Scorer:-
Kanoute, 57

Referee:- Mr. D. Gallagher

Attendance:- 45, 805

Teams:-
Man City (4-4-2):- James; Mills, Dunne, Distin (Capt.), Jordan ; S. Wright-Phillips, Bosvelt, Barton, Sibierski; Macken (sub B. Wright-Phillips, 70), Fowler (sub Anelka, 70)

Subs not used:- Waterreus; Onuoha, Flood

Booked:- Jordan

Spurs (4-4-2):- Robinson; Pamarot, Naybet (sub Gardner, 46), King (Capt.), Atouba; Mendes (sub Kelly, 46), Brown, Carrick, Ricketts (sub Redknapp, 80); Kanoute, Keane

Subs not used:- Fulop; Yeates

Booked:- Naybet, Kelly

Fredi Kanoute's stupendous 56th minute strike secured Spurs third successive victory, which was coupled with a third successive clean sheet. That horrible 6 match run of defeats is being consigned to the archives, and suddenly Spurs are looking like the unit they did at the start of the season.

City came into this game feeling quite confident after a narrow defeat at The Riverside had brought their own 5 game unbeaten run to an end. They are a depleted squad though, and other than Anelka, had little experience available on the bench. No doubt the 45,000+ crowd was looking forward to giving a beating to Spurs, who have a recent reputation of being rather soft touches.

However, new coach Martin Jol is proving to be a tough cookie. Was all the pre-match talk about a Keane injury simply a smokescreen? It was a pleasant surprise to see that Robbie made the starting line-up. All we need now, is for him to find his lethal touch in the area, as once again, he had enough chances to take home the match ball. If you ask me, Martin Jol has shown all the potential to succeed in the Premiership. He knows the English game, and communicates well with his players, and his fans. He might have been a little too forceful in some of his comments to the press so far, but Jol do for me, Martin!

Jol also proved his ability as a good tactician, with a couple of great strokes at half time. Spurs stated with Atouba at left back, and Ricketts on the left. Pedro Mendes played once again on the right, and Brown and Carrick were the central midfield partnership. Carrick ghosted about once more, whilst Brown can refer to several more tangible pieces of evidence of impactive contributions, not least the long ball over the defence that sent Kanoute away on his goal-scoring run. Kevin Keegan retained Fowler and Macken up front, keeping the returning Anelka fidgeting on the bench.

City were bright at the start, and claimed a penalty against Ledley King within the first minute. King had simply legitimately shoulder-barged Macken in the box, and his strength was too much for the striker. Some people really do need to learn the rules! Chances were few and far between, but the next one fell to the Sky Blues, as Shaun Wright-Phillips' cross was headed half clear and Barton followed up with a 25 yard shot that was going outside the post, but that was pushed out for a corner by Robinson, just to be on the safe side.

Spurs were taking no risks in defence either. There was none of the recent show-boating we have seen from Atouba, who was a genuine man of the match contender, putting no foot wrong in my view, clearing with thought, and keeping Wright-Phillips under lock and key by and large. Naybet too was happy to put the ball out of play rather than take risks, although there were plenty of times when he was very cool on the ball, before clearing. Naybet was subject to Mr. Gallagher's words of wisdom after a skirmish between the two sides, and then got a booking rather unfortunately for a perceived foul on Fowler, who seemed to have fallen over rather than be fouled. The resulting free kick, taken by Sibierski was easily blocked, and that was almost the last we saw of Man City as a potent attacking force.

Spurs first decent effort came after a great move, started by Mendes in his own half on the right. His diagonal ball to Keane was helped on its way by Keane to Rohan Ricketts, who got inside Mills and behind Bosvelt, to push a shot across James that went only inches outside the far post, with the keeper beaten. After 38 minutes, Mendes spotted Keane with a good ball. Keane had a right foot chance with only James to beat, but hooked his shot wide. Sibierski was then involved in City's next attack, as he could not get enough headed contact onto Jordan's cross. Wright-Phillips crossed from the right, and Macken headed back for Fowler, whose effort was blocked. Robbie Keane had another decent chance, thanks to Mendes in injury time, but his effort was blocked.

After the break, Jol replaced Naybet and Mendes with Gardner and Kelly. Atouba moved forward to left midfield, and Ricketts switched to his natural right side. Stephen Kelly took up the left back role, and Anthony Gardner had one of his best games of the season, partnering the ever-reliable Ledley King. Whether or not Naybet and Mendes were injured, I do not know, but the change of strategy must have surprised City, who made very little headway in this half. Whereas in the first half, Mendes , Keane and Kanoute had been the main attacking outlet for Spurs, now Atouba was able to fully support the attack.

Ricketts had a good run inside from the right, but had no end product, and may have been too theatrical with his collapse with a head injury, winning no sympathy from the home fans. When he suffered another blow in the neck, later he was replaced by Redknapp. The Spurs goal came after a great ball over the top of the defence from that man Brown, sending Kanoute away down the inside left channel, with Dunne at his side. Fredi looked up, and hit a terrific 25 yard rising shot into the roof of the net in almost the only place he could have scored! It was another great goal to add to his Spurs record.

From a 67th minute free kick, Fredi headed to Keane who had James beaten from a sharp angle, but saw his effort blocked by a defender for a corner. Now City replaced both their strikers with Anelka and Bradley Wright-Phillips, but Spurs held firm. Stephen Kelly was Enemy Number One when he tackled Shaun Wright-Phillips near the corner flag, but only a yellow card was shown by the referee. TV replays have since shown that Kelly did go for the ball, and that his foot slipped off the top of the ball.

Michael Brown nearly repeated his trick of last week, with another storming run, this time in the City half only, once again teeing up Robbie Keane, who sliced the ball wide with the goal at his mercy.

Spurs last won three successive league matches in January this year, but I think it was April 1999 when they last had back to back away league victories. We have winnable fixtures all the way to 2005 now, but we all know Spurs can lose to anyone if they put their minds to it! Next up is Harry Redknapp's Southampton, in the first of 4 Premiership games, of which 3 are at home. Time to improve that home record which looks pretty dim against a total of 7 away wins in league and Cup games this season.

· Squad numbers,appearances,bookings & goalscorers
· Read the preview for this game.

· See the exclusive "Spursometer" and have your say regarding the performances of the team, individual players, manager and officials.

Follow @spursodyssey

· Squad numbers,appearances,bookings & goalscorers
· Read the preview for this game.
· All the Spurs Stats you could hope for here! THFC6061 Sports Stats