Substitute Gabriel Martinelli scored a crucial goal to tie the game, canceling out Erling Haaland's early opener.

Rice praised Martinelli's impact off the bench, noting that the game's pace and space allowed him to showcase his skills.

"When a player comes on in the later stages of the game, the dynamics change," Rice explained. "The game opens up, and players like Gabi can take advantage of the extra space with their pace and dribbling."

Rice also highlighted the team's improved performance in possession, saying it was one of the best against Manchester City since he joined the team.

"We passed the ball well and made them play a different way than usual," Rice said. "It shows respect for our team's abilities and the way we're playing."

Rice acknowledged the disappointing first goal, but praised the team's resilience and determination to keep fighting for a result.

"We could have let our heads drop, but we kept pushing and showing the mentality we needed," Rice said. "Gabi's goal was a great reward for our efforts, and we definitely deserved something from the game."