Manchester City moved back to the top of the Premier League table this evening courtesy of a comfortable 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
Sergio Aguero opened the scoring for the visitors but Spurs were denied what looked like a valid equaliser later in the first half when Michael Dawson was adjudged to have been offside.
Danny Rose was sent off five minutes after the break for a challenge from behind on Edin Dzeko inside the box, allowing Yaya Toure to step up and double his side's lead.
Dzeko made it 3-0 shortly afterwards before Etienne Capoue slammed home a loose ball to give Spurs a little bit of hope.
However, City secured all three points with two more goals in the final 12 minutes as Stevan Jovetic opened his Premier League account before Vincent Kompany poked home for his side's fifth.
You can read how an eventful evening in North London unfolded with Sports Mole's live coverage of the match below.
Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's huge Premier League clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at White Hart Lane. Both sides could really do with three points in their chase of the Champions League places and league title respectively, so we should have an exciting game ahead of us!
We'll start, as ever, with a look at our hosts tonight. Things have improved markedly for Spurs since Tim Sherwood took over as manager of the club, and they are now very much in the race for a Champions League place this season. Liverpool's emphatic win over Everton in the Merseyside derby would have been a bittersweet result for the Londoners as it leaves them three points behind the Reds but gives them an edge over Everton in the race for fourth.
A win this evening would draw them back level on points with Liverpool, but they will not make it into the top four tonight. Their goal difference stands at just +3 for the season, the worst record in the top nine and 26 goals behind Liverpool. In what looks like being a very tight race, Sherwood will be desperate to improve that figure in the final part of the season.
Under Sherwood, Spurs have set about doing exactly that. Former manager Andre Villas-Boas made a low-scoring start to the season, but the Whites have upped their rate in recent matches, scoring three times against Swansea and Stoke while also netting twice against Manchester United and Crystal Palace. However, they still only have 29 league goals in their 22 games this season, which is the lowest tally in the top half of the table.
Things need improving at the other end too. Their defence has, largely, been solid this season, but heavy defeats to the likes of Liverpool and in the reverse fixture against Man City have left them with the second worst defensive record in the top six. Their 26 goals conceded is by no means a terrible return from 22 games, but coupled with their lack of goals it does become a problem.
Life is good under Sherwood, however, as Spurs have picked up 16 points from an available 18 with him at the helm. Had the league started when Sherwood took over, Spurs would be second behind only tonight's opponents, so confidence will certainly be high at White Hart Lane. However, Manchester United aside, Sherwood is yet to come up against any of the title challengers in the league and, the only time he has faced a team of that calibre, his side were on the wrong end of a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup.
Their home record has been a cause for some concern this season as they have amassed just 18 points at White Hart Lane, compared to 25 points on their travels. Again, though, things have improved under Sherwood, who has drawn one and won two of his three games here as permanent manager, although he did lose to West Ham in the League Cup while in temporary charge.
There can be no doubting that they are a hard team to beat in the league, however, even stretching back to the Andre Villas-Boas days. Spurs have only lost one of their last 10 games in the top flight, although that was a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Liverpool.
If there is any English team who can overcome a hard-to-beat team at the moment, it is Manchester City. Manuel Pellegrini's side are in unstoppable form going into this match, winning their last seven in the league and picking up a staggering 31 points from the last 33 on offer.
Overall, City have now gone 19 games unbeaten in all competitions, a run that stretches back to November 10. In that time they have won 17 games and scored a phenomenal 64 goals. Spurs won't need reminding how deadly City can be in front of goal having been humiliated 6-0 in the reverse fixture earlier this season, a result which, incidentally, was the one that kicked off their unbeaten streak.
City's comeback win over Watford in the FA Cup at the weekend kept their quadruple hopes alive, and they could take another small step towards that unprecedented achievement with a win today. Arsenal finally slipped up last night, which means that three points tonight would see Pellegrini's side leapfrog the Gunners at the top of the table, and that is a position that they don't look like giving up easily.
The visitors have had some incredible scoring power to call upon this season, with Alvaro Negredo slotting in seamlessly beside Sergio Aguero to create one of the league's best striking partnerships. In reverse they have Edin Dzeko too, and he has weighed in with his fair share of goals this season. Overall they have scored 63 in the Premier League this season - unsurprisingly the highest tally of any team - while they also recently blasted through the 100-goal barrier for all competitions.
Such dominance up front does not appear to be having a detrimental impact on the defensive either. Captain Vincent Kompany came out this week to admit that the attacking tactics were risky, but his side have only conceded 25 goals this season - a tally only Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton can better. They do seem to have trouble keeping clean sheets at times, but as long as they score more than the opposition, then things are good!
Perhaps the only chink in City's armour this season has been their away form. They have been beaten by the likes of Cardiff and Sunderland on their travels, but recently have improved things and are now unbeaten in nine away games in all competitions. Still, they don't look quite as convincing as they do at the Etihad, and Championship side Blackburn showed that they could be matched with a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park in the FA Cup recently.
When you dig a little deeper into the statistics, it becomes even clearer why City have swept all before them recently, and don't look like being stopped. For example, they have scored with 21.2% of their shots this season, which is the best conversion rate in the Premier League. Liverpool are their only real contenders in the goalscoring stakes, and they still sit six behind. The next highest scorers are Arsenal, who have managed a whopping 18 less than Pellegrini's side.
TEAM NEWS: Right, the team news is in for both sides, and the biggest surprise comes from the visitors. Alvaro Negredo had been passed fit for this match after overcoming a shoulder injury, but he is left on the bench as Dzeko partners Aguero up front. David Silva returns to the starting lineup following a hamstring injury. For Spurs, Gylfi Sigurdsson comes into the side as Sherwood opts, as expected, for one striker - Adebayor. Soldado and Defoe are left on the bench. Full team news for both sides on the way...
SPURS STARTING XI: Lloris; Walker, Chiriches, Dawson, Rose; Bentaleb, Dembele; Lennon, Sigurdsson, Eriksen; Adebayor
SPURS SUBS: Friedel, Naughton, Capoue, Chadli, Holtby, Defoe, Soldado
MAN CITY STARTING XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy; Navas, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Silva; Aguero, Dzeko
MAN CITY SUBS: Pantilimon, Lescott, Nastasic, Kolarov, Rodwell, Negredo, Jovetic
So, what can we make of those two sides? Well, starting with Spurs, it is no surprise to see Sherwood go for just one up front, and when it comes to form Adebayor was always going to get the nod of Soldado. Sherwood began his time in charge of Spurs with two strikers but reverted to the lone frontman against Swansea and continues that tonight. That is a wise move for me as it gives them an extra man in midfield, an area where City like to dominate games.
In defence, Spurs are very much as expected, with Vertonghen and Kaboul adjudged not fit enough to play just yet. Vlad Chiriches could be a key player today. At his best, he is a very skilled player who can have a positive impact on the game, but he has shown enough signs during his time in England to suggest that he is prone to a mistake. Against an attacking line like City's he won't get away with many tonight.
Sherwood has once again named Bentaleb in the side, and the youngster will face an almighty test coming up against the likes of Toure and Silva this evening. They have high hopes for him at White Hart Lane and, if he can help quell the City midfield this evening, that potential will continue to grow. There is no place, again, for Chadli as Dembele plays in the middle, with Sigurdsson and Lennon on the wings. It will be interesting to see how Lennon gets on against Clichy, with both players blessed with extraordinary pace. On paper that looks like an intriguing battle.
Adebayor once again starts up front following his brace against Swansea last time out. He is enjoying a new lease of life under Sherwood and will be particularly keen to put in a good showing against one of his former clubs tonight. However, Tottenham's chances could hinge on which Adebayor turns up. At his best, he can be a real handful, but at his worst he can be a liability. He has Eriksen behind him, and the creative midfielder will also be key to Tottenham's chances of getting something out of this game.
As for City, their defence has not kept many clean sheets this season, but on paper it looks like a very solid back line. Zabaleta and Kompany are among the best players in their position in the Premier League, while Hart appears to have put his early-season error-prone form behind him. The only question mark may hang over Demichelis, who has not always been the most convincing of defenders.
For all the plaudits City's strikers are (rightly) receiving, their midfield has been almost as impressive this season. Yaya Toure in particular has rediscovered his form from the title-winning season and is back to being one of the most dominant players in the league. It is a big boost for City to have Silva back as he adds an extra piece of creativity, while Navas has bags of pace and can deliver a fine final ball, as we have already seen this season. Even Fernandinho - the most defensive of the midfield - has shown that he has an eye for goal, so City have a real threat throughout the middle of the park.
What else can we say about City's strikers? Spurs will be relieved to see Negredo name not in the starting lineup, but things don't get much easier for them in the form of Dzeko. The star of the show is Aguero, however, who has immediately returned to scoring form following a spell out with injury. He has now scored 13 and assisted four more goals in his last 12 top flight games, and is looking for his 50th Premier League goal this evening. Should he get it, he will become the fifth fastest man to reach the landmark having played 80 games so far.
PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes from kickoff at White Hart Lane, which means that it is time for my match prediction! This is quite a hard one to call given Tottenham's improved form of late. I certainly don't see a repeat of the 6-0 thrashing earlier in the season, but it is hard to look past City's recent form. They are improving on their travels and you always fancy them to be able to score at least three goals - wherever they are playing. I'm going to go for a 3-2 win for the visitors.
Tottenham's record against City at White Hart Lane is actually very good. City have only won here once in the last 10 meetings between the two sides, although that was a comprehensive victory. Last season's corresponding fixture ended 3-1 to Spurs, one of seven wins in those last 10 matches against City in North London.
They may have struggled for wins at White Hart Lane, but City certainly haven't struggled for goals in this fixture. They have found the net 17 times in their last five league games against Tottenham including, of course, the most recent meeting which ended 6-0 to Pellegrini's side.
This isn't the only offering of midweek Premier League action we have for you tonight. There are three other matches taking place, and you can following them all live with Sports Mole. We have Aston Villa vs. West Brom, Chelsea vs. West Ham and Sunderland vs. Stoke. I will also be keeping you up to date with major events from around the country as and when they happen.
Only four of the Tottenham players who were on the end of that 6-0 thrashing earlier this season are starting tonight's game, so there may not be an overwhelming sense of wanting revenge for Spurs. However, they were certainly be keen to erase that memory with a win tonight.
KICKOFF: The hosts get us underway at White Hart Lane on a huge night for both teams. Can Spurs do their North London rivals Arsenal a favour and end City's long unbeaten run, or will City march on to the top of the table?
It has been an even start to the match, and both teams look like they will get forward whenever possible today. Spurs are a different prospect under Sherwood, and I am expecting goals tonight.
OFF THE POST! Wow, City come within inches of taking an early lead, and it is Sergio Aguero who is the man who smacks the woodwork. Fernandinho played the ball into the Argentinian, who took it round the defence to create space to shoot. He does find room and hammers a powerful effort that cracks against the inside of the post. So close.
UPDATE: There has been an early goal elsewhere in the Premier League and it has come in the Midlands derby as West Brom have taken the lead against Aston Villa courtesy of a Chris Brunt strike.
CHANCE! Decent chance for Dzeko as he cuts inside his man to work the ball onto his right foot before looking for support in the area. Seeing no-one, he goes for goal himself, but blasts his effort over the bar.
City have begun this match on top as Spurs struggle to settle into the match. They may not have been expecting anything different given City's recent form, but they won't be too used to not having things their own way under Sherwood.
GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Manchester City (Sergio Aguero)
You just can't stop this man scoring at the moment! Aguero brings up his 50th Premier League goal in his 81st game with a lovely finish pass Lloris. Aguero had been played in by Silva, peeling away from his marker before sliding the ball into the bottom corner.
Dzeko has another go from a tight angle, but once again he sends his effort high and wide of the goal. City have started this match really well and Spurs already look like having a mountain to climb to get back into this match.
UPDATE: It is already turning into a bit of a thriller at Villa Park, where Aston Villa now trail West Brom 2-1 after a Fabian Delph own goal and Andreas Weimann strike. Elsewhere, Adam Johnson has given Sunderland the lead against Stoke at the Stadium of Light.
Much better from the hosts as Adebayor drives into the box before trying to guide a shot into the far corner. However, the effort was blocked behind and Spurs will now have a corner.
WHAT A SAVE! Oh my word, that looked for all the world as if it would be 2-0 to City! Clichy does really well down the left before clipping a ball back into the middle. Aguero gets in front of Rose and glances a header goalwards, but Lloris pulls off a stunning one-handed stop to deny the in-form striker a second.
Navas swings a fine ball into the box that is very hard for Dawson to deal with. He slices it up and over his own bar in the end, but he will just be happy that it didn't end up in his own net. City look capable of scoring at any moment.
OFF THE LINE! Spurs escape again as Danny Rose in the right place to clear a flicked header off the line. City come straight back at the hosts, but for once Aguero can't find the target as he powers a shot high and wide.
Navas tries to cut inside but his attempted square pass is blocked by a white shirt. The ball falls to Zabaleta, who goes for a first-time curling effort into the top corner that sails narrowly over the top. That was not a bad effort at all from the full-back.
The hosts just haven't been able to get their dangermen into this game at all. Eriksen, Lennon and Adebayor have barely touched the ball so far in this one as City continue to dominate the game.
Another City attack sees Dzeko lay the ball off to Silva inside the box, but his first-time effort is deflected wide for a corner. From that corner Dzeko hooks the ball goalwards and claims a handball when it hits a Tottenham defender, but the ref waves the claims away.
I've just seen the replay of the penalty shout, and it was a worthwhile one from Dzeko. It certainly hit the hands of the defender, who had his arms away from his body, but the only reason I can see why it wasn't given was the proximity between the players.
Eriksen whips another good corner towards the near post which Bentaleb manages t get his head on to. He flicks his header on but it goes behind without another touch. That was a difficult chance for the youngster.
YELLOW CARD! Yaya Toure becomes the first man in the book, and he can have no complaints really. He dragged his studs right down the back of Dembele's ankle, which will be a painful one or the Tottenham man.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Spurs think that they have got the equalising goal, but their celebrations are cut short by the linesman's flag. It was Eriksen's delivery towards the back post that Dawson volleyed in off the bar from close range at the back post, but he was adjudged to have been offside. That was very, very tight.
That really was a call that could have gone either way, and the hosts are not happy about having the goal chalked off. Dawson did look level when the ball was played in.
YELLOW CARDS! Demichelis goes in the book from a strong challenge on Adebayor, but the defender thinks that the free kick should go to him. An argument ensues, and both Demichelis and Aguero are shown yellow cards.
From the subsequent free kick Kompany gets the initial delivery clear, but it only falls as far as Dembele on the edge of the box. He takes it down and volleys towards goal, but his effort is dragged well wide and does not trouble Hart.
This is worrying for City as Aguero goes down off the ball with not a white shirt around him. I would be surprised if he could carry on after that as he had no other reason to go down. He may be kept on util half time so they can treat it at the break, however.
MAN CITY SUB: They won't even risk Aguero for that long. The Argentine limps off the field to be replaced by Stefan Jovetic. Interesting that he was preferred to Negredo by Pellegrini.
There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this first half.
City have a slight chance as Demichelis rises highest inside the box to win a header from a free kick, but he couldn't keep his effort down. It was by no means an easy chance for him.
HALF TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Manchester City
Andre Marriner brings an end to an entertaining an action-packed first half that sees City go into the break with a 1-0 lead. They have been good value for it so far, but Spurs did show signs of getting back into the match in the latter stages of the half. We are all set up for an intriguing second 45 minutes.
Sergio Aguero got the goal for City, which comes as no surprise. The striker was played in by a fine Silva pass but still had a bit to do, keeping his composure to slide his finish past Lloris and into the bottom corner. It has been an eventful game overall for the Argentinian, who has also hit the post and been forced off injured.
That effort that hit the post was a sign of things to come for Spurs as Aguero made his way around the defence before firing an effort against the upright. City dominated the opening half an hour and genuinely looked like scoring every time they came forward.
Spurs have Lloris to thank for only being one down, as the French keeper made a brilliant save to deny Aguero in the 20th minute. Aguero nodded Clichy's cross goalwards from close range, but Lloris pulled off a fine reaction stop to palm it away with one hand. Shortly afterwards Danny Rose was called upon to clear the ball off the line as City continued to push forward.
Tottenham could have been level at the break had they had a little more luck, however. Dawson thought he had scored with 10 minutes of the half remaining, but his close-range finish from Eriksen's free kick was disallowed for offside. Things were moving very fast for the linesman and it wasn't the easiest of decisions, but the replays show that Dawson was indeed onside.
TOTTENHAM SUB: Spurs are making a change at the break as Dembele makes way for Etienne Capoue.
KICKOFF: City get us back underway at White Hart Lane. As things stand, they will move top of the table this evening - can they hold on or will Spurs respond in this second half?
Capoue makes an immediate impact with a heavy challenge on Silva, but no yellow card is forthcoming from the referee. Capoue is a lucky boy there, on another day that could have even been a straight red.
PENALTY TO MANCHESTER CITY!
RED CARD! Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur)
GOAL! Tottenham 0-2 Man City (Yaya Toure)
That could well be game over for Spurs, who will be feeling very hard done by. Rose concedes a penalty for a lunging challenge from behind on Dzeko inside the box, but the full-back did actually get the ball before he got the man. Marriner at first does not award the penalty but his mind is changed by his assistant, and once it is a penalty it has to be a red card. Toure steps up a coolly converts from 12 yards to double his side's lead, and Spurs now need to fight back with a man down.
GOAL! Tottenham 0-3 Manchester City (Edin Dzeko)
If it wasn't game over before, it certainly is now. Again there is an element of luck about the goal as Zabaleta races down the right before pulling the ball back to Silva. His shot is expertly tipped onto the post by Lloris, but it bounces straight to Jovetic, who pokes it to Dzeko to finish from close range.
TOTTENHAM SUB: Spurs made a change in the immediate aftermath of that goal, bringing Kyle Naughton on for Sigurdsson. This could be damage limitation mode for Spurs now.
Spurs can feel really hard done by here. The game has got away from them in the first 10 minutes of the second half but they have had a good goal disallowed and also had a man sent off and a penalty given against them for a fine challenge. Still, City have been the better team regardless of the luck that has gone against the hosts.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-3 Man City (Etienne Capoue)
Perhaps this one isn't over?! Spurs get a goal back, and it is no surprise to see it come from a set piece as they have really threatened down that avenue today. City fail to deal with an initial corner into the box and the ball falls to Capoue, who slams it home from close range.
Fernandinho is lucky that he didn't keep that one out, it must be said. The midfielder tried to save it with his hands and, had he been successful, it would have been a certain penalty and red card, which would have made things very interesting.
That goal has certainly lifted the atmosphere at White Hart Lane, and the hosts are playing more positively now, but surely there is no way back for them. They still trail a free-scoring City by two goals and also have a man less than their opponents. Pellegrini won't be happy at having let another clean sheet go, but he won't be too worried either.
MAN CITY SUB: Yaya Toure's evening is over, but not quickly enough for Adebayor's liking. He runs over and physically pushes the big midfielder off the pitch, where he is replaced by Nastasic.
YELLOW CARD! Naughton goes into the book, and he has no complaints about this one. He scythed down Navas after the winger had knocked the ball past him.
CHANCE! Another good chance for Dzeko as Clichy sends a lovely ball into the striker. He takes it well on his chest but snatches at his half volley, sending it high and wide. That is a few times he has wasted a chance with a hurried effort.
UPDATE: It has been a Midlands derby for the ages at Villa Park tonight, Having been 2-0 down within 10 minutes, Villa now lead West Brom 4-3 courtesy of a Benteke penalty. Could there be even more drama in that game in the remaining 20 minutes or so?
Another half chance for Dzeko as a lovely move from the visitors ends up with Zabaleta squeezing the ball back into the striker, but once again he mis-hits his shot and sends it harmlessly wide. He could have had a hat-trick tonight.
Spurs do deserve credit for the way they have responded to going 3-0 down and, in particular, a man down. They had refused to park the bus and are still looking to get a decent amount of men forward when they attack.
Dzeko has yet another shot, but this time his effort is tame and trickles straight into the arms of Lloris. He may have a goal to his name, but Dzeko has not enjoyed his best performance this evening.
City are just keeping the ball now, passing it about easily and making the 10 men of Tottenham chase shadows. That will tire the hosts out, so don't think that we have seen the last of the chances this evening. I wouldn't be surprised if City got another goal or two in this one.
YELLOW CARD! Zabaleta is the latest player to go into the book, and it is a silly one from the full-back. He was penalised for a soft foul but then earned the yellow by kicking the ball away in frustration.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-4 Man City (Stevan Jovetic)
City hit their opponents for four yet again. It is Jovetic who gets their latest goal, and it his first in the Premier League. He received the ball from Fernandinho inside the box before cutting into the middle and curling one towards the bottom corner. It takes a deflection on the way through that sees it fly past Lloris, but there is no doubt that it is Jovetic's goal.
MAN CITY SUB: City's final change of the night sees Silva make way after another majestic performance as the puppet-master. On comes Kolarov in his place.
Dzeko has had some bad misses this evening, but this is the worst of the lot. The ball is played in low towards him in the box and it is by no means a golden chance for the striker as he tries to wrap his foot around it, but he should still do better than blasting it a long, long way over the bar.
TOTTENHAM SUB: The hosts make their final change of the match as Eriksen, who has probably been Tottenham's most dangerous player with his set piece delivery, goes off to be replaced by Lewis Holtby.
UPDATE: So, City are on their way to the top of the table, but they could also be opening up a bigger gap between themselves and Chelsea too. Mourinho's side are still being held 0-0 by West Ham at Stamford Bridge. What a result that would be for the Hammers.
CHANCE! It is so close to 5-1 for the visitors. City break forward with great pace as Navas sprints down the right before playing a low ball into the middle that is just behind Dzeko. It falls to Kolarov, but his low strike is very well saved by Lloris, who just gets enough on it to send it just past the post.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-5 Man City (Vincent Kompany)
There is the fifth goal, and it is the captain who gets it with a striker's finish! Some poor marking from a corner sees Dzeko is space, and his shot is deflected into the path of Kompany, who reacts really quickly to poke it home from close range. That was a real poacher's goal from the centre-back, and that is 11 goals in two games for City against Spurs this season.
There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match.
Important interception from Lloris as he comes out to push a Zabaleta cross away from danger with Dzeko waiting behind him for a tap in.
FULL TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 1-5 Manchester City
Andre Marriner brings an end to another City masterclass as they move top of the table with an emphatic 5-1 win over Spurs at White Hart Lane. Tottenham had a number of big calls go against them in the match, but there is no doubting that they were second best throughout. City thoroughly deserve their victory, and it is hard to see anyone knocking them off top spot now. It is eight straight wins for Manuel Pellegrini's side in the league and 20 without defeat in all competitions. Can anyone stop them?
The goals came from Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure, Edin Dzeko, Stevan Jovetic and Vincent Kompany, while Etienne Capoue netted for Spurs, who were reduced to 10 men early in the second half.
Right, that's all we have time for this evening. Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was a thoroughly entertaining match between Spurs and Man City at White Hart Lane. The visitors go top of the table thanks to a 5-1 win, while Spurs remain three points behind fourth. I will leave you with our match report and be sure to stick around for reaction and analysis which will be on site shortly. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
