Ironically this was Spurs worst performance in the last four matches although some credit must be given to Pyscho’s organisational skills for this.
City played a containing game, with the occasional counter attack which Spurs found difficult to break down.
Mido was picked ahead of Kanoute to partner Defoe up front, but looked to be well short of being fully fit.
Both Michael Brown & Simon Davies excelled for Spurs in a very combative midfield tussle (The sort we lost with some aplomb last season) whilst the King/Naybet combination looked solid.
Spurs 1st goal owed more to pinball rather than football skills, but full credit to Defoe who was very alert to redirecting Simon Davies miscued attempt at goal.
This sparked City into action and they had one chance which was well waved by Paul Robinson before a Claudio Renya equaliser on the stroke of half time.
2nd Half commenced in the same manner as the 1st leaving the capacity crowd to amuse themselves mainly at the expense of David James.
The travelling support was pretty quite by previous years standards and seemed not that bothered about the result.
David James answered his critics by making a couple of good saves in the latter stages only to be let down by a City defender slip from which Simon Davies produced a perfect cross, which was deftly despatched by Robbie Keane.
Didn’t see the Atouba incident as this occurred at the same time as the goal, but did notice Joey Barton returning to the field sporting a bloodstained bandage.
There was also some “afters” between Atouba & Dunne for which they received yellow cards, not to be outdone Joey Barton managed to pick up a yellow as well.