Tottenham Hotspur 0
Manchester City have beaten Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium this morning to clinch their place in the Champions League next season.
Almost a year to the day that Peter Crouch scored the only goal of the game to help Tottenham break the 'Big Four' stranglehold of the Premier League at Manchester City's expense, he scored again at Eastlands this morning but this time at the wrong end of the pitch.
English Premier League table
Spurs had beaten City 11 times in their last 13 league meetings. However, City continued their formidable home form, where they have lost only twice in all competitions since that defeat by Spurs on 5 May last year.
City dominated the early stages of a high-tempo first half, pressuring the visitors all over the pitch. Tottenham, without the injured Gareth Bale, did well to press City but lacked the PFA Player of the Year's pace down the left-hand side.
A sliding Sandro challenge on Adam Johnson in the eighth minute led to the first real chance of the game. Michael Dawson's heavy touch laid the ball off for Yaya Toure, who dragged wide of Cudicini's right-hand post.
Moments later, Joleon Lescott lofted the ball forward to Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian flicked on to David Silva and received a magnificent cut-back, but could only blast straight at Cudicini from 12 yards.
The home side appealed for a penalty six minutes later. James Milner collapsed under a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge from Dawson, but referee Mike Dean, who has awarded 40 penalties in the last three years, waved away City appeals.
Luka Modric had an excellent chance to put Tottenham ahead on 27 minutes. Aaron Lennon raced down the line and slid the ball across the 18-yard box. Modric was unmarked but pulled his shot wide of goal.
Spurs were made to pay for that miss on the half-hour mark. A short corner for City resulted in an arrowed cross from James Milner. Peter Crouch, who stole the show last year in the corresponding match, could only poke into his own net to send City 1-0 up.
The second half started at a similarly frenetic pace to the first. Aaron Lennon's cross on 46 minutes was met by a powerful Steven Pienaar header, which Joe Hart did exceptionally well to keep out. The England goalkeeper dived to his left and got a strong hand to the ball to palm it away.
Spurs continued to carve out opportunities. But Roberto Macini's side, almost encamped in their own half for much of the second period, remained resolute in defence.
The introduction of Patrick Vieira freed up Yaya Toure to spring City counter-attacks. When City did break, David Silva was presented with a golden opportunity to double the lead. Toure's lay-off across the box was missed by Silva, who slipped as the ball arrived.
With three minutes remaining, Manchester City looked certain to score a second when Toure lifted the ball over Cudicini. But William Gallas, who was about to be replaced, somehow managed to head clear off the line.
Tottenham continued to attack in stoppage time, but City held firm to secure qualification to next season's Champions League competition.
- HERALD ONLINE
