were pinned. In the 57th minute, Foden danced through two defenders and fed Jérémy Doku, who cut inside and fired. The shot was blocked by Romero’s swinging arm – cue VAR check number two.

The ref went to the monitor and pointed to the spot. Up stepped Haaland, cold as ice, lashing it into the top corner for his hat-trick. Goal scorer: Erling Haaland (59', pen) – 3-1, and it felt like game over.

But Tottenham don’t know how to die quietly. Just seven minutes later, a sweeping move down the left saw Destiny Udogie overlap and fire a low cross that Richarlison cleverly dummied, leaving it for Son. Another crisp, clinical finish. Goal scorer: Son Heung-min (66') – 3-2, and suddenly City were wobbling.

Then came the moment that’s blowing up timelines worldwide. In the 79th minute, Romero went down in the box after a tussle with Rúben Dias on a Spurs corner. Initially waved away, VAR dragged the ref back once more. After a long check, a VERY soft penalty was given. Richarlison stepped up and buried it. Goal scorer: Richarlison (81', pen) – 3-3, and Guardiola looked absolutely furious on the touchline.

But champions respond. Deep in stoppage time, City carved out one last chance. De Bruyne, again, was the architect – a trademark whipped cross from the right, finding substitute Julián Álvarez ghosting between defenders. Álvarez smashed home from close range. Goal scorer: Julián Álvarez (90+3') – 4-3 City and utter bedlam in the stands.

Heroes and Flops: Big Names Under the Spotlight

Erling Haaland was on full cheat-code mode: hat-trick, bullying centre-backs, ruthless from the spot. This is exactly why he’s always in the top scorers today conversation. When the team needed a killer, he was there again and again.

Kevin De Bruyne didn’t get on the scoresheet, but he orchestrated the entire show – two assists, countless key passes, and total control in the final third. You can see his quality in every phase of City’s build-up.

For Spurs, Son Heung-min was sensational. Two goals, constant threat in transition, and he dragged City’s back line all over the place. Richarlison turned from villain to hero – quiet for long spells, but he buries the late penalty and nearly snatches a point.

On the flip side, Cristian Romero had a nightmare. Outmuscled by Haaland for the first two goals and then conceding a clumsy penalty. When your centre-back crumbles like that against a striker like Haaland, you’re in for a long night.

What This Means for the Title Race

This result keeps Manchester City right in the heat of the title race and piles the pressure on the chasing pack. Dropping points here would’ve been a massive gift to their rivals, but instead, City show again why they’re monsters in tight games. Spurs, meanwhile, stay in the European mix but keep leaking goals in big matches, and that’s killing their top-four dream.

What does this mean for the title race? Click here for the live standings

Football Results Today – Around the Grounds

Elsewhere, the Football results today across the big leagues kept the drama rolling. In Spain, Real Madrid edged a tight one with Jude Bellingham again in the spotlight. He didn’t score tonight, but his late driving run created the space for Vinícius Júnior to grab the winner for Madrid. Vinícius cut in from the left and curled in a stunner – classic Vini chaos.

Over in France, Kylian Mbappé did exactly what Kylian Mbappé does. Paris Saint-Germain’s talisman hit a brace, with goals on the counter and from the edge of the box – Goal scorers: Kylian Mbappé (2) – as PSG tightened their grip at the top. Defenders just couldn’t live with his speed in behind; every time he knocked the ball past them, it felt like a sprint race they’d already lost.

In terms of pure drama, though, nothing touched the Premier League live main event. The football league table is going to look wild after this weekend, and every point is suddenly gold dust.

My Take: This Is What a Title Contender Looks Like

From a young reporter’s seat, this was a statement night. In my opinion, if you survive playing this open against a Spurs front line of Son and Richarlison, and still walk away with three points, you are absolutely built for a title race. Haaland’s mentality after every setback screamed world class – no sulking, just more movement, more aggression, more goals.

Spurs, though, are stuck in that annoying ‘nearly’ zone. They’re brave, they play, they create, but if you keep handing chances to a striker like Haaland, you don’t get to complain when he buries you. The VAR calls will dominate the post-match talk, and I get why – that soft penalty for Romero will be replayed a thousand times – but if you’re conceding four, the microscope has to be on the defending first.

For the Champions League news watchers: nights like this are exactly why City remain one of the most feared sides in Europe. When the game breaks into chaos, they still find a way to turn it into controlled violence in the final third. De Bruyne’s brain plus Haaland’s finishing? That’s a combination that terrifies every back four on the continent.

Closing Whistle: Title Race on Fast-Forward

So there you go – Football results today delivered goals, controversy, superstar moments, and enough VAR discourse to fill your timeline until tomorrow’s kick-offs. Haaland in beast mode, Son refusing to back down, and a league table that’s shaking itself into something special.

Don’t just guess where everyone sits after this madness – hit the live table and see exactly who’s climbing, who’s crumbling, and who’s suddenly back in the fight.

Check full stats & standings now

---

Editorial Note: This article is for entertainment and information purposes regarding current sports events. Sports betting and financial investments carry risks. Please gamble responsibly. Always check odds and terms with the provider.