Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur
| Team | 1H | 2H | T |
|---|---|---|---|
 MNC | 0 | 3 | 3 |
 TOT | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Who won: Man City 3-2
Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at Etihad Stadium. Goals for Man City: Samir Nasri (56'), Joleon Lescott (59') and Mario Balotelli (90'+5' pen). Goals for Spurs: Jermain Defoe (60') and Gareth Bale (65').
Play by play
"[There was] no pressure, I was calm. It was a penalty" - Mario Balotelli, post-match.
"This a massive win. We knew it'd be a tough game and they're a very exciting team" - James Milner, post-match.
There's no doubt about it - that's the sort of incident and result that can win a side the league title, and City now look more than likely than ever to do so.
Very hard not to feel sorry for King there. Given the way Spurs fought back, and almost went ahead, they deserved better. But City were very clinical and showed great determination to eventually win.
- 94'
<b>Full-time! Manchester City 3-2 Tottenham Hotspur</b>
- 94'
Seems very, very cruel on Tottenham and King, given their comeback. Friedel dived the right way but it was a very composed penalty from Balotelli. That's the win, there's not enough time for Tottenham to score.
- 94'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Manchester City 3-2 Tottenham!
- 94'
Balotelli to take the penalty. This will decide the result...
- 94'
King fouls Balotelli in the penalty area! Can't argue with the decision, and it's the one mistake King's made all afternoon...
- 93'
Last minute penalty to Manchester City!!!
- 92'
Defoe fires just wide! What a miss! Spurs broke through Bale and the Welshman sets Defoe up for a tap in but the striker just fails to connect as he'd wish and the ball runs wide. So close! Bale should have played the ball sooner, in truth. but the perhaps the game's not yet over
- 91'
Assou-Ekotto caught offside. City with the chance to launch the ball forward...
- 90'
Spurs obviously playing for the draw now. Though City continue to play with urgency, Spurs arec currently just looking to keep the ball and run the clock down.
- 88'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Lennon off, Pienaar on...
- 87'
And instead slow the ball down, happy to keep possession and, apparently, play for a draw.
- 86'
Balotelli's shot blocked and Friedel collects. Spurs look to counter...
- 85'
Balotelli on the flour again - taking some time to get up. Even as a substitute he seems capable of stealing the show.
- 84'
Both teams still looking to be positive in possession and hoping to grab a late winner...
- 82'
Balotelli next to foul Parker - looked like a deliberate stamp on the head there, Parker's naturally in some discomfort.
- 81'
Barry warned for a foul on Parker. Wasn't a definite free-kick but Spurs will take it.
- 80'
Good 'keeping again, from Friedel. Reacted to the deflected shot from Nasri by keeping the ball in and preventing a corner.
- 79'
Well defended there from Assou-Ekotto on Nasri. Spurs throw-in.
- 76'
Friedel collects well again, with Balotelli chasing. His positioning has been superb day, all of his experience showing.
- 75'
Goal-kick to Spurs. City appeal for the corner because the last touch came off Walker's head but the referee didn't see it.
- 74'
Mancini will clearly hope Balotelli can create more danger than Dzeko has, all afternoon. Dzeko's still an enigma, despite being in England for a year now.
