They kept cool heads in the first half, not allowing their frustration to mount and patiently waiting for the breakthrough but still, Spurs did not convince.
A series of excellent saves by James, most notably a twisting dive to turn a shot by Robbie Keane on to the bar, could not prevent City from falling to defeat.
Except when he tried to beat Aaron Lennon with tricky footwork instead of hoofing the ball clear, Mido should have taken advantage of the momentarily empty net.
City played with vigour but did not have enough firepower and eventually could not capitalise on Tottenham's fraying nerves during a fraught finale.