Man City 3 - 2 Tottenham

 
Balotelli calmly slotted home the decisive penalty to give City the points 
 

Mario Balotelli's injury-time penalty gave Premier League leaders Manchester City a vital victory after Tottenham's stirring comeback looked set to earn them a point at Etihad Stadium.

City set the platform for a win early in the second half with two quick goals from Samir Nasri and Joleon Lescott - but Spurs delivered a devastating response as an opportunist goal from Jermain Defoe and a magnificent strike from Gareth Bale drew them level in a burst of four goals in nine minutes.
Balotelli emerged from the bench and into the chaos that seems to be his constant companion - picking up a booking for a foul on Benoit Assou-Ekotto then escaping punishment after appearing to stamp on Scott Parker, an incident which went undetected by referee Howard Webb.

Mario Balotelli should have been sent off - Harry Redknapp

Defoe was then inches away from putting Spurs back in front in stoppage time before Italian Balotelli was inevitably the central figure in the final twist that ensured Roberto Mancini's side maintained the gap ahead of their pursuers at the top of the table.
Spurs' backroom staff were enraged by Balotelli's clash with Parker and their burning sense of injustice would have been made even more acute when he calmly strode forward to score from the spot with only seconds remaining after he had been hauled down by Ledley King.
The visitors clearly felt he should not even have been on the pitch, adding to their frustration after they had demonstrated considerable character and resilience to fight their way back into the game.

City boss Mancini will have had mixed emotions - delight at a crucial three points but also anxiety at the manner in which his side allowed Spurs back into the game.
Defoe, as expected, was Redknapp's selection in attack ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor, who was unable to figure against City, his parent club, during his season-long loan period.
In a first half that was fiercely contested, the only striker who got the chance to shine was City's Sergio Aguero as Spurs outnumbered City in midfield and contained the league leaders in relative comfort.

The Argentine saw his goalbound shot inadvertently blocked by Edin Dzeko, then demonstrated great strength and awareness to hold off Younes Kaboul and find David Silva, who dragged his shot just wide.
Aguero was frustrated by Spurs goalkeeper Brad Friedel after Richards forced his way into area - but there was still no indication of the torrent of goals that were to hit the Etihad after the break.

 
Tottenham allege Mario Balotelli stamped on the head of Scott Parker 
 
The first came after 56 minutes when Silva, with trademark creation, threaded a pass through for Nasri to thump a finish past Friedel. And when Lescott bundled home Dzeko's flick from a Nasri corner three minutes later, City could see daylight.
Not for long, however, as Spurs were back in business within seconds as the hour approached. Stefan Savic failed miserably in his attempt to deal with a clearance, heading straight to Defoe, who accepted the gift with relish as he rounded City keeper Joe Hart to score.
City's fans had gone from elation to anxiety, but Dzeko should have eased their concerns when he was played in by Silva. The Bosnian never looked convincing as he lashed his effort way over the top.
Bale showed no such uncertainty when he put Spurs level in spectacular style after 65 minutes. He took Aaron Lennon's pass and clipped a finish that possessed pace, power and precision high into the top corner beyond Hart, who had no chance.

Mancini delighted and unhappy - Platt

City had introduced Balotelli for Dzeko, but his first meaningful contribution was to pick up a yellow card from referee Webb for a foul on Assou-Ekotto.
The coming together with Parker that provided a major talking point followed soon after, before a thrilling second half received the climax it deserved.
Defoe could not stretch far enough to turn Bale's cross into an open goal - leaving the stage clear for the turbulent Balotelli to write another chapter into his eventful Manchester City story.

UNSTOPPABLE: Samir Nasri scores for City against Spurs UNSTOPPABLE: Samir Nasri scores for City against Spurs Need a Fast Payday Loan? Samir Nasri responded to his critics after an influential display in Manchester City's vital but controversial win over title rivals Tottenham. Nasri has been unable to command a regular starting place in City's star-studded side since his £24million switch from Arsenal but has been angered by suggestions the move was motivated by financial gain. And while the main talking point from City's 3-2 victory over Spurs centred on the actions of match-winner Mario Balotelli, the France midfielder feels he made a point by striking a superb opener. The 24-year-old said: "This goal is what I needed after everyone was talking. "I needed this to show everyone I am 100% with Man City. "I want to perform well and show everyone what I can do. "David (Silva) gave me a brilliant ball and after one touch, I scored and I was happy." City's victory came in contentious circumstances as Balotelli, who had escaped punishment after a clash with Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker, struck an injury-time penalty at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City games moved for TV Video: Anxious wait for Mario Balotelli Roberto Mancini hits out at sloppy Manchester City troops Manchester City 3 Tottenham 2: Player ratings Mario Balotelli calm before key penalty Spurs manager Harry Redknapp accused the Italian of stamping on Parker's head and did not believe he should have been on the field to win - and convert - the last-gasp spot-kick. Redknapp's frustration was compounded by the fact the incident occurred just seconds after Jermain Defoe had narrowly missed a glorious chance to win the game for the visitors. It made for a dramatic end to a pulsating second half from which City emerged with their three-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League intact. Spurs now trail Roberto Mancini's men by eight points and Manchester United are now perhaps the only realistic challengers to City. A cagey game was transformed by Nasri's powerful first-time strike in the 56th minute. Three more goals followed in the next nine minutes as Joleon Lescott bundled in a City second, Defoe pounced on a Stefan Savic mistake to reply and Gareth Bale curled a stunning equaliser. Nasri told City TV: "It was the kind of game that everyone wants to play. "It was a crazy game with two of the best teams in England. I think everyone loved with this game. "It was a good result for us and we are happy with our performance." Nasri was well aware the result could easily have gone the other way with Defoe agonisingly close to turning in a Bale cross at the far post in the dying moments. The Frenchman said: "Seriously I had a doubt about it, I was scared. "I am used to playing against Tottenham, they are a team who react really well. "Last year with Arsenal we were winning 2-0 and they beat us 3-2, but I knew if we kept calm, played our football, we would score the third one because they leave too much space. That is what we did. "We didn't go forward too quickly because then you open some space for them and they play quickly up front. "We are happy with the result, that is the most important."

Read more at: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1471655_samir-nasri-i-needed-goal-to-show-im-100-per-cent-manchester-city

UNSTOPPABLE: Samir Nasri scores for City against Spurs UNSTOPPABLE: Samir Nasri scores for City against Spurs Need a Fast Payday Loan? Samir Nasri responded to his critics after an influential display in Manchester City's vital but controversial win over title rivals Tottenham. Nasri has been unable to command a regular starting place in City's star-studded side since his £24million switch from Arsenal but has been angered by suggestions the move was motivated by financial gain. And while the main talking point from City's 3-2 victory over Spurs centred on the actions of match-winner Mario Balotelli, the France midfielder feels he made a point by striking a superb opener. The 24-year-old said: "This goal is what I needed after everyone was talking. "I needed this to show everyone I am 100% with Man City. "I want to perform well and show everyone what I can do. "David (Silva) gave me a brilliant ball and after one touch, I scored and I was happy." City's victory came in contentious circumstances as Balotelli, who had escaped punishment after a clash with Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker, struck an injury-time penalty at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City games moved for TV Video: Anxious wait for Mario Balotelli Roberto Mancini hits out at sloppy Manchester City troops Manchester City 3 Tottenham 2: Player ratings Mario Balotelli calm before key penalty Spurs manager Harry Redknapp accused the Italian of stamping on Parker's head and did not believe he should have been on the field to win - and convert - the last-gasp spot-kick. Redknapp's frustration was compounded by the fact the incident occurred just seconds after Jermain Defoe had narrowly missed a glorious chance to win the game for the visitors. It made for a dramatic end to a pulsating second half from which City emerged with their three-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League intact. Spurs now trail Roberto Mancini's men by eight points and Manchester United are now perhaps the only realistic challengers to City. A cagey game was transformed by Nasri's powerful first-time strike in the 56th minute. Three more goals followed in the next nine minutes as Joleon Lescott bundled in a City second, Defoe pounced on a Stefan Savic mistake to reply and Gareth Bale curled a stunning equaliser. Nasri told City TV: "It was the kind of game that everyone wants to play. "It was a crazy game with two of the best teams in England. I think everyone loved with this game. "It was a good result for us and we are happy with our performance." Nasri was well aware the result could easily have gone the other way with Defoe agonisingly close to turning in a Bale cross at the far post in the dying moments. The Frenchman said: "Seriously I had a doubt about it, I was scared. "I am used to playing against Tottenham, they are a team who react really well. "Last year with Arsenal we were winning 2-0 and they beat us 3-2, but I knew if we kept calm, played our football, we would score the third one because they leave too much space. That is what we did. "We didn't go forward too quickly because then you open some space for them and they play quickly up front. "We are happy with the result, that is the most important."

Read more at: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1471655_samir-nasri-i-needed-goal-to-show-im-100-per-cent-manchester-city