Stunning Comeback Left City Title Hopes In Tatters

Last updated : 29 January 2014 By Footy Mad - Editor

2012/13 SPURS 3 CITY 1

1. Joe Hart   
5. Pablo Zabaleta   
4. Vincent Kompany   
33. Matija Nastasic   
22. Gael Clichy  90+1' 
42. Yaya Toure   
18. Gareth Barry   
7. James Milner  46' 
32. Carlos Tevez   
8. Samir Nasri   
10. Edin Dzeko  83' 
 
Subs
30. Costel Pantilimon   
6. Joleon Lescott  90+1' 
11. Scott Sinclair  83' 
13. Aleksandar Kolarov  46' 
14. Javi Garcia   
16. Sergio Aguero   
28. Kolo Toure 

Tottenham's Champions League hopes received a huge shot in the arm after they staged a stunning comeback which left Manchester City on the brink of relinquishing their Premier League crown.


 
Former Arsenal man Samir Nasri looked as if he was going to inflict another damaging defeat on Andre Villas-Boas' men when he put City ahead in the first half.

Despite the return of Gareth Bale, Spurs struggled to get into the game. They lacked cohesion for the most part, but Villas-Boas' substitutions changed the game and led to a spell of three goals in seven minutes to claim a famous victory which means Manchester United will win the title on Monday night if they beat strugglers Aston Villa at home.

Clint Dempsey equalised for Spurs from Bale's cross before Jermain Defoe marked his return with a powerful finish after being found by substitute Lewis Holtby and Bale rounded off the win with his 23rd goal of the season in the 82nd minute after being played in by another replacement Tom Huddlestone.

Roberto Mancini will find the trip back up to Lancashire tonight difficult given that his team dominated the majority of the game.

The way in which they folded at the end of the second half demonstrated why they do not deserve to be retain their title, however.

Villas-Boas, on the other hand, can reflect on a much-needed win which puts his team back in the hunt for Champions League qualification.

The Portuguese must take huge credit for today's win. His substitutions and a change to 4-3-3 in the final stages proved to be the catalyst for the victory.

With Bale back in the ranks, the Spurs faithful seemed optimistic about their chances of pulling off a much-needed victory.

The early signs were good. Amid a vibrant atmosphere in north London, the Welshman jinked past two defenders and fired a swirling shot which Joe Hart needed two attempts to gather.

The atmosphere soon turned sour though when City opened the scoring. With just over four minutes on the clock, Carlos Tevez stretched the Spurs back four and picked out James Milner, who fed Nasri and he slotted home with a cushioned volley.

A period of scrappy play followed. Kyle Walker needed treatment after a rash challenge from Nasri while Jan Vertonghen needed a change of shirt after being caught by Edin Dzeko's flying arm in an aerial challenge.

Spurs started to come in to the game more, but they still lacked the quality to test Hart.The England stopper was only called in to action once in the first period, saving well from Kyle Walker after he collected Dempsey's reverse pass.

Dawson and Vertonghen threw themselves in to the path of Nasri to force the Frenchman to shoot wide.

Hugo Lloris then had to be at his best to deny Dzeko and Tevez in quick succession, but Spurs then went up the other end and thought they should have had a penalty when Michael Dawson's header struck Gareth Barry's arm, but referee Lee Mason waved play on.

Dempsey had a golden opportunity to equalise just before the break but he headed over from Gylfi Sigurdsson's corner.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto was lucky to stay on the pitch after a mis-timed rash challenge on Pablo Zabaleta that saw him receive a yellow.

Yaya Toure stung Lloris' palms with a rasping drive and it took a brilliant tackle from Vertonghen to stop Tevez from racing clear.

Villas-Boas brought on Tom Huddlestone and Lewis Holtby and switched to a 4-3-3 formation with Bale at the centre of the attack.

Tottenham's push for an equaliser looked destined for failure until the 75th minute.

City backed off Bale and he whipped a low teasing cross which Dempsey converted from close range.

The goal lifted Tottenham's spirits and they threw everything at City. The tactic paid off when

Defoe, who had been on the pitch for just seven minutes, latched on to Holtby's through-ball and curled a brilliant shot past Hart.

A carnival atmosphere broke out inside White Hart Lane and the roof nearly came off moments later when Bale killed the game off by lifting the ball over Hart after a brilliant through-ball from Huddlestone.

Aleksander Kolarov curled a free-kick over, but City knew their chance of taking anything from the game had gone and it was Spurs who were rejoicing at the final whistle.

CITY v SPURS

2013/2014 Sun 24 Nov Man. City 6 - 0 Tottenham H. Premier League  
2012/2013 Sun 21 Apr Tottenham H. 3 - 1 Man. City Premier League  
 Sun 11 Nov Man. City 2 - 1 Tottenham H. Premier League  
2011/2012 Sun 22 Jan Man. City 3 - 2 Tottenham H. Premier League  
 Sun 28 Aug Tottenham H. 1 - 5 Man. City Premier League  
2010/2011 Tue 10 May Man. City 1 - 0 Tottenham H. Premier League  
 Sat 14 Aug Tottenham H. 0 - 0 Man. City Premier League  
2009/2010 Wed 05 May Man. City 0 - 1 Tottenham H. Premier League  
 Wed 16 Dec Tottenham H. 3 - 0 Man. City Premier League  
2008/2009 Sat 16 May Tottenham H. 2 - 1 Man. City Premier League  
 Sun 09 Nov Man. City 1 - 2 Tottenham H. Premier League  
2007/2008 Sun 16 Mar Man. City 2 - 1 Tottenham H. Premier League  
 Tue 18 Dec Man. City 0 - 2 Tottenham H. League Cup  
 Sun 09 Dec Tottenham H. 2 - 1 Man. City Premier League  
2006/2007 Sun 13 May Tottenham H. 2 - 1 Man. City Premiership  
 Sun 17 Dec Man. City 1 - 2 Tottenham H. Premiership  
2005/2006 Sat 08 Apr Tottenham H. 2 - 1 Man. City Premiership  
 Wed 04 Jan Man. City 0 - 2 Tottenham H. Premiership  
2004/2005 Sat 19 Mar Tottenham H. 2 - 1 Man. City Premiership  
 Sat 11 Dec Man. City 0 - 1 Tottenham H. Premiership  
2003/2004 Mon 12 Apr Tottenham H. 1 - 1 Man. City Premiership  
 Wed 04 Feb Tottenham H. 3 - 4 Man. City F.A. Cup  
 Sun 25 Jan Man. City 1 - 1 Tottenham H. F.A. Cup  
 Wed 03 Dec Tottenham H. 3 - 1 Man. City League Cup  
 Sun 28 Sep Man. City 0 - 0 Tottenham H. Premiership  
2002/2003 Fri 18 Apr Tottenham H. 0 - 2 Man. City Premiership  
 Mon 23 Dec Man. City 2 - 3 Tottenham H. Premiership  
2000/2001 Sat 10 Feb Man. City 0 - 1 Tottenham H. Premiership  
 Sat 23 Sep Tottenham H. 0 - 0 Man. City Premiership  
1995/1996 Sat 13 Jan Tottenham H. 1 - 0 Man. City Premiership  
 Sat 19 Aug Man. City 1 - 1 Tottenham H. Premiership  
1994/1995 Tue 11 Apr Tottenham H. 2 - 1 Man. City Premiership  
 Sat 22 Oct Man. City 5 - 2 Tottenham H. Premiership  
1993/1994 Sat 11 Dec Man. City 0 - 2 Tottenham H. Premiership  
 Sat 21 Aug Tottenham H. 1 - 0 Man. City Premiership  
1992/1993 Wed 24 Mar Tottenham H. 3 - 1 Man. City Premier League  
 Sun 07 Mar Man. City 2 - 4 Tottenham H. F.A. Cup  
 Sat 28 Nov Man. City 0 - 1 Tottenham H. Premier League  
 Wed 28 Oct Man. City 0 - 1 Tottenham H. League Cup  
1991/1992 Sat 01 Feb Man. City 1 - 0 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 19 Oct Tottenham H. 0 - 1 Man. City First Division  
1990/1991 Sat 15 Dec Man. City 2 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 25 Aug Tottenham H. 3 - 1 Man. City First Division  
1989/1990 Sat 13 Jan Tottenham H. 1 - 1 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 26 Aug Man. City 1 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
1986/1987 Wed 15 Apr Man. City 1 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 30 Aug Tottenham H. 1 - 0 Man. City First Division  
1985/1986 Sat 18 Jan Tottenham H. 0 - 2 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 31 Aug Man. City 2 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
1982/1983 Sat 05 Feb Man. City 2 - 2 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 11 Sep Tottenham H. 1 - 2 Man. City First Division  
1981/1982 Sat 20 Feb Tottenham H. 2 - 0 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 26 Sep Man. City 0 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
1980/1981 Sat 13 Dec Tottenham H. 2 - 1 Man. City First Division  
 Wed 22 Oct Man. City 3 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
1979/1980 Sat 12 Jan Man. City 1 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 01 Sep Tottenham H. 2 - 1 Man. City First Division  
1978/1979 Sat 03 Feb Tottenham H. 0 - 3 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 23 Sep Man. City 2 - 0 Tottenham H. First Division  
1976/1977 Sat 07 May Man. City 5 - 0 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 11 Dec Tottenham H. 2 - 2 Man. City First Division  
1975/1976 Sat 22 Nov Man. City 2 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 18 Oct Tottenham H. 2 - 2 Man. City First Division  
1974/1975 Wed 28 Aug Tottenham H. 1 - 2 Man. City First Division  
 Wed 21 Aug Man. City 1 - 0 Tottenham H. First Division  
1973/1974 Sat 02 Feb Man. City 0 - 0 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 15 Dec Tottenham H. 0 - 2 Man. City First Division  
1972/1973 Sat 10 Feb Tottenham H. 2 - 3 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 16 Sep Man. City 2 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
1971/1972 Sat 08 Jan Tottenham H. 1 - 1 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 28 Aug Man. City 4 - 0 Tottenham H. First Division  
1970/1971 Sat 01 May Man. City 0 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 26 Sep Tottenham H. 2 - 0 Man. City First Division  
1969/1970 Sat 13 Dec Man. City 1 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 13 Sep Tottenham H. 0 - 3 Man. City First Division  
1968/1969 Sat 14 Dec Tottenham H. 1 - 1 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 12 Oct Man. City 4 - 0 Tottenham H. First Division  
1967/1968 Sat 04 May Tottenham H. 1 - 3 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 09 Dec Man. City 4 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
1966/1967 Sat 25 Feb Tottenham H. 1 - 1 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 08 Oct Man. City 1 - 2 Tottenham H. First Division  
1962/1963 Sat 11 May Man. City 1 - 0 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 01 Sep Tottenham H. 4 - 2 Man. City First Division  
1961/1962 Sat 03 Mar Man. City 6 - 2 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 14 Oct Tottenham H. 2 - 0 Man. City First Division  
1960/1961 Sat 25 Feb Man. City 0 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Mon 10 Oct Tottenham H. 1 - 1 Man. City First Division  
1959/1960 Sat 16 Apr Tottenham H. 0 - 1 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 31 Oct Man. City 1 - 2 Tottenham H. First Division  
1958/1959 Sat 21 Mar Tottenham H. 3 - 1 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 01 Nov Man. City 5 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
1957/1958 Sat 08 Feb Tottenham H. 5 - 1 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 28 Sep Man. City 5 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
1956/1957 Wed 29 Aug Tottenham H. 3 - 2 Man. City First Division  
 Wed 22 Aug Man. City 2 - 2 Tottenham H. First Division  
1955/1956 Sat 24 Mar Tottenham H. 2 - 1 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 12 Nov Man. City 1 - 2 Tottenham H. First Division  
1954/1955 Sat 05 Mar Tottenham H. 2 - 2 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 11 Dec Man. City 0 - 0 Tottenham H. First Division  
1953/1954 Wed 17 Mar Man. City 4 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 24 Oct Tottenham H. 3 - 0 Man. City First Division  
1952/1953 Mon 01 Sep Tottenham H. 3 - 3 Man. City First Division  
 Wed 27 Aug Man. City 0 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
1951/1952 Sat 16 Feb Man. City 1 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 06 Oct Tottenham H. 1 - 2 Man. City First Division  
1946/1947 Sat 01 Feb Man. City 1 - 0 Tottenham H. Second Division  
 Sat 28 Sep Tottenham H. 0 - 0 Man. City Second Division  
1938/1939 Sat 11 Mar Tottenham H. 2 - 3 Man. City Second Division  
 Sat 05 Nov Man. City 2 - 0 Tottenham H. Second Division  
1934/1935 Sat 16 Mar Tottenham H. 0 - 0 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 03 Nov Man. City 3 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
1933/1934 Sat 14 Apr Tottenham H. 5 - 1 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 02 Dec Man. City 2 - 0 Tottenham H. First Division  
1925/1926 Sat 16 Jan Man. City 0 - 0 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 05 Sep Tottenham H. 1 - 0 Man. City First Division  
1924/1925 Sat 02 May Man. City 1 - 0 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Mon 10 Nov Tottenham H. 1 - 1 Man. City First Division  
1923/1924 Mon 21 Apr Tottenham H. 4 - 1 Man. City First Division  
 Tue 01 Jan Man. City 1 - 0 Tottenham H. First Division  
1922/1923 Wed 14 Mar Man. City 3 - 0 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 03 Mar Tottenham H. 3 - 1 Man. City First Division  
1921/1922 Sat 11 Feb Tottenham H. 3 - 1 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 04 Feb Man. City 3 - 3 Tottenham H. First Division  
1920/1921 Wed 09 Mar Man. City 2 - 0 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 12 Feb Tottenham H. 2 - 0 Man. City First Division  
1914/1915 Mon 15 Mar Tottenham H. 2 - 2 Man. City First Division  
 Sat 26 Sep Man. City 2 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
1913/1914 Sat 24 Jan Man. City 2 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Sat 27 Sep Tottenham H. 3 - 1 Man. City First Division  
1912/1913 Thu 26 Dec Tottenham H. 4 - 0 Man. City First Division  
 Wed 25 Dec Man. City 2 - 2 Tottenham H. First Division  
1911/1912 Mon 08 Apr Tottenham H. 0 - 2 Man. City First Division  
 Fri 05 Apr Man. City 2 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
1910/1911 Tue 03 Jan Man. City 2 - 1 Tottenham H. First Division  
 Tue 27 Dec Tottenham H. 1 - 1 Man. City First Division