Spurs dominated but a moment of quality by Sergio Aguero won the game for City in the first half to end their run of four away games without a win.
Aguero consolidated his place as this season’s league top scorer in the process.
Tottenham Hotspur
Hugo Lloris – 6: A solid game from Spurs’ ever-solid keeper. Only mishap occurred when he came for a loose ball and slipped which allowed Aguero in. Fortunately for Spurs, on this occasion the Argentine missed. Nothing he could have done to prevent City’s goal.
Eric Dier – 7: Starting again at right-back for the injured Kyle Walker and had a good game. Had the first chance of the match
with a glancing header from a Lamela corner. Solid defensively as well as dangerous in the attack.
Federico Fazio – 6: Solid game. Was not at fault for any of the goals but responsible for a few misplaced passes.
Jan Vertonghen – 7: A good game by arguably Tottenham’s best centre-back. Has been in some great form these past few matches.
Danny Rose – 7.5: One of Tottenham’s best performers this season and back into the side after missing the draw with Southampton. A very good game attacking and defensive-wise.
Nabil Bentaleb – 6: Calm in possession as always. A decent, if not unspectacular game. Picked up a yellow card.
Ryan Mason – 6: Looked to keep the play moving forward as he usually does. He went about his business quietly and effectively. Also picked up a yellow card and was replaced by Paulinho after 70 minutes.
Erik Lamela – 8: Spurs’ best performer on the day. Created six chances, the most of any player on the pitch. He also pressed and hustled City’s players all match. If he can consistently turn in performances like this, he will go a long way to repay the record transfer fee Spurs paid for him.
Christian Eriksen – 6: The Dane was not at his peak today but still tried to influence proceedings. Not a terrible game but nothing outstanding.
Nacer Chadli – 5.5: An anonymous outing. One shot all game and a meagre 73% pass accuracy. Has had some good performances this season, but this was not one.
Harry Kane – 6: On another day, Kane may have had a hat-trick, or more. His biggest chance came in the opening five minutes when Lamela played him in behind City’s defence. He was 1 v 1 with Joe Hart and nine times out of ten this season he would have scored but he shot wide. Was not allowed any space to breathe by Demichelis.
Substitutes
Roberto Soldado – 6.5: Replaced Eriksen after an hour. He provided good foil for Kane as Spurs searched for an equaliser and he nearly got it, had his sweetly-struck volley not been blocked by Kolarov.
Paulinho – 6: Came on for Mason after 70 minutes and provided energy in the middle of the park. He tried to make things happen and attempted a fair number of balls to get behind City’s defence.
Emmanuel Adebayor – N/A: His first appearance since Spurs’ loss to Manchester United. He only lasted six minutes.
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Manchester City
Joe Hart – 9: City and England’s number one had a great game. It was his brilliant throw to find Silva that started the counter-attack from which City scored. He also did brilliantly to keep out efforts from Mason and Kane. Man of the match.
Pablo Zabaleta – 6: Solid defensively and supported the attack as well as he could.
Martin Demichelis – 6: Not a bad game from the Argentine. Kept Kane quiet which is no easy feat.
Eliaquim Mangala – 5.5: His struggles in English football continue. Was responsible for some of the chances Spurs had early in the match, particularly when Kane broke free to be one on one with Hart. Needs a refocus over the summer and improve next season.
Aleksandar Kolarov – 6: Like Zabaleta, the Serbian had a good game in an attacking sense and defensively. Forced Lloris into a brilliant save with a great shot.
Fernando – 6: Solid in the centre of the park and prevented Spurs from controlling the midfield.
Fernandinho – 6: Like Fernando, was solid and restricted Spurs from causing more problems than they already did. Also had a chance to put City further ahead when Silva laid him off on the edge of the box but the Brazilian’s shot was wide.
David Silva – 7: Was City’s main source of creativity throughout. Created chances for his teammates as well as providing the all-important assist. Good game from the Spaniard.
Frank Lampard – 5: Tried to get in the box as he usually does but failed to impact the game. Was replaced by Nasri.
James Milner – 6: A rare start for the former Villa player. Had a job to try to stop Rose from bombing forward. Hard working as usual.
Sergio Aguero – 9: Went further ahead in the race for the Golden Boot with his brilliant finish in the first half. Could have extended his tally with further chances later on, particularly with a well-timed volley. Won the battle of the in-form strikers.
https://youtu.be/uM13q5nDt5o
Substitutes
Samir Nasri – N/A: Lasted three minutes after coming on due to injury.
Wilfried Bony – 6: Replaced Nasri with 15 minutes to go.
Dedryck Boyata – N/A: Came on after 89 minutes to run down the time.
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