Spurs 0 - 0 City: Match report and player ratings

On the way back from the game yesterday we stopped at Beaconsfield services (close enough to London to still get their local news) and on the ITV London bulletin they described the first half in the following words: "City are meant to be title contenders this season, but they were made to look like relegation candidates by Tottenham." Which, whilst City were overrun by Spurs in the first half, is still a bit of an exaggeration. Despite all my initial irritation at this and at other similar sentiments, in a way, it is flattering. From the outside people appear to think City are good enough to be going to White Hart Lane, the home of a Champions League side who we never beat (we have lost more times to Tottenham in the Premier League than to any other club), and to come away with something.

Then comes the constant refrain: "yes, but with the money you've spent..." There were never more than three new signings on the pitch yesterday compared to the side that lost abysmally there last season - and one, Kolarov, limped through forty minutes of those. So for all Spurs' first half domination and Joe Hart's heroics, this was still a marked improvement. On the face of it, a clean sheet and a point at White Hart Lane is a commendable start to the season.

The story of the game is Joe Hart. Mancini had left the goalkeeping debate open as late as the Friday morning press-conference, but Joe set about instantly vindicating Mancini's choice. City's tough core - with defensive midfielders protecting the back four - means the main threat City will face this season, as last season, is from outwide - Shay's weakness, Hart's strength. This was my main reason for backing Joe, but in forty-five minutes against Tottenham yesterday he showed that his shot-stopping is equal to the task also, with some exceptional reactions and one-on-one foiling.

Ahead of Joe, both Kompany and Kolo Toure were excellent - with both producing heroic blocks at crucial moments. The main danger came from Bale who, as possibly the best left-winger in the Premiership at the moment, was always going to give Micah problems. Lennon, on the otherside, is always dangerous on account of his pace but never gives the impression that he knows what he is doing.

Captain Carlos was a bundle of energy and was always looking to be involved in play, but I don't believe he can play as the lone striker. There were many times that he would come back and pick up the ball alongside De Jong, only to look up and find no forward option. He plays the second striker role perfectly, but he needs a partner to make the runs beyond the defence. Perhaps Super Mario is destined to be this man. Saying that, I don't think there is a better defensive partnership than King and Dawson in the Premiership, and Tottenham must only be hoping they could rely on their fitness in order to re-launch their own assault on the top-four.

The second half was a distinct improvement and a point from White Hart Lane is a good start to the campaign.

Player ratings:

Hart 9, Richards 6, Kolo Toure 8, Kompany 8, Kolarov 6 (Zabaleta 6), de Jong 7, Yaya Toure 7, Barry 7, Wright-Phillips 5 (Johnson 6), Silva 7, Tevez 7 (Adebayor 6).

Man of the match: Joe Hart