Manchester City 2 Tottenham 3

Glenn Hoddle criticised Christian Ziege for his late sending off which left ten-man Tottenham holding on for victory at Manchester City.

The German was sent off for two bookings - both for needlessly kicking the ball away to waste time - to leave the Spurs manager irate.

Hoddle said: "If Christian had not done it we would have had eleven against eleven and I would not have had my heart in my mouth at the end.

"Players have to take responsibility, although referees should show it too. But Christian did it twice and rules are rules."

City manager Kevin Keegan was left to reflect on what might have been as his side failed to capitalise on their early dominance.

They had enough chances to have victory sealed in the opening half-hour but all they had to show for their efforts was a header from Steve Howey.

"We could have blown them away in the first half-hour but needed a second goal," Keegan said.

"And in the end they killed us off because we didn't kill them off.

"Spurs have some very good players who are more street-wise in the Premiership, and it is something we can learn from."

Spurs certainly rode their luck but hit back in devastating style with goals either side of half time from Chris Perry and Simon Davies, both with un-opposed far post headers, as they suddenly seized control.

When Eyal Berkovic hit an upright in the latter stages it was clearly destined not to be City's night.

And that was emphasised moments later when Spurs substitute Gus Poyet made it 3-1 with a spectacular header, miraculously diving backwards to convert a corner from Ziege.

But City's never-say-die spirit was rewarded when substitute Ali Benarbia curled in a spectacular second in stoppage time to set up an anxious finish as City launched a series of raids in a last-ditch effort to avoid a fourth home league defeat of the season.