NINE-MAN Manchester City slipped to a third consecutive Premier League defeat against Tottenham at a rain-soaked Eastlands.

Brazilian star Robinho scored his eighth Blues goal after 16 minutes but 10 minutes later Gelson Fernandes was sent off for a second yellow card.

Tottenham were soon back on level terms when Darren Bent struck, and the forward scored the winner after 64 minutes.

City's misery was compounded late on when Richard Dunne was sent off for a professional foul on Bent, and although Benoit Assou-Ekotto was sent off for Spurs late on, the Blues could not find an equaliser.

The Blues were on top early on and Robinho, who scored a cracker against FC Twente on Thursday, was on target again.

He scored from close range, after Darius Vassell’s effort had been parried - with Shaun Wright-Phillips also playing a part in a swift counter-attack.

However, the match took a significant twist in the 26th minute when Fernandes was sent off for two bookable offences - the first on Modric, the second on Bentley.

Influential

Modric almost pulled Spurs level two minutes later, only to be denied by a splendid block from Joe Hart, but the visitors did not have long to wait for the equaliser, however, Bent providing an assured finish in the 29th minute.

He gave Hart no chance after defender Dunne had failed to cut out a long ball from the influential Modric.

Dunne almost put the hosts ahead again in the 61st minute when he got on the end of an inswinging free-kick from Garrido - but Gomes reacted superbly to block the captain’s header.

And Spurs went ahead in the when Tom Huddlestone picked out Jermaine Jenas in the area. He laid the ball off into the path of Bent, who rattled a shot in off the post.

City suddenly picked up the pace, despite being down on numbers, and Benjani headed wide in the 72nd minute following a cross from Garrido.

Three minutes later Robinho saw his effort turned around the post by Gomes, and the goalkeeper continued his good work in the 77th minute when he blocked Ireland’s effort from an acute angle.

City were reduced to nine in the 83rd minute when Dunne was given a straight red card, after referee Deane adjudged he had hauled back Bent as he homed in on goal.

Tottenham then found themselves down to 10 on the stroke off full-time, Assou-Ekotto red-carded for a challenge on Pablo Zabaleta.

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