Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City: Match Review

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3 - 1 MANCHESTER CITY
Dempsey 75, Defoe 79, Bale 82                                          Nasri 5



Sunday's crucial tie saw Bale and co. serve up title delight for Manchester United with a magical 7 minute comeback. 

Five minutes in and Spurs' Champions League hopes looked hopelessly far away; Samir Nasri opening the scoring for the blues with a tidy finish following some outstanding work by Carlos Tevez. Calm and comfortable, City continued their frustrating habit of sitting back after scoring. And Spurs prepared a lethal attack.

The returning Gareth Bale, absolutely instrumental in Tottenham's Champions League push this season, delivered an inch perfect ball for Clint Dempsey to equalise on 75 minutes. And it wasn't over there. Before the game, Emmanuel Adebayor had words to say about the so-called tension in City's dressing room. However, actions speak louder than words and action certainly deserted the temperamental Togolese forward who's departure ignited Spurs' comeback. Jermaine Defoe took his place and four minutes after Dempsey had clinched an equaliser, the deadly England striker lashed a beautiful finish into Joe Hart's left hand corner from 20 yards.

Fanatic frenzy erupted in the Lane and they wanted more. So did Bale. With eight minutes to go, the Welsh wizard waved off Gael Clichy, drove into City's box and chipped a delightful finish over the head of Joe Hart.

City stunned. Spurs stupendous.

Questions have been asked all year about the curious tactics employed by Mancini. Sinclair, Kolarov and Lescott were all brought on instead of the in form Sergio Aguero who would have offered us a goal threat. Roberto's eyes seem to be on the FA Cup, however, why deprive his side, and fans, of a possible win? Many believe his future rests on the outcome of the FA Cup, but is that enough for a club of our stature?

You decide.

Player Ratings
 Joe Hart 7
Could do nothing for any of the goals and for 75 minutes, seemed to have no trouble.

 Pablo Zabaleta 6
Solid until the 79th minute when he was missing for Defoe's goal.

 Vincent Kompany 6
Intimidating defending from the Belgian whose return has indubitably sured up City's back line. However, seemed to go into meltdown after the 75th minute, allowing Dempsey and Defoe to score.

 Matija Nastasic 6
Won the battle between himself and Adebayor but ultimately struggled with the frightening pace of Spurs.

 Gael Clichy 6
Handled Walker relatively well but was unable to provide City with any attacking threat.

 Yaya Toure 7
Mancini has to realise that Yaya is a different player when pushed up. He manned the midfield brilliantly, but is so much more effective higher up the pitch.

 Gareth Barry 7
Continued his impressive form by keeping out Bale for the majority of the game.

 James Milner 6
Instrumental in Nasri's goal but was taken off at half time.

 Samir Nasri 6
Tidy finish for City's goal but he is gradually earning the nickname of 'the drifter'.

 Carlos Tevez 7
I'd like to give him an 8 for his brilliance in City's goal, but he was tamed in the second half.

 Edin Dzeko 3
Did absolutely nothing. He'll be gone in summer.