Spurs took a 2-0 lead into the break courtesy of a pair of goals from Nathan Oduwu, but the game exploded after the restart, when three goals in three minutes raised the volume of the stadium by several notches.
Patrick Vieira’s young charges got themselves back on level terms through Pablo Maffeo and substitute Jack Byrne, but were caught on the back foot less than 60 seconds after equalising.
Spurs captain Harry Winks made them pay for a slight hesitation when playing the offside trap and rounded Billy O’Brien to finish into an empty net. City may have been down for a second time but they were certainly not out, and it was nothing less than a fine second half performance deserved when Jorge Intima tucked home following a corner to restore parity once again.
Byrne went close to finding a winner but in the end the points were shared as a hotly-competitive u21 league continues to live up to the billing.
The sun shone on the Academy Stadium even if there was a chill in the air that reminded spectators that coats are still useful pieces of clothing for football matches in May.
With the 2014/15 campaign entering the final weeks there was a sense of anticipation among those who had taken advantage of the Bank Holiday to come and watch City’s youngsters, who are still gunning for a league and cup double in Patrick Vieira’s second season in charge of the EDS.
Having secured their place in the International Premier League Cup final with a thrilling extra time victory over Leicester last week, focus switched back to the u21 Premier League title race which remains impossible to call with just a handful of games left.
One of several teams with designs on lifting the trophy, City find themselves eight points behind leaders Manchester United, but still holding two games in hand on their neighbours and rivals – as well as the prospect of two upcoming derbies which could potentially decide the destination of the title.
Plenty still to play for then as the two teams emerged from the tunnel under the watchful eye of Manuel Pellegrini and Brian Kidd, here to run a rule over the club’s emerging young talent.
The starting XI revealed half a nod towards Friday’s final date with Porto, and it was a young City side that took to the field against the North London outfit, five of whom have already been included in Europa League squads for the club’s first team.
Kelechi Iheanacho was selected to lead the line once again after scoring twice in his last two appearances at u21 and u18 level, supported by the dual threat of Aaron Nemane and Intima from the wings.
There was also a place for 17-year-old Manu Garcia in an attacking role, while James Horsfield joined George Glendon patrolling the midfield areas in the absence of Kean Bryan.
There were chances at both ends in the game’s early stages, with Tottenham blasting off target twice before Iheanacho had City’s first effort – drawing a good stop from onrushing keeper Luke McGee after being played through brilliantly by Garcia.
However, minutes later Nathan Oduwa hit the sidenetting for Spurs and City failed to heed the warning. Kenny McEvoy showed Angelino a clean pair of heels before crossing for Oduwa to tuck the ball home from close range.
City’s heads refused to go down and the Spurs keeper made another desperate save with his legs to deny Garcia before Iheanacho put the ball inches the wrong side of the near post following a perfect cross from Nemane.
Vieira’s charges were coming on strong but unfortunately it was Spurs who made the most of their chances – in a virtual carbon copy of the first goal, McEvoy crossed for Oduwa to double the visitors’ advantage shortly before the break and it might have been three but for the intervention of Billy O’Brien seconds before the whistle.
The ten minutes following the restart would have made the game worthwhile on their own, as three minutes of non-stop goalmouth action at both ends left coaches stunned and spectators dizzy.
Much to one fan’s particular delight, City’s first resulted from a corner – Garcia took advantage as Spurs failed to clear their lines and McGhee couldn’t hold onto his shot, leaving the ball free for a gleeful Maffeo to thump home.
Almost from the restart, Jorge Intima found his way clear down the right hand side and fought off the defender to pull back for Byrne, who made no mistake from around 12 yards.
However, the net was practically still bulging when celebrations were cut short by Harry Winks at the other end to give Spurs back the lead, and the Academy Stadium was still catching its collective breath when Byrne’s beautiful curling effort smacked against the far stick.
At the other end, O’Brien was called into action to deny Shayne Harrison before Angelino’s low, drilled effort drifted narrowly wide as both teams showed their ambitions to go for more goals rather than sit back.
Aaron Nemane had the ball in the net with a wonderful overhead kick only to see the linesman’s flag raised for the ball going out of play before it reached him, while Glendon’s long range try was not far over the bar, and a desperate sliding block was required to deny Intima the chance to tuck away Garcia’s fizzing ball across the box.
However, the winger didn’t have to wait long to add his name to the scoresheet – finishing off another move from a corner after Byrne’s shot proved too hot for McGhee to handle.
The Irish youth international made quite an impression after entering the fray for the second 45 minutes, and was unlucky to see another effort from distance diverted behind.
Time was against both sides and in the end the spoils were shared after a great game that will have left no fan regretting the decision to venture out on Bank Holiday Monday.
Next up – a chance of silverware against Porto on Friday night.
