Tottenham Hotspur against Manchester City

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Here is Adebayor, who scored eight in nine against Spurs for Arsenal, and he replaces Tevez.

Adebayor is being readied on the sidelines by Man City. Too little, too late?

Bale slaloms past Micah Richards but his drive into the box has halted. He has probably been Tottenham's best player today.

Giovani looks bright already, charging down a clearance from Hart. Can he open up this game?

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Giovani dos Santos, star of the World Cup, replaces Lennon. This man has a real point to prove having failed to impress so far at Spurs.

Lennon drives down the right wing, drifts inside and turns onto his left, before curling in a shot that Hart saves.

This game looks to be heating back up, will we avoid the first 0-0 draw of the new season?

Spurs break from a poor City corner and Modric slips the ball to Pavlyuchenko, who sees his shot saved by Hart. The 'keeper then denies the Russian striker again 30 seconds later.

Johnson is quickly into the action as he cuts inside and squares for Tevez who sees his shot deflected wide by King.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Spurs bring on Roman Pavlyuchenko and Robbie Keane for Defoe and Crouch. That's the whole frontline switched then.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Johnson, who played 90 minutes for England in midweek, replaces Wright-Phillips.

This game certainly needs an injection of class, as it has fizzled out somewhat. Here come the changes.

Adam Johnson is being readied on the sidelines. That will inject a bit of impetus for City, surely SWP will be coming off.

De Jong takes aim from range and sees his effort blocked, while Yaya flicks another ball over the top of the defence and Richards gets his head to it.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Pablo Zabaleta halts Aaron Lennon in full flight and it was a decision he had to take, as the winger would have easily outpaced him.

Despite their lack of historical success in the Premier League, City are going to be judged by exalted standards this season, their substantial outlay over the past 12 months dictates that. A such, this hasn't been a great day for Mancini, though they have improved in this second half.

It must be said, City are a bit perplexing at the moment. Tevez keeps popping up on the right wing which means SWP, all 3ft of him, is playing through the centre. It's not working in all honesty.

Silva fires in a cross from the left but Spurs clear with ease. City don't have a lot of presence up front with Adebayor on the bench. He has a very good record against Spurs and would be worth a punt, surely.

City look to have upped their efforts a touch and are enjoying a good slice of possession at present.

Yaya chips the ball into the box - he looks to favour that particular pass - and Silva attempts a volley that is blocked by his marker. Good imagination though.

Kolarov has been spotted on the bench with his favoured left foot in a box of ice. He is wincing.

A cross comes in from the right and Peter Crouch is penalised for a high foot when attempting an overhead kick, and connecting with the face of Wright-Phillips. You can't help but smile when little and large are next to each other on the pitch, can you?

We are hearing that Kolarov has taken a minor knock to the ankle, nothing serious.

SWP collects a ball over the top from Yaya and is through on goal with time and space! However, he takes ages to get a shot away and Assou-Ekotto puts in a vital challenge. That should have been 1-0.

<b>KICK OFF!</b> Man City get us back underway.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> It seems Mancini is replacing new signing Aleksandar Kolarov with Pablo Zabaleta. No word yet on whether that is an injury or a tactical switch.

So that is half-time and there is only one of these sides that looks capable of winning the title - and it isn't the one that has spent nearly £100m this summer. It is still a bit early to judge these kind of things of course.

Kompany is penalised for a foul on Lennon and the Spurs fans are baying for a second yellow, but there is none forthcoming.

Tevez tries an audacious effort from the right-hand side of the box but Assou-Ekotto blocks the Argentine's effort.

Tevez plays the ball square to Aleksandar Kolarov who unleashes a shot from range. He has the tendency to do that, as he demonstrated at Lazio, but this effort rolls well wide.

Yaya Toure has looked and tidy in possession while Silva has been bright, but City's new signnigs are yet to stamp their mark on this game. Mario Balotelli should be available for their next outing as well.

Carlos Tevez is playing very, very deep at present and City look to be struggling with their shape somewhat. Perhaps a target man like Emmanuel Adebayor would give them a bit more focus in the attacking third. They need it.

Yaya Toure weighs in with an effort from range but Heurelho Gomes is equal to it.

A sensational cross from Gareth Bale! He curls a fierce pass across the face of goal but there is no one there to convert. The Welshman finished the previous season in excellent form and has started the new one looking impressive too.

Bale shows great determination to chase back and dispossess the inattentive SWP. City have been very slack in possession. Perhaps Mancini will make changes at the break.

Replays of that Defoe chance show he escaped his markers far too easily from a long ball. That will not have impressed Mancini one bit.

Another big chance for Spurs! Defoe sees his shot bounce off Hart and Kolo Toure before rolling past the 'keeper, but he cannot get a clean second effort away with the goal at his mercy as he comes under pressure. City are holding on, just.

City charge up the other end and Yaya lets fly from the ede of the box, sending his effort well wide.

Luka Modric spreads the ball to Bale on the left of the box and the Welshman's superb low effort cannons off the post. Lennon tries to turn home the rebound but Kompany gets a block in. That was so close for Spurs.

Spurs appeal for a penalty following a messy challenge from Micah Richards on Bale in the box, but nothing is given.

Bale delivers a cross from the left and Defoe manages to poke a shot at goal, despite being under considerable pressure. Hart gets a toe to the ball though.

Silva sneaks the ball into Tevez in the box and Dawson attempts to cut the pass out, only succeeding in playing it into the path of the City striker. Tevez dallies too long on the ball though and can't get a shot away. A chance missed.

City have shifted to more of a 4-3-3 at the moment with Silva taking up residence on the right and SWP down the left. Did Mancini not watch the World Cup?? He was awful against USA down the left wing.

Gareth Bale takes the free-kick but Joe Hart gathers the ball easily at his near post.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> The first booking of the season goes to Vincent Kompany as he knocks into Jermain Defoe from behind.

David Silva showcases some of his talent when twisting and turning past his man, before producing a shot that is deflected off target. A bright moment from the summer signing from Valencia.

Fabio Capello is spotted in the stands at White Hart Lane. He will certainly have been impressed by his new No. 1.

Michael Dawson is almost the first recpient of a yellow card this season after clattering into Carlos Tevez, but he escapes punishment.

Once again the ball is cleared out to a Spurs man and Assou-Ekotto's effort is deflected. Once again, Hart does superbly to tip the ball wide. An excellent save.

City are under siege at the moment as Spurs win another corner.

Vicent Kompany throws himself in front of a low drive from Tom Huddlestone after the midfielder jinks past Gareth Barry. From the corner, the ball pops back out to the Hudd, who caresses a lovely volley at goal that forces Hart into a save. A classy effort.

Tottenham look a lot sharper so far, with Richards, De Jong and Toure all robbed off possession in the opening stages. City need to up their game at the moment.

The referee has a word with Nigel De Jong, who will probably be a marked man for officials following his antics in the World Cup final.

Roberto Mancini already looks stressed beyond belief on the bench. Cheer up Bobby, it's only the first day of the season.

That was an excellent save from Hart, as he stretched out his left arm to parry the shot. Shay Given may have been wincing on the bench.

Excellent chance for Tottenham! Crouch nods the ball down to Jermain Defoe who spins and attempts a first-time shot. Joe Hart produces a fantastic reaction save.

Now Bale delivers a free-kick from the left and Crouch gets his head to it, forcing Hart to tip the ball round the post. However, Crouch is harshly penalised for climbing on his marker.

Lennon wins a corner off Kolarov but Kolo Toure and De Jong combine to clear from Gareth Bale's delivery.

Yaya Toure dinks a clever ball into the box and Wright-Phillips controls with his head before attempting a left-footed volley that flies over the bar. Interesting effort.

Gareth Bale swings in a deep cross to the back post for Peter Crouch, but Hart is off his line decisively to claim the ball. That was confident from the 'keeper, who has the chance to nail down a first-team spot today.

Aaron Lennon dinks the ball over Aleksandar Kolarov and tries to escape from the new left back, but the City man recovers. That could be a good battle today. Kolarov has a lot to prove after costing a reported £19m from Lazio.

It appears as though City are going 4-4-1-1 with Silve floating in behind Tevez and SWP and Barry on the wings. Interesting.

Nigel de Jong commits the first foul of the afternoon, but it wasn't quite as bad as his karate kick on Xabi Alonso in the World Cup final.

The first chance of the afternoon falls to Peter Crouch but his effort from the edge of the box is blocked by Vincent Kompany. It is a quick start from Spurs.

<b>KICK OFF!</b> Tottenham get the new season underway, kicking right to left.

We are only minutes away from the start of the new Premier League, time to get excited...

Roberto Mancini says of his decision to leave Shay Given on the bench: "It was difficult." It might be even more difficult to keep him at the club as well now. Arsenal or Fulham could be in the chase.

For Spurs, meanwhile, it is a case of same old, same old. Their only new signing, Sandro, hasn't linked up with the squad yet so Harry's XI has a familiar look to it. Robbie Keane is back on the bench though after his loan at Celtic last season, while Giovani dos Santos is also back in the fold following his impressive World Cup.

City's midfield has a formidable look to it, with Yaya, Gareth Barry and Nigel De Jong forming a central three. Surprisingly, Shaun Wright-Phillips gets the chance to play on the wide of a front three, with Tevez and Silva.

With brother Yaya taking his place in midfield, City boast the best Mancunian sibling partnership since both the Nevilles patrolled Old Trafford.

City's team news is very interesting, with Joe Hart given the nod over Shay Given. Will the Irishman be looking to leave the club now? Meanwhile, Carlos Tevez is the surprise choice to captain the side despite last season's skipper Kolo Toure lining up in defence.

Manchester City have spent close to £100m this summer and three of their new signigs - Toure, Kolarov and Silva - start today. With such a wealth of talent at his disposal, Roberto Mancini will be expected to challenge at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp says he believes Spurs can do likewise.

The dawn of a new season is upon us, and what a game we have to get things started. The two teams that battled so hard for fourth place last season, with Spurs nicking it away from City, have higher aspirations this time around. Could a title challenge be on the cards?

Live comments will appear from 12.30 BST.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Pablo Zabaleta halts Aaron Lennon in full flight and it was a decision he had to take, as the winger would have easily outpaced him.

Despite their lack of historical success in the Premier League, City are going to be judged by exalted standards this season, their substantial outlay over the past 12 months dictates that. A such, this hasn't been a great day for Mancini, though they have improved in this second half.

It must be said, City are a bit perplexing at the moment. Tevez keeps popping up on the right wing which means SWP, all 3ft of him, is playing through the centre. It's not working in all honesty.

Silva fires in a cross from the left but Spurs clear with ease. City don't have a lot of presence up front with Adebayor on the bench. He has a very good record against Spurs and would be worth a punt, surely.

City look to have upped their efforts a touch and are enjoying a good slice of possession at present.

Yaya chips the ball into the box - he looks to favour that particular pass - and Silva attempts a volley that is blocked by his marker. Good imagination though.

Kolarov has been spotted on the bench with his favoured left foot in a box of ice. He is wincing.

A cross comes in from the right and Peter Crouch is penalised for a high foot when attempting an overhead kick, and connecting with the face of Wright-Phillips. You can't help but smile when little and large are next to each other on the pitch, can you?

We are hearing that Kolarov has taken a minor knock to the ankle, nothing serious.

SWP collects a ball over the top from Yaya and is through on goal with time and space! However, he takes ages to get a shot away and Assou-Ekotto puts in a vital challenge. That should have been 1-0.

<b>KICK OFF!</b> Man City get us back underway.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> It seems Mancini is replacing new signing Aleksandar Kolarov with Pablo Zabaleta. No word yet on whether that is an injury or a tactical switch.

So that is half-time and there is only one of these sides that looks capable of winning the title - and it isn't the one that has spent nearly £100m this summer. It is still a bit early to judge these kind of things of course.

Kompany is penalised for a foul on Lennon and the Spurs fans are baying for a second yellow, but there is none forthcoming.

Tevez tries an audacious effort from the right-hand side of the box but Assou-Ekotto blocks the Argentine's effort.

Tevez plays the ball square to Aleksandar Kolarov who unleashes a shot from range. He has the tendency to do that, as he demonstrated at Lazio, but this effort rolls well wide.

Yaya Toure has looked and tidy in possession while Silva has been bright, but City's new signnigs are yet to stamp their mark on this game. Mario Balotelli should be available for their next outing as well.

Carlos Tevez is playing very, very deep at present and City look to be struggling with their shape somewhat. Perhaps a target man like Emmanuel Adebayor would give them a bit more focus in the attacking third. They need it.

Yaya Toure weighs in with an effort from range but Heurelho Gomes is equal to it.

A sensational cross from Gareth Bale! He curls a fierce pass across the face of goal but there is no one there to convert. The Welshman finished the previous season in excellent form and has started the new one looking impressive too.

Bale shows great determination to chase back and dispossess the inattentive SWP. City have been very slack in possession. Perhaps Mancini will make changes at the break.

Replays of that Defoe chance show he escaped his markers far too easily from a long ball. That will not have impressed Mancini one bit.

Another big chance for Spurs! Defoe sees his shot bounce off Hart and Kolo Toure before rolling past the 'keeper, but he cannot get a clean second effort away with the goal at his mercy as he comes under pressure. City are holding on, just.

City charge up the other end and Yaya lets fly from the ede of the box, sending his effort well wide.

Luka Modric spreads the ball to Bale on the left of the box and the Welshman's superb low effort cannons off the post. Lennon tries to turn home the rebound but Kompany gets a block in. That was so close for Spurs.

Spurs appeal for a penalty following a messy challenge from Micah Richards on Bale in the box, but nothing is given.

Bale delivers a cross from the left and Defoe manages to poke a shot at goal, despite being under considerable pressure. Hart gets a toe to the ball though.

Silva sneaks the ball into Tevez in the box and Dawson attempts to cut the pass out, only succeeding in playing it into the path of the City striker. Tevez dallies too long on the ball though and can't get a shot away. A chance missed.

City have shifted to more of a 4-3-3 at the moment with Silva taking up residence on the right and SWP down the left. Did Mancini not watch the World Cup?? He was awful against USA down the left wing.

Gareth Bale takes the free-kick but Joe Hart gathers the ball easily at his near post.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> The first booking of the season goes to Vincent Kompany as he knocks into Jermain Defoe from behind.

David Silva showcases some of his talent when twisting and turning past his man, before producing a shot that is deflected off target. A bright moment from the summer signing from Valencia.

Fabio Capello is spotted in the stands at White Hart Lane. He will certainly have been impressed by his new No. 1.

Michael Dawson is almost the first recpient of a yellow card this season after clattering into Carlos Tevez, but he escapes punishment.

Once again the ball is cleared out to a Spurs man and Assou-Ekotto's effort is deflected. Once again, Hart does superbly to tip the ball wide. An excellent save.

City are under siege at the moment as Spurs win another corner.

Vicent Kompany throws himself in front of a low drive from Tom Huddlestone after the midfielder jinks past Gareth Barry. From the corner, the ball pops back out to the Hudd, who caresses a lovely volley at goal that forces Hart into a save. A classy effort.

Tottenham look a lot sharper so far, with Richards, De Jong and Toure all robbed off possession in the opening stages. City need to up their game at the moment.

The referee has a word with Nigel De Jong, who will probably be a marked man for officials following his antics in the World Cup final.

Roberto Mancini already looks stressed beyond belief on the bench. Cheer up Bobby, it's only the first day of the season.

That was an excellent save from Hart, as he stretched out his left arm to parry the shot. Shay Given may have been wincing on the bench.

Excellent chance for Tottenham! Crouch nods the ball down to Jermain Defoe who spins and attempts a first-time shot. Joe Hart produces a fantastic reaction save.

Now Bale delivers a free-kick from the left and Crouch gets his head to it, forcing Hart to tip the ball round the post. However, Crouch is harshly penalised for climbing on his marker.

Lennon wins a corner off Kolarov but Kolo Toure and De Jong combine to clear from Gareth Bale's delivery.

Yaya Toure dinks a clever ball into the box and Wright-Phillips controls with his head before attempting a left-footed volley that flies over the bar. Interesting effort.

Gareth Bale swings in a deep cross to the back post for Peter Crouch, but Hart is off his line decisively to claim the ball. That was confident from the 'keeper, who has the chance to nail down a first-team spot today.

Aaron Lennon dinks the ball over Aleksandar Kolarov and tries to escape from the new left back, but the City man recovers. That could be a good battle today. Kolarov has a lot to prove after costing a reported £19m from Lazio.

It appears as though City are going 4-4-1-1 with Silve floating in behind Tevez and SWP and Barry on the wings. Interesting.

Nigel de Jong commits the first foul of the afternoon, but it wasn't quite as bad as his karate kick on Xabi Alonso in the World Cup final.

The first chance of the afternoon falls to Peter Crouch but his effort from the edge of the box is blocked by Vincent Kompany. It is a quick start from Spurs.

<b>KICK OFF!</b> Tottenham get the new season underway, kicking right to left.

We are only minutes away from the start of the new Premier League, time to get excited...

Roberto Mancini says of his decision to leave Shay Given on the bench: "It was difficult." It might be even more difficult to keep him at the club as well now. Arsenal or Fulham could be in the chase.

For Spurs, meanwhile, it is a case of same old, same old. Their only new signing, Sandro, hasn't linked up with the squad yet so Harry's XI has a familiar look to it. Robbie Keane is back on the bench though after his loan at Celtic last season, while Giovani dos Santos is also back in the fold following his impressive World Cup.

City's midfield has a formidable look to it, with Yaya, Gareth Barry and Nigel De Jong forming a central three. Surprisingly, Shaun Wright-Phillips gets the chance to play on the wide of a front three, with Tevez and Silva.

With brother Yaya taking his place in midfield, City boast the best Mancunian sibling partnership since both the Nevilles patrolled Old Trafford.

City's team news is very interesting, with Joe Hart given the nod over Shay Given. Will the Irishman be looking to leave the club now? Meanwhile, Carlos Tevez is the surprise choice to captain the side despite last season's skipper Kolo Toure lining up in defence.

Manchester City have spent close to £100m this summer and three of their new signigs - Toure, Kolarov and Silva - start today. With such a wealth of talent at his disposal, Roberto Mancini will be expected to challenge at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp says he believes Spurs can do likewise.

The dawn of a new season is upon us, and what a game we have to get things started. The two teams that battled so hard for fourth place last season, with Spurs nicking it away from City, have higher aspirations this time around. Could a title challenge be on the cards?

Live comments will appear from 12.30 BST.