City v Spurs Jan 2012

This turned out to be an incredible game in many ways. After a tactical first half battle that ended without a goal and with neither keeper having much to do the game suddenly came to life and when City went two up through a good Nasri effort and a Lescott close range slide in it looked like Spurs were in for a hiding similar to the one at White Hart Lane. However a fatal error by young Savic put Spurs back in the match and when a wonder goal by Gareth Bale from outside the area made it two all it was anybodies game.
Another defensive error by Savic late in the game almost gifted the result to Spurs but somehow Defoe missed the chance and as the match moved into the 94th minute it looked like we would have to be content with a draw. However luck was with City today and with only seconds left Balotelli was brought down in the penalty area by King and referee Howard Webb had the bottle to award a penalty. Balotelli himself took the kick and with great aplomb he stroked the ball past Friedel and the match was won. Mario was coolness personified as City preserved their three point lead at the top of the Premiership in front of the largest crowd of the season so far.
Despite his crucial errors Savic does his best as stand-in for the suspended Kompany though I am sure the manager must be tempted into bringing in Zabaleta to right back and trying Richards at centre back. However we would miss the attacking flair of stand-in skipper Richards down the right flank. Nasri scored an excellent goal taking a great pass from Silva the mid-field master. Barry and Milner worked hard but we do miss Yaya Toure. Dzeko could not repeat his triumph of White Hart Lane and he was once again off target a few times. Aguero worked hard and had one good effort saved by Friedel so all in all a good team effort against a strong Spurs side.

Both teams had strong sides out for this important game. Balotelli was on the bench having recovered from injury. Dzeko and Aguero were the strikers supported by Nasri and Silva. Clichy was at left back and Richards led the team out

Lennon was a little late for the pre-kickoff chat

Savic clears from Bale

Richards and Savic keep an eye on danger man Bale

Silva was starting to work his magic early on

Aguero was as busy as ever and had an early shot blocked by King

A good run down the left wing by Silva gave City another chance but the ball was put wide by Dzeko from a good position

On 25 minutes an effort by Silva goes wide of the far post

Dzeko leaps over Friedel as he grabs a loose ball

After 30 minutes Aguero had another chance ......

....and his shot looked very good .....

..... only for Friedel to make a great save from the Argentinean

Dzeko tried hard but when half time came we had yet to see a goal

Early in the second half Friedel was soon in action

Richards attacks down the right and a corner is forced

Freidel punches clear at a corner

Aguero is fouled by Parker who gets a yellow card

Freidel punches clear the free kick taken by Silva

Then on 55 minutes Silva put a great pass through to Nasri

... who hit the ball first time past the keeper to give City the lead

Nasri and his team mates and crowd celebrate

This was just what the City family wanted - a goal at last

A dangerous Silva cross is blocked for a corner

From the Silva corner Dzeko headed backwards and somehow Lescott managed to get the ball over the line to give City a two goal lead

So after 58 minutes City were ahead and looking good so all that is required now was a bit of concentration - ah well you know City.....

A long ball down the middle was misjudged by Savic and Defoe was away with only Hart to beat.
Oh dear 2-1

Spurs manage to clear a City corner

After 64 minutes Lennon passed the ball to Bale.....

.........who swept the ball magnificently into the top corner with Hart well beaten Two all and the visiting supporters were jubilant.

Modric shoots well wide

Balotelli came on 65 minutes for Dzeko

Balotelli jumps over Freidel

Lennon attacks down the wing while Kaboul lies injured

Balotelli gets a yellow card for a poor challenge on Assou-Ekotto

Balotelli tries to power his way through the Spurs defence

On 83 minutes we had a controversial moment. A Balotelli shot was blocked by Parkers face and when he went down it looked like Mario accidentally trod on Parker.

The media are making the most of the incident as it is Balotelli. The referee was very near the incident and saw nothing wrong - but endless slo-mo replays of the last portion of the incident are giving it a very negative slant as it wa Balotelli involved. I bet if it had been Silva nothing would have come of it!

King gives Mario a hug!

City had a narrow escape one minute into extra time when cross from Bale....

...was missed by Defoe who had an open goal. What a costly miss for Spurs

Then as the last seconds ticked away Balotelli - who else- made a run into the penalty area and was brought down by King

A penalty was the decision of referee Webb

Mario scores and City win 3-2 with almost the last kick of the game

The officials shake hands at the end of a super Premier League game