Team News
City look to get back to winning ways at White Hart Lane today.
Claudio Reyna makes a return to the Blues’ line-up today having recovered from his shoulder injury.
Micah Richards plays in a central midfield role with Danny Mills continuing at right back. Willo Flood didn’t travel with the squad from the hotel this morning after picking up a virus.
Match Report
Spurs kick off here in the sunshine as City aim to make up for last week’s home defeat against Boro.
The start to the game matched the weather for it’s brightness and Spurs pressed hard for an early advantage - but possibly the best opening came to Georgios Samaras who, after good work with Vassell, hit a volley wide of Robinson’s goal.
City had another good spell of forward possession and on 11 minutes Musampa could only drive over the bar from distance.
The home side’s first shot at James came by way of Carrick’s long range free kick, which James easily turned behind for a corner on 15 minutes.
Tottenham nerves were evident as moments later Sinclair and Richards combined well with the latter seeing his shot creep just wide.
For all their good work, City were nearly undone by a mistake of their own making, James attempted to dribble the ball away from Keane but a heavy touch saw Mido nip in and take the ball wide into the box - luckily Distin’s tackle only gave Spurs a corner.
Slightly rattled after that; a loose Thatcher header gifted Keane the chance to open the scoring. His attempted lob didn’t trouble James and he caught the ball with ease.
Vassell became the first victim of referee Gallagher’s picky ways as he collected a yellow card for encroachment on 26 minutes.
Musampa again tried his luck just after the half hour mark. This time a vicious half-volley from 20-yards narrowly cleared the bar.
Spurs looked certain to score just seven minutes before the break but an amazing save from the much barracked James prevented Keane from putting his team 1-0 up. The Irishman collected the ball and hammered a shot in from the edge of the box - but James somehow managed to tip the ball onto the bar.
City had done well to hold out but disaster was to strike just before the break.
Mido hooked the ball over to Keane who jinked past Dunne and forced another great save from James and the luck deserted City again as Paul Stalteri put the finishing touch on 43 minutes as he tapped home.
HALF TIME: Spurs 1-0 City
No changes at half time for either side as City look to shake off the disappointment of that goal just before the break.
But it was to get worse. Michael Carrick doubled the pain on 49 minutes as Tainio’s ball over the top let the midfielder in and he thumped the ball beyond James from six-yards out.
A quick response was needed now and that’s what we got. A long Distin throw-in found its way in to the box and Georgios Samaras managed to find the bottom corner just two minutes after going two down.
Riera replaced Mills as City made the first change of the game on 58 minutes. It certainly was lively fayre now as City scrapped to get back on level terms and Spurs looked to regain their two-goal lead.
It was the Blues looking more likely though and on 65 minutes City had two chances. Firstly, Richards had an effort cleared off the line after a corner and then Riera fired a swerving shot, which Robinson managed to beat away.
The next chance fell to Spurs and Gardner saw James make another fine stop. End to end stuff now.
James was again to the rescue minutes later as he made a full-length save from Stalteri’s deceptive shot.
Ben Thatcher became the third City player to go in the book with a rash challenge on Lennon as the balance power had now shifted back to Spurs.
Again that balance shifted and City applied pressure looking for that equaliser. The crowd became jittery as Spurs clung on and hoped to grab a third to settle it.
Spurs brought on Davids to sure things up and grind out the win when a draw really was a fair result.
In the end City were unlucky in defeat and their performance deserved better.
FULL TIME: Spurs 2-1 City
