Georgios Samaras nicked a consolation but it was always going to be Tottenham's day as David James kept out shot after shot with some stunning saves - Carrick, Robbie Keane and Anthony Gardner were all denied by James, who silenced the home fans' chants of ‘England's number four'.
Spurs made the brighter start but Martin Jol's side squandered two excellent chances in the space of a minute with Mido failing to capitalise on James rushing out from his line and Keane proving equally wasteful with an attempted chip. James's heroics could not stop Tottenham taking the lead though.
City's belief grew after slashing the deficit and Stuart Pearce will have been encouraged by their second-half display. They could even have equalised but Micah Richards failed to bury a good chance.
Spurs fans were subjected to an uncomfortable finish as City searched in vain for the equaliser.