Manchester City broke their four-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over Luton Town on Sunday, thanks to a goal from Jack Grealish.
Pep Guardiola’s team trailed to Elijah Adebayo’s goal late in the first half at Kenilworth Road, despite the absence of top scorer Erling Haaland due to injury.
After squandering numerous chances, City finally found their stride, scoring two goals in three minutes after the break.
Silva equalised, and Grealish scored the game-winning goal, giving City their first win in five league games.
City were in danger of dropping out of the title race after their sluggish 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Wednesday, which came after draws with Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham.
Liverpool’s victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday extended their advantage above City to seven points.
However, fourth-placed City reacted with a tenacious performance to cut the distance on Liverpool to four points.
City still have work to do if they are to win an incredible fourth consecutive Premier League title, and Haaland’s fitness issue could not have come at a worse moment.
Haaland, who had started every league game for City this season, was sidelined with a foot ailment that could limit his availability for the triple champions’ demanding Christmas schedule.
Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, said Haaland, who has 19 goals this season, noticed the injury following Wednesday’s defeat at Aston Villa.
Guardiola will be working on his fitness as City prepares to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia before returning for the busy holiday schedule.
Despite their lowly position, Luton Town have been a difficult proposition at home since their 31-year hiatus from the Premier League.
They drew 1-1 with Liverpool, who needed a late equaliser to avoid defeat, and were seconds away from a point against Arsenal before falling 4-3 on Tuesday.
City were the latest star-studded team to find an unwelcome reception among the terraced houses that ring little Kenilworth Road on their first visit since 1998.
Escape from the city
While they dominated the first half, Guardiola’s players were hampered by sloppy finishing.
Phil Foden sprinted onto Silva’s ball for a blistering drive that Thomas Kaminski stopped at full stretch before Silva wastedfully clipped the rebound wide.
Kaminski saved Luton once more, this time by extending his hand to resist Rodri’s strike and then diving to his right to deny Foden’s shot.
City kept pushing, and Alvarez pushed wide from Grealish’s pass, while Foden was denied at his feet by Kaminski’s heroic stop.
Guardiola was squirming nervously on the touchline by the time Mateo Kovacic’s shot flashed over.
Luton took the lead with seconds remaining in the first half, confirming the Spaniard’s suspicions.
Josko Gvardiol gave Andros Townsend too much space on the right flank, allowing his cross to reach the far post, where Adebayo soared above Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker to head in.
Guardiola exited the pitch after an angry debate with officials over the goal being scored after the two minutes of stoppage time had expired.
When Rodri side-footed wide from Walker’s cross in the second half, the boos from the Luton fans added to City’s woes.
But Dias’ free-kick against the crossbar foreshadowed City’s impending comeback, and they drew level in the 62nd minute.
Rodri sent the ball rolling into the Luton area, and when the ball broke for Silva, he curled a beautiful finish into the far corner.
Three minutes later, City’s comeback was complete when handball protests against Julian Alvarez were turned down before the Argentine’s low cross found Grealish for a superb close-range finish.
Guardiola celebrated by sarcastically kissing the Luton coaching staff while internally sighing with relief at City’s escape.