It was the day that Manchester well and truly put London in its place. The new capital of football could hardly have made a more forceful argument, winning 13-3 on aggregate – and it was a scoreline that didn’t flatter the city.
City’s 5-1 win at White Hart Lane, thanks to four goals from Edin Dzeko, appeared to blow apart any suggestion that Tottenham could mount a serious title challenge.
But what has happened since?
While City remain in the lead – Spurs have kept pace admirably. Indeed, Harry Redknapp’s side have accumulated more points than any other team in the top flight since August 28.
They have been allowed to fly under the radar while Manchester City have grabbed all the headlines.
They go into the weekend with the chance to close the gap on City to just two points – a result that would leave the top three almost too close to call and set up a thrilling second half of the season.
Here M.E.N Sport’s James Robson looks at the form of all both sides since that remarkable Sunday in August – and just who will triumph in what promises to be one of the most exciting title races of all time.
City
City fans might have thought it couldn’t get much better than the 5-1 at White Hart Lane – but little did they know what was in store.
The euphoria in north London was eclipsed by the demolition derby at Old Trafford with an unforgettable 6-1 win. They have been immovable from top spot ever since – even after their recent rocky spell.
Roberto Mancini’s side have outscored everyone in the Premier League and have the meanest defence to boot.
In David Silva they have the player of the season and in Sergio Aguero an Argentine hero to replace the man they thought was irreplaceable in Carlos Tevez.
With England’s No 1, the best centre back in the country in Vincent Kompany and the most dominant midfielder in Yaya Toure, City’s squad is the envy of everyone.
Their mid-season wobble, which saw them win only one in five before Monday’s 1-0 victory at Wigan, has given their rivals hope.
And with Kompany suspended and Toure on duty at the African Cup of Nations, the coming weeks will be the sternest of their title credentials.
But they remain the team to catch and victory against Tottenham on Sunday would be another potential banana skin avoided. United and Chelsea still have to go to the Etihad this season, while Arsenal away in April remains the only major test left on their travels.
Tottenham
How different the Premier League table would look if Spurs hadn’t given City and United a six-point head start.
Since their Edin Dzeko-inflicted 5-1 mauling in August, Redknapp’s side have lost just once more in the league, collecting 46 points, compared to City’s 42 and United’s 39.
In short, Tottenham are THE form side in the top flight since the first month of the season when Redknapp was faced with all manner of problems.
The London riots meant Spurs’ opening game against Everton was postponed, while Chelsea’s pursuit of Luka Modric cast a shadow over the club. The brilliant Croatian international was left out of the 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford and, although he featured against City, had told Redknapp beforehand that he wasn’t mentally prepared to take part.
At the time, Tottenham were in free-fall – but the turnaround since then has been nothing short of remarkable.
Emanuel Adebayor – who was ineligible to face City because he is on loan from the Etihad Stadium – and Scott Parker have transformed Spurs into genuine title contenders.
But perhaps Redknapp’s greatest weapon is the fact that his side have kept pace with their Manchester rivals almost anonymously. Win on Sunday and they won’t be dark horses anymore.
Here we goal again as Manchester City face Tottenham
January 18, 2012
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Does anyone know any bars in Levi, Finland where they will be showing the match?
Settle for 1-0 on Sunday and to be honest a point wouldn't be bad.
I think on sunday the City fans should be the 12th man and create a red hot atmosphere and cheer the lads to what would be a significant victory.So come on City fans lets raise the roof,Im approaching 70 and ill be shouting my head off,so if I can do it so can you.
No such thing as a "potential" banana skin. It's a banana skin, the danger is whether you tread on it or not.
Bring it on, loving every bit of the season and a long way to go yet!
Spurs did not give us six points start back in August. Their first two games were against top four rivals then, who turn out now to be title contenders - and Spurs lost them both by a margin. We put ourselves 6 points clear by winning our games. Since then Spurs have beaten Liverpool and Arsenal at home, as we have, and they still have to play all the top 6 away - a difficult task. We have to play United, Spurs and Chelsea at home with only Arsenal away to come. So, since August Spurs have taken 46 points to our 42, but they've played a game more (the game at home to Everton, postponed because of the riots on the first day of the season) - so now, from the same number of (arguably more difficult games) we are 5 points rather than 6 ahead of them. And , in fact, over the last 6 games (our wobble period!) City top the PL form league with 13 points to Spurs 12. Spurs had 4 home games to our 3, and their home games included only one of the top 6 (Chelsea, with whom they drew) whereas we played, and beat, Arsenal and Liverpool. Spurs drew at home to Wolves. Spurs had a cup tie against Cheltenham, which allowed them to rest players, rather that a 10 man epic against United and a CC semi against the scousers as an interlude. Our problem on Sunday is the absence of Kompany and the Toures, but, as I keep saying, if they are the only three absentees, our team would still be the envy of any other in the PL.
''How different the Premier League table would look if Spurs hadn’t given City and United a six-point head start.''
... given?
Spuds is a joke, Newcastle will finish above them..........watch this space!
For starters we need to forget the 1-5 it wont be that easy on Sunday. They are playing well now and we are not. They have pace and skill in midfield and on the flanks and we will have to get tight and not give them time and space. We must also put pressure on their back 4 to stop them playing easy balls out from the defenders. Therefore IMO we sould start with the following ( if injuries allow)
Hart Richards Savic Lescott Clichy Milner de Jong Barry Silva Aguero Dzeko
CTID
Tottenham Hypespur may be the media darlings but they could not hold a candle to their double winning team.
Best football ? My Spurs pal was totally underwelmed with their stuffy win over WBA, not to mention Wolves, Swansea, and Stoke.
They have a useful team but how many goals have they scored compared to us ???
The only team that can beat City is City ! Attitude, application, desire and ability will see
us through as long as the players want it enough !!!!! 1968 all over again !!!!
BMR
I wouldn't be worried if Adebayor was eligible to play. He's completely dried up for Spurs with just one goal in the last seven games. People always say he's as good as anybody on his day. The key part of that is "on his day". He's such a fickle player. Dzeko's not above criticism for showing a poor touch or spurning a decent chance but even when he plays badly you can see he's trying for the team. That's something you never got with Adebayor. I for one wouldn't welcome seeing him back in a City shirt.
Grinding a win out on Sunday would be an excellent result as the midfield of Spurs can cause real problems for most teams.
Can't see this game being anything like the 1-5 at WHL but the attacking potential , from both teams, is certainly there, although I suspect that Mancini will try to keep it tight and nick the odd goal.
Before Sunday I'm sure we will here much more from 'Arry and his boys in their attempts to play the mind games, and the media and red tops support the cause of their darling manager.
When is 'Arry's trial for defrauding HMRC by the way ?
Spur have nothing to worry about in this game.....they already won the league last Wedneasday!
Tottenham have had an almost freakish run of games against weaker sides but noe showing signs of a wobble themselves only managing a draw against Wolves at the weekend. I'm concerned for them as I think a resurgent city will continue the fight back from their dodgy post-xmas spell on sunday and Spurs will be glaringly exposed as being nowhere near the level we can play to when we ramp things up. City 4 - Spurs 0.
Are you joking!!!!!
Comparing two full strength sides who would be title challengers playing each other at White Hart lane with Manure v Arsenals third string ? who, when everyones fit and not suspended will still finish outside the top four!!!!!!!!
The only two teams in Manchseter are City's 24 first teamers - problem with Geography at the MUEN?
Not really looking forward to the game on Sunday as we do not have our best team available, but I will be there doing my "12th man" bit. (No voice on Monday again).
Just out of interest, the latest odds to win the Premiership as of 15.55pm Wed 18th are:
Us 4-9
Them 5-2
Spuds 12-1
Chelsea 40-1
When are the bookies ever wrong?....(apart from when United are at home to Blackburn).
Hang on, maybe I AM looking forward to Sunday after all. 1-0 will do.
Whatever happens we'll still be top on Monday morning, and one more difficult game will be out of the way.
If we win, we'll get headlines like "City underline their title credentials again..." if we lose it will be "City can't handle the pressure..."
It's just one game in a 38-match season, we're playing well, we have good players, a top manager, the best fans, and we're overdue a decent refereeing performance. All the little details may make headlines on a nothing-else-to-report-Wednesday, but come match-day and over a season, everything evens itself out and the best team wins.
So far that points to us.
Richards out so has to be this team and this team only
HART
ZAB SAVIC LESCOTT CLICHY
MILNER SILVA BARRY KOLAROV
AGUERO DZEKO
Zab/Milner to watch Bale
Barry/Clichy on Modric/Lennon
Kolarov and Silva to create and Aguero/Dzeko to score!
What is all this hype around the way spurs play? Norwich and Blackburn aren't far behind in goals scored. Esp without Ade they will be punished on Sunday and all the silly pundits will be eating their words..
Some Spud twerp on TalkSport giving it the gob this morning was saying how Adebator was going to destroy City on Sunday.
Says it all about this lot's supporters - all fur coat and no knickers!
Mr Robson we are not interested in United, have you got that?
Seeems ages ago that we beat them 5-1 and we are playing nowhere near that level at the moment (due to number of reasons). If we grind out a win on Sunday then I won't care a jot. 3 points is all that matters.
Edin could be Edin for league top scorer this year.
seems lik this reporter wants Spurs to win - Quite Obivous in the material above - Shame you should be supporting City Win ...
It's win or bust, this has to be a key game for us with six clear of the rags and eight clear of Spurs at stake, we dare not louse this one up we can't rely on past reputation we've got to hit them from the off and go two ahead in the first twenty minutes if only to steady every blue, both in attendance and watching from afar the nerves that are usually associated with this game. The so called experts say a two goal lead is dangerous but I'l take it above 0:0 any time, going in at half time. Come on Blues we'l do it off the pitch you deliver on it.