Mark Lawrenson has played down Manchester City's thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur as just another "freak result" in the Premier League.

Spurs were battered 6-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, but Lawrenson feels that the huge win for City won't hide their poor form away from home.

"They handed out six of the best to Spurs and were probably celebrating long into Sunday night," Lawrenson told The Mirror. "But Manchester City's devastating win over Tottenham is not the disaster for the north Londoners that it appears at first glance.

"For me it is yet another freak result in a season shaping up to be the craziest in Premier League history. It is a result that is symptomatic of the fact that this year's title will be decided by inconsistency rather than footballing brilliance. And it is also a scoreline that tells you more about Manuel Pellegrini's men than Spurs.

"Frankly it is embarrassing that, with the firepower to hand out hidings to the likes of Spurs, Manchester United and Newcastle, City lose away from home to the likes of Cardiff, Aston Villa and Sunderland. How can they drop points at places like Stoke's Britannia Stadium? Don't get me wrong, I can see City remaining unbeaten at home for the rest of the season. But if they really want to be considered title contenders then they have to start."

City are fourth in the Premier League table, while Spurs are ninth.