It's a interesting contradiction. On the surface today's match of Harry Redknapp's Tottenham against Mark Hughes is simply another Premier League fixture however in-truth it is much more. It is not only the tale of a wily veteran leader who breeds success in Harry versus one of best young managers in the game Mark Hughes but also of how RedknappTottenham has adopted their manager's fighting spirit while another, Man City, has completed abandoned their leaders tenacity.This was proven out today as Tottenham taught Man City a lesson or two about "want and desire" and playing a bit of fundamental winning Football on the way to a 2-1 victory. To say conditions were satisfactory would be ridiculous but amongst the cold rain the north-London club proved the mettle they were made of and gutted a tough victory out.
The Spurs went on the attack early as ex-Leeds man Jonathan Woodgate, Tom Huddlestone and Croatian international Luka Modrić challenging early. However to the delight of over 41,000 at Eastlands, Robinho opened the scoring sixteen minutes into the match as he pounced upon a poor clearance by Spurs 'keeper Gomes and finished from the center of the box. However the day would turn for City only ten minutes later as Gelson Fernandes received his second yellow of the day and was sent off. Playing a man down, Tottenham thirsted for goals with Luka Modrić on the hunt right away. A minute shy of the half hour mark, Harry's club found the leveler with Darren Bent finding the back of the net, in what would be the first of his two goals for the day. The match went to the break even at one but from the restart the Luka Modrić and Darren Bent created a whirlwind of activity in the attacking end. Finally with twenty-six minutes remaining in the match Darren Bent, who surely must be Fabio Capello's plans, sent a ball into the net from inside the box with Jermaine Jenas being the provider. City had a number of opportunities to find the equalizer with fifteen minutes remaining but slowly the Spurs midfield picked up their defending and halted their advances. With seven minutes remaining Man City went two man down as Richard Dunne was excused with his second yellow and from that moment on the match slowly drifted away with Tottenham earning the 2-1 victory.
With the loss, Man City is only a point from the relegation zone and looking ahead to a tough match against Hull next Sunday.
