Possession
Possession
xG, big chances, touches and duels are ESPN's numbers; other sites' models can differ a little.
Possession
ESPN has no formation for this match, so here are the line-ups as a list.
That's it! City have a win, thanks to Nedum Onuoha! Thanks for your company....
City's fans break into a chorus of 'Blue Moon' for almost the first time today. They can smell the three points.
Nice one two between Sun Jihai and Caicedo, but the latter's shot is sliced well wide.
Three minutes of time added on.
Michael Dawson is now playing up front for Spurs!
Vassell works a good shooting chance inside the area but Robinson is down and saves well.
City's last change: Benjani - who has put in a very good shift - is replaced by Sun Jihai.
Bent does well to keep the ball in play, then win a corner. Five minutes left for Spurs to salvage something.
| # | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | +12 | 21 | |
| 2 |
Last 5 meetings
ESPN has no formation for this match, so here are the line-ups as a list.
Possession
Well, there we have it, the difference between two linesman's decisions is separating the side's. Ireland was just off but was given, Bent's was just on but was disallowed. Discuss.
Spurs have the ball in the net but the flag is up so Bent's goal won't count! Replays show that Spurs players were level as O'Hara swung in yet another free kick.
Bent looks for Zokora with a knock down but Dunne is there again.
Caicedo gives away another foul in an identical place but O'Hara's free kick is a little short this time and Dunne gets his big meaty forehead onto it.
Hart comes out to punch after the corner was nodded up into the air by Onuoha, then Hutton tries a volley which goes out for a throw in.
Berbatov hits a volley afer Dawson's knock down and despite it lacking power Hart has fumbled and stumbled and it goes behind for a corner.
O'Hara swings it in and Dunne gets in front of Woodgate to nod to safety.
Hutton is barged over by Caicedo and Spurs have a free kick on the right wing.
Bent rises well to flick on for Tom Huddlestone but although his shot is well struck, it is right at Hart.
Chance for Johnson! Vassell gets a ball in, Dawson's clearance bounces up off Ireland and the midfielder can quite hook his volley goalwards.
I wonder what Ramos will have to say to Keane after that outburst. He doesn't look like a manager you should mess with as far as I'm concerned.
City make another change, Elano is off and Felipe Caicedo is on.
Good on Darius Vassell. He came on, got straight on the ball and won a corner and hey presto, City lead. I think more questions will be asked about Robinson though. He could have at least stuck a hand out. He just stood there like a lump.
Onuohascores his first City goal and it is from an Elano corner. Vassell won it, Elano took it and the centre half has rocketed the ball into the net. It practically went above Robinson but it was moving so fast he never ever saw it.
GOAL! City are 2-1 up!
Another City change, Darius Vassell is coming on for Nery Castillo. You know, the one with no right foot.
we are still chuckling at Robbie Keane's episode from a few moments ago. He, he, it was a proper petulant rant and we loved every second of it.
The City fans cheer as Keane slams his training coat to the floor. He, he. His toys are EVRYWHERE.
Robbie Keane throws a bit of a strop as his number is put up by the fourth official. Darren Bent is on. O'Hara is on for Steed Malbranque too.
Corluka hits it back to Hart but under pressure from keane the keeper can only put the ball meekly out for a throw in.
A session of head tennis ensues in the City box before Benjani, of all people, gets in the way of a Huddlestone effort, then charges down Jenas's attempted cross.
My computer froze temporarily as I tried to impart that Spurs have a corner. They have another one too now.
Benjani deserves a special mention in terms of the goal. He's been ploughing a lone furrow for most of the game but has always been willing to chase down balls, get into the channels and generally make a nuisance of himself. Well done sir.
Ireland was about to be replaced as well! He might get ten more minutes now!
What a scrappy goal! The ball comes in from Benjani, Castillo shanks his volley, Johnson heads goalwards, Ireland scuffs it and it creeps in! He looked a yard offside for me.
GOAL! Ireland! City have scored!
Luckily for Jenas, the corner is dealth with by Spurs.
What is Jenas doing?! He's fired the ball back at Hutton, caught the full back off balance and out of nothing City have a corner.
Now Spurs venture into the opposition box but Malbranque can't collect a bouncing ball. Eventually Huddlestone hits it from range but Hart claims easily.
Its just not clicking for City up top at present. They've got into some good positions but the final ball or the finish has been lacking.
What is Castillo doing! If he had a functional right foot he'd have a hat trick by now. Benjani hits the byline and pulls it back but Castillo dawdles right in front of goal instead of whacking it right footed and Robinson makes a save. Rubbish!
Ooh, Berbatov had time and space to try and pick out Keane there but for once the two misunderstand each other and the chance is gone.
Cracking block from Woodgate as Benjani worked a shooting chance. That would certainly have troubled Robinson.
A lovely one touch move from City surprisingly breaks down with Elano. With options right and left he passes straight to Dawson.
Dunne clears the corner but Spurs regroup and work a nice crossing chance for Chimbonda down the right but his ball curls snugly into the outstretched arms of Joe Hart.
Spurs are at it early doors in this half - Alan Hutton has just won a corner down the right.
A change to tell you about; Tom Huddlestone is on for Aaron Lennon.
We're off again...
There is half time. Spurs just about deserved leaders but City had chances of their own. See you in 15 mins....
Oh Castillo, how horribly one footed you are! He is clean through int the right channel but tries to cut back on his left allowing Chimbonda to nick the ball away from him. They shouldn't allow one footed players in the Premier League.
Spurs will be delighted to go in one up at the break - if they can hang on.
Apparently, our wonderful gamecast system didn't publish my description of the goal, so, it went like this. Chimbonda beat Corluka to the ball, slipped a lovely pass into Keane who beat Hart with a left foot shot across the keeper and into the far corner. Super goal.
That's a bit too elaborate from Dawson, as he tries to spray the ball wide for Chimbonda, but over cooks it sending the ball out of play on the full.
Another good move from City. Castillo puts it wide for Elano, he looks for Garrido and Dawson clears for a corner, which comes to nowt.
Chimbonda has been right in the thick of it since the goal. He puts in a decent tackle on Benjani who was shuffling dangerously toward goal.
More pressure for City - a last gasp challenge from Chimbonda prevents Johnson from shooting before Elano fires one in left footed which Robinson parries from a narrow angle.
Now some city pressure. Elano and Ireland combine on the box edge but neither can find the right ball and Spurs can break. Keane tries a reverse pass for Berbatov but it is marginally overhit. they do link up well those two.
Awful finish from the heavily one-footed Castillo. Johnson's lovely ball inside Chimbonda set him free but he never looked comfortbale and squirts the ball wide.
More Spurs pressure as keane breaks away. The visitors move the ball around nicely but Chimbonda's final ball is poor - this time.
The upshot is City have a free kick but Elano's ball is poor.
Now goal scorer Keane and Elano are having a little nibble at each other. Ref Clattenberg tells them to stop it.
Corluka makes a blunder, half-heartedly challenging with Pascal Chimbonda, he then slips a lovely ball to Keane inside the area and from a tight angle Keane finishes left-footed into the far corner. Super goal.
GOAL! Spurs lead!
BERBATOV IN TRACKING BACK SHOCK! He loses the ball straight away though. Normality resumes...
Nice interchange between Lennon and Hutton - right back and right winger combining - but though the former Rangers man latches on to Lennon's flick, he is flagged for offside.
And what a scramble at the other end! Johnson is claiming a handball off Michael Dawson as his shot was blocked inside the area. Then an Elano cross is fizzed in and Robinson flaps before Dawson clears off the line. Its all going off!
Jenas does well to find Lennon and his cross eludes Berbatov.
Something's wrong with Stephen Ireland - he's been awful so far this afternoon.
Its a better one this time, although Joe Hart made it look a lot more dangerous by coming for it and not claiming. Dawson couldn't get a head on it though and the ball doesn't drop to a Spurs player. A let off for the young keeper.
Another chance for Jenas to swing in a free kick...
Well played Alan Hutton - he chases down Garrido near the corner flag and wins a goal kick.
I'm reliably informed (that's code for the commentator told me) that Spurs haven't lost to Man City in nine games - and they've won seven of those.
Sloppy play from Stephen Ireland. He dawdles not once but twice, allowing Hutton to snuff out City's counter attack.
Matthew Dawson seems intent on lumping every ball he gets down the middle of the pitch looking for the tiny head of Robbie Keane. Not clever.
A bit too elaborate there from City. Decent work in the box from Castillo but Elano fiddles with it too much and can't get a shot off.
Benjani can't make the most of being one on one versus Woodgate down the right. No-one was breaking from deep and Elano loses possession.
Robbie Keane chases down a long ball over the top from Dawson but Hart is alive to the threat and is out quickly to claim.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Jenas is a half decent link player - he can spot a decent pass, he makes good runs and more often than not delivers a decent ball but in front of goal he is a shambles, as that last effort proved.
Decent break from Spurs which breaks down with guess who? Jermaine Jenas. Berbatov switches play and Keane lays off for the midfielder but his shot makes the top tier.
Fernandes has brought down Hutton on the right and Jenas can try again. Johnson gets up well to clear though.
Tottenham: Robinson, Hutton, Woodgate, Dawson, Chimbonda, Lennon, Jenas, Zokora, Malbranque, Berbatov and Keane.
So, the teams. Man City: Hart, Corluka, Onuoha, Dunne, Garrido, Ireland, Gelson, Johnson, Castillo, Elano and Mwaruwari.
Jenas floats in an awful ball - straight into the arms of Harte.
Now Berba wins a free kick after a bit of rough and tumble from Richard Dunne.
At the other end Berbatov flashes one across the face of goal after lovely build up play. If the game carries on like this we're in for a decent afternoon...
Bright start to the game so far, City have profited for a few moves down the left and Woodgate does well to clear from Benjani there.
How ill spurs' UEFA Cup marathon in Holland on Thursday affect them I wonder? Everton have already showed signs of fatigue by getting done at Fulham. Oo-er.
I shall give you the teams in a second but we are already off and running...
Good afternoon all and welcome to Man City v Spurs.
| 7 |
| +6 |
| 18 |
| 3 | 7 | +18 | 16 |
| 4 | 7 | +4 | 13 |
| 5 | 7 | +1 | 12 |
| 6 | 7 | +5 | 10 |
| 7 | 7 | +3 | 10 |
| 8 | 7 | +1 | 10 |
| 9 | 7 | +1 | 9 |
| 10 | 7 | −4 | 9 |
| 11 | 7 | −4 | 8 |
| 12 | 7 | −4 | 8 |
| 13 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 14 | 7 | −8 | 7 |
| 15 | 7 | −4 | 6 |
| 16 | 7 | −4 | 6 |
| 17 | 7 | −8 | 6 |
| 18 | 7 | −3 | 5 |
| 19 | 7 | −4 | 5 |
| 20 | 7 | −8 | 4 |
Possession
xG, big chances, touches and duels are ESPN's numbers; other sites' models can differ a little.
That's it! City have a win, thanks to Nedum Onuoha! Thanks for your company....
City's fans break into a chorus of 'Blue Moon' for almost the first time today. They can smell the three points.
Nice one two between Sun Jihai and Caicedo, but the latter's shot is sliced well wide.
Three minutes of time added on.
Michael Dawson is now playing up front for Spurs!
Vassell works a good shooting chance inside the area but Robinson is down and saves well.
City's last change: Benjani - who has put in a very good shift - is replaced by Sun Jihai.
Bent does well to keep the ball in play, then win a corner. Five minutes left for Spurs to salvage something.
Well, there we have it, the difference between two linesman's decisions is separating the side's. Ireland was just off but was given, Bent's was just on but was disallowed. Discuss.
Spurs have the ball in the net but the flag is up so Bent's goal won't count! Replays show that Spurs players were level as O'Hara swung in yet another free kick.
Bent looks for Zokora with a knock down but Dunne is there again.
Caicedo gives away another foul in an identical place but O'Hara's free kick is a little short this time and Dunne gets his big meaty forehead onto it.
Hart comes out to punch after the corner was nodded up into the air by Onuoha, then Hutton tries a volley which goes out for a throw in.
Berbatov hits a volley afer Dawson's knock down and despite it lacking power Hart has fumbled and stumbled and it goes behind for a corner.
O'Hara swings it in and Dunne gets in front of Woodgate to nod to safety.
Hutton is barged over by Caicedo and Spurs have a free kick on the right wing.
Bent rises well to flick on for Tom Huddlestone but although his shot is well struck, it is right at Hart.
Chance for Johnson! Vassell gets a ball in, Dawson's clearance bounces up off Ireland and the midfielder can quite hook his volley goalwards.
I wonder what Ramos will have to say to Keane after that outburst. He doesn't look like a manager you should mess with as far as I'm concerned.
City make another change, Elano is off and Felipe Caicedo is on.
Good on Darius Vassell. He came on, got straight on the ball and won a corner and hey presto, City lead. I think more questions will be asked about Robinson though. He could have at least stuck a hand out. He just stood there like a lump.
Onuohascores his first City goal and it is from an Elano corner. Vassell won it, Elano took it and the centre half has rocketed the ball into the net. It practically went above Robinson but it was moving so fast he never ever saw it.
GOAL! City are 2-1 up!
Another City change, Darius Vassell is coming on for Nery Castillo. You know, the one with no right foot.
we are still chuckling at Robbie Keane's episode from a few moments ago. He, he, it was a proper petulant rant and we loved every second of it.
The City fans cheer as Keane slams his training coat to the floor. He, he. His toys are EVRYWHERE.
Robbie Keane throws a bit of a strop as his number is put up by the fourth official. Darren Bent is on. O'Hara is on for Steed Malbranque too.
Corluka hits it back to Hart but under pressure from keane the keeper can only put the ball meekly out for a throw in.
A session of head tennis ensues in the City box before Benjani, of all people, gets in the way of a Huddlestone effort, then charges down Jenas's attempted cross.
My computer froze temporarily as I tried to impart that Spurs have a corner. They have another one too now.
Benjani deserves a special mention in terms of the goal. He's been ploughing a lone furrow for most of the game but has always been willing to chase down balls, get into the channels and generally make a nuisance of himself. Well done sir.
Ireland was about to be replaced as well! He might get ten more minutes now!
What a scrappy goal! The ball comes in from Benjani, Castillo shanks his volley, Johnson heads goalwards, Ireland scuffs it and it creeps in! He looked a yard offside for me.
GOAL! Ireland! City have scored!
Luckily for Jenas, the corner is dealth with by Spurs.
What is Jenas doing?! He's fired the ball back at Hutton, caught the full back off balance and out of nothing City have a corner.
Now Spurs venture into the opposition box but Malbranque can't collect a bouncing ball. Eventually Huddlestone hits it from range but Hart claims easily.
Its just not clicking for City up top at present. They've got into some good positions but the final ball or the finish has been lacking.
What is Castillo doing! If he had a functional right foot he'd have a hat trick by now. Benjani hits the byline and pulls it back but Castillo dawdles right in front of goal instead of whacking it right footed and Robinson makes a save. Rubbish!
Ooh, Berbatov had time and space to try and pick out Keane there but for once the two misunderstand each other and the chance is gone.
Cracking block from Woodgate as Benjani worked a shooting chance. That would certainly have troubled Robinson.
A lovely one touch move from City surprisingly breaks down with Elano. With options right and left he passes straight to Dawson.
Dunne clears the corner but Spurs regroup and work a nice crossing chance for Chimbonda down the right but his ball curls snugly into the outstretched arms of Joe Hart.
Spurs are at it early doors in this half - Alan Hutton has just won a corner down the right.
A change to tell you about; Tom Huddlestone is on for Aaron Lennon.
We're off again...
There is half time. Spurs just about deserved leaders but City had chances of their own. See you in 15 mins....
Oh Castillo, how horribly one footed you are! He is clean through int the right channel but tries to cut back on his left allowing Chimbonda to nick the ball away from him. They shouldn't allow one footed players in the Premier League.
Spurs will be delighted to go in one up at the break - if they can hang on.
Apparently, our wonderful gamecast system didn't publish my description of the goal, so, it went like this. Chimbonda beat Corluka to the ball, slipped a lovely pass into Keane who beat Hart with a left foot shot across the keeper and into the far corner. Super goal.
That's a bit too elaborate from Dawson, as he tries to spray the ball wide for Chimbonda, but over cooks it sending the ball out of play on the full.
Another good move from City. Castillo puts it wide for Elano, he looks for Garrido and Dawson clears for a corner, which comes to nowt.
Chimbonda has been right in the thick of it since the goal. He puts in a decent tackle on Benjani who was shuffling dangerously toward goal.
More pressure for City - a last gasp challenge from Chimbonda prevents Johnson from shooting before Elano fires one in left footed which Robinson parries from a narrow angle.
Now some city pressure. Elano and Ireland combine on the box edge but neither can find the right ball and Spurs can break. Keane tries a reverse pass for Berbatov but it is marginally overhit. they do link up well those two.
Awful finish from the heavily one-footed Castillo. Johnson's lovely ball inside Chimbonda set him free but he never looked comfortbale and squirts the ball wide.
More Spurs pressure as keane breaks away. The visitors move the ball around nicely but Chimbonda's final ball is poor - this time.
The upshot is City have a free kick but Elano's ball is poor.
Now goal scorer Keane and Elano are having a little nibble at each other. Ref Clattenberg tells them to stop it.
Corluka makes a blunder, half-heartedly challenging with Pascal Chimbonda, he then slips a lovely ball to Keane inside the area and from a tight angle Keane finishes left-footed into the far corner. Super goal.
GOAL! Spurs lead!
BERBATOV IN TRACKING BACK SHOCK! He loses the ball straight away though. Normality resumes...
Nice interchange between Lennon and Hutton - right back and right winger combining - but though the former Rangers man latches on to Lennon's flick, he is flagged for offside.
And what a scramble at the other end! Johnson is claiming a handball off Michael Dawson as his shot was blocked inside the area. Then an Elano cross is fizzed in and Robinson flaps before Dawson clears off the line. Its all going off!
Jenas does well to find Lennon and his cross eludes Berbatov.
Something's wrong with Stephen Ireland - he's been awful so far this afternoon.
Its a better one this time, although Joe Hart made it look a lot more dangerous by coming for it and not claiming. Dawson couldn't get a head on it though and the ball doesn't drop to a Spurs player. A let off for the young keeper.
Another chance for Jenas to swing in a free kick...
Well played Alan Hutton - he chases down Garrido near the corner flag and wins a goal kick.
I'm reliably informed (that's code for the commentator told me) that Spurs haven't lost to Man City in nine games - and they've won seven of those.
Sloppy play from Stephen Ireland. He dawdles not once but twice, allowing Hutton to snuff out City's counter attack.
Matthew Dawson seems intent on lumping every ball he gets down the middle of the pitch looking for the tiny head of Robbie Keane. Not clever.
A bit too elaborate there from City. Decent work in the box from Castillo but Elano fiddles with it too much and can't get a shot off.
Benjani can't make the most of being one on one versus Woodgate down the right. No-one was breaking from deep and Elano loses possession.
Robbie Keane chases down a long ball over the top from Dawson but Hart is alive to the threat and is out quickly to claim.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Jenas is a half decent link player - he can spot a decent pass, he makes good runs and more often than not delivers a decent ball but in front of goal he is a shambles, as that last effort proved.
Decent break from Spurs which breaks down with guess who? Jermaine Jenas. Berbatov switches play and Keane lays off for the midfielder but his shot makes the top tier.
Fernandes has brought down Hutton on the right and Jenas can try again. Johnson gets up well to clear though.
Tottenham: Robinson, Hutton, Woodgate, Dawson, Chimbonda, Lennon, Jenas, Zokora, Malbranque, Berbatov and Keane.
So, the teams. Man City: Hart, Corluka, Onuoha, Dunne, Garrido, Ireland, Gelson, Johnson, Castillo, Elano and Mwaruwari.
Jenas floats in an awful ball - straight into the arms of Harte.
Now Berba wins a free kick after a bit of rough and tumble from Richard Dunne.
At the other end Berbatov flashes one across the face of goal after lovely build up play. If the game carries on like this we're in for a decent afternoon...
Bright start to the game so far, City have profited for a few moves down the left and Woodgate does well to clear from Benjani there.
How ill spurs' UEFA Cup marathon in Holland on Thursday affect them I wonder? Everton have already showed signs of fatigue by getting done at Fulham. Oo-er.
I shall give you the teams in a second but we are already off and running...
Good afternoon all and welcome to Man City v Spurs.
| 7 |
| +6 |
| 18 |
| 3 | 7 | +18 | 16 |
| 4 | 7 | +4 | 13 |
| 5 | 7 | +1 | 12 |
| 6 | 7 | +5 | 10 |
| 7 | 7 | +3 | 10 |
| 8 | 7 | +1 | 10 |
| 16 | 7 | −4 | 6 |