was an afternoon when the Premiership form book was turned
upside down following Tottenham Hotspur's triumph at Manchester
City.
Martin Jol's side recorded its elusive first away victory of the
season as they ended City's impressive home run - they suffered
their first home league defeat of the campaign.
This was not, however, an unexpected upset as City has failed to
beat Spurs at home since 1994, a sequence of eight league and cup
games.
It proved a fascinating duel as Spurs looked to have the game won
when Calum Davenport and Tom Huddlestone put them 2-0 ahead midway
through the opening half.
Spurs had enough chances to have sealed victory long before Joey
Barton handed City an unexpected lifeline midway through the second
half, with his goal setting up a thrilling finale.
But despite City having territorial advantage in the last quarter
of the match, they were unable to conjure an equalising goal which
would have preserved their unbeaten home record.
City's two changes from their defeat in the Manchester derby were
both enforced by suspension, as Ben Thatcher and Bernardo Corradi
were replaced by Stephen Jordan and Paul Dickov.
Spurs also had two changes forced upon them as Michael Dawson was
ruled out through a one-match ban and Aaron Lennon through injury,
Davenport and Hossam Ghaly won call-ups.
City received an early let-off when Dimitar Berbatov's shot beat
keeper Nick Weaver only for Sylvain Distin to come to the rescue
with a goal-line clearance.
But it proved only a momentary let-off as Spurs took a 16th minute
lead through Davenport.
Huddlestone's free-kick was floated into the penalty area from the
left and Davenport rose to glance a header from ten yards high to
the left of Weaver.
Incredibly it was Spurs' first away goal of the season from open
play.
And it was quickly followed by a second Spurs goal within two
minutes, a stunning half-volley from outside the penalty area as
Huddlestone connected to a Ghaly cross to fire low to the right of
Weaver.
City's troubles increased on the half hour when right-back Micah
Richards limped off to be replaced by Stephen Ireland, forcing a
tactical reshuffle.
City were also fortunate not to concede a third goal before the
break as Steed Malbranque's goalbound effort was blocked by Richard
Dunne, Huddlestone's ferocious drive flew narrowly over the
crossbar and Berbatov brought an excellent save from Weaver.
City manager Stuart Pearce made a second substitution at the start
of the second half replacing the ineffective Georgios Samaras with
Nedum Onuoha and switching Darius Vassell to partner Dickov up
front in a new-look strike partnership.
But it was Spurs who remained the more potent attacking threat as
they ought to have added a third goal when Jermain Defoe wriggled
in between Distin and Ireland to burst through on goal, only to
fire into the sidenetting when he ought to have hit the
target.
Midway through the second period City clawed their way back into
the game with a goal out of nothing.
Dickov provided the assist with a cross from the left which Barton
volleyed past Paul Robinson from a tight angle six yards from
goal.
It belatedly brought City to life and they gained a belief they
could get something out of a game which had looked lost.
Though City showed more ambition in the final quarter of the game
than in the preceding three quarters, they were unable to find a
route to goal for a second time as Spurs held on for their first
away day success of the season.
Spurs head coach Jol was relieved after his side recorded their
first away league victory of the season.
He said: "I am delighted as City had four wins and four draws and
had conceded only one goal in their previous eight home
games.
"We scored two goals in the first half and could have had two or
three more.
"2-0 is never enough against a Stuart Pearce side and they showed
that when they pulled a goal back with almost half an hour
left.
"We knew we had to score a third goal, though, at the end, two was
enough, but we made it difficult for ourselves as we should have
scored more goals.
"We have won four of our five games after playing in Europe which
is worth a compliment.
"Last year a lot was made of teams not playing well after European
games, but we have showed a lot of character."
Citizens boss Stuart Pearce said he could understand why one
disgruntled fan attempted to confront him in the dug-out following
Spurs' second goal.
He added: "I was frustrated and, had I been a fan, I would have
vented my anger.
"The performance of the team dictated people's reactions and in the
first 45 minute, it was unacceptable and I was pleased we were only
2-0 down.
"The only good thing was that nobody vented their anger after our
second-half performance, when we rolled up our sleeves and maybe we
deserved a point over the 90 minutes."