Joe Hart was a blur – diving, parrying, punching, tipping and in general, frustrating the heck out of Spurs. Outstanding stuff from the City goalie. I wish we could have him at Arsenal but that will never happen now.
A few impressions: The first half saw a crackling display by Spurs as that overactive left channel with Gareth Bale and Benoit Assou Ekotto pounded City. Aaron Lennon kept pace on the right. And Jermain Defoe looked sharp. Tom Huddlestone anchored the midfield sending in some dead on drops into the box with Luka Modric pushing the ball out to the flanks. It was Spurs all over City and the wonder is that they did not score.
City looked imbalanced with three holding midfielders and the lone striker in Tevez pushed deep into midfield to get the ball. New signing David Silva was lively but mysterious drifiting repeatedly from his natural position on the left infringing on Shaun Wright Phillips territory. Aleksandar Kolarov on the left was pacy but short on ideas. Yaya Toure also contributed little of note. Heurelho Gomes in the Spurs goal had little to do.
The second half was a more evenly balanced affair but there were few scoring opportunities. Bale should have scored with just Hart to beat but the ball came onto his weaker right foot and he sliced that golden chance embarassingly wide to the right. Adebayor came on in the last 10 minutes but could do little.
City have a welter of attacking talent but somehow Roberto Mancini seems to be saddled with a defensive mindset. The positive note will be that City stopped the success Spurs have had over them. But the more disquieting scenario for City is that this match could be a precursor to a series of dreary draws fans were subjected to last season. Plus, who is the creative engine in the middle? I saw none.