Manchester City vs. Tottenham: Report.

A party that finally wasn't spoilt by something small.

So there we have it. The teams that will finish in the top four places in the Premier League this season have been confirmed; Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City will all represent England in the Champions League next season at some point or other in the competition. However, the teams in the top 4 places haven't got their league positions completely sorted out. Chelsea, currently in second, could finish as low as fourth, and Manchester City, in fourth, could finish as high as second.

Manchester City went into the game against Spurs on Tuesday wanting to avenge the painful defeat from last season - when Peter Crouch secured Champions League qualification for Tottenham in front of City's fans. The Blues knew that a win in their last three games would take them to Europe's greatest heights for the first time in over forty years, but with an FA Cup Final coming soon, the City players - and Roberto Mancini - wanted to get this over and done with.


The match.


City and Spurs both started comfortably, but it was Manchester City who made the first clear cut opening. Dzeko won the ball in the air to flick it on for the overlapping David Silva. Silva, instead of opting to shoot, pulled it back to the Bosnian striker who stood 10 yards out. Dzeko fired his shot low and hard, but straight and Spurs' stand-in 'keeper Carlo Cudicini.

Spurs then had their first big opportunity of the game, when Joe Hart's long ball forward from the goal-kick came all the way back to him after Tottenham had regained possession. Lennon danced forward and cut it back for Luka Modric who was in acres of space 18 yards out. The Croatian went for the bottom corner, but could only find the advertising board behind the goal. His shot had Joe Hart scrambling hopelessly, and Modric appealed to a higher authority as the City goal-kick was readied.

However, seconds later, Micah Richards saw he was short of options, but managed to make a bursting run down the right-hand-side. He played a slow ball to City winger Adam Johnson, whose run was blocked off by Spurs' left-back Danny Rose. The ball deflected wide for a City corner, and Milner went over to take...

... Milner's alert vision found Adam Johnson in space, and he cut a reverse ball to Milner who managed to break into the area and fire a low ball across the goalmouth. And rather ironically, Peter Crouch stuck out a long leg to try and block the ball; but in his desperate attempts to stop a goal, the deflection off his foot eluded his goalkeeper and hit the back of the net.

City went wild; as a club, as a family. Was the dream finally going to come true? It very nearly became more and more real as David Silva fired a wicked shot inches over the crossbar!


The second half.


Spurs made an incredibly bright start to the second period, with Stephen Pienaar's header forcing City 'keeper Joe Hart into a magnificent save to keep the game at 1-0. Hart changed his direction mid-save and dived low to his left to tip the ball away.

City then had two huge chances to secure the points in the last 15 minutes. Patrick Vieira was released - by City sub Carlos Tevez - into the area. His chip over Cudicini looked destined to sink his old rivals to defeat, but his former Arsenal team-mate William Gallas came from nowhere to block it on the line.

And in the dying seconds Carlos Tevez was released by a Lescott clearance. Tevez controlled the ball and danced around the two defenders that had come back to stop him. He fired his shot above the desperate Carlo Cudicini, but the former Chelsea goalkeeper defied City's returning talisman a heroes' return with a stunning left-handed block that he managed to keep in play after the ball had bounced away from danger.

But at that moment the final whistle rung around Eastlands, and it was followed by a cheer. Manchester City had done it! They'd really, really, really done it!

City will be playing Champions League football next season. Whether it is for two games in the qualifiers or more, Europe's biggest teams will be playing on the City of Manchester Stadium's pitch. And is it a good time to mention that City have a 100% record against Barcelona in the last 8 years?



Player ratings

Hart 8 - an excellent save that eventually gave Manchester City the win.

Richards 9 - one of his best games in a Manchester City shirt.

Kompany 8 - back to his commanding self.

Lescott 8 - back to his recent best.

Zabaleta 7 - good performance against one of England's best wingers. Until his nose was split by the long arm of the Crouch.

de Jong 7 - good in midfield, kept Sandro quiet for most of the game.

Yaya Touré 6 - incredibly quiet and tired after 70 minutes.

Milner 8 - another impressive performance. His cross lead to the goal.

Silva 8 - impish, quick and decisive. Managed to get into good positions. Wasn't happy at being substituted.

Dzeko 6 - should have done better with his big chance to score. Looked better when Tevez was introduced.

Johnson 6 - started well but faded quickly.


Kolarov 6 - nothing to do, did enough.

Vieira 7 - steadied the ship and almost scored at the end.

Tevez 7 - his return was well worth the wait. Another player that steadied the ship.