In the race for the Premier League, the outcome of Man City's clash against Tottenham on Sunday is massive. Roberto Mancini's side are five points ahead of Spurs, while afterwards, they will hope Arsenal can do them a favour at the Emirates when Man United visit. The two have gone head-to-head in some classics down the years and we've picked six of our favourites, while City put five past Tottenham at White Hart Lane at the start of the season, so the north Londoners will be keen to avoid another embarrassment. Game on!
STEVE MACKENZIE AND RICKY Villa'S WEMBLEY WONDERS
As a result of Ricky Villa's spectacular mazy run to put Tottenham 3-2 in front and ultimately win the 1981 FA Cup final replay, City midfielder Mackenzie's excellent volley is often forgotten. The first game between the two ended 1-1 and the final was replayed for the first time since Chelsea and Leeds' 1970 match. City, who were led by John Bond, father of Tottenham's current assistant manager Kevin, went behind after eight minutes when Argentine Villa put Keith Burkinshaw's side ahead. Mackenzie, however, powered his side back into the game and Kevin Reeves' penalty shortly after the interval put City into the lead, but Garth Crooks and Villa again wrapped up victory in style.
STEVE MACKENZIE'S SUPER STRIKE
RICKY VILLA'S DAZZLING DISPLAY
HOOLIGANS INTERRUPT 1993 FA CUP QUARTER FINAL
Terry Phelan's wonderful solo goal to score Man City's second of the match counted for nothing in the end as Tottenham, Cup winners in 1991, had already put four past Tony Coton, with Nayim scoring a hat-trick at Maine Road. Steve Sedgley scored Spurs' other goal and Mike Sheron got City's, but after Phelan made it 4-2, some 'fans' decided to invade the pitch, fight with other similarly simple-minded people, which forced the referee to call the players off the pitch, while police horses were called into action. Tottenham's FA Cup run ended with a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in the semi final.
DEFOE AND MALBRANQUE KEEP TOTTENHAM ON COURSE FOR A WEMBLEY FINAL
Once again Tottenham ended any hopes City had of winning some silverware, with a place in the League Cup semi final up for grabs on this occasion. Tottenham were already a goal ahead when Didier Zokora was sent off after just 20 minutes and a late effort from Steed Malbranque set up a derby clash with Arsenal, which led to a memorable 5-1 win. Today City have the luxury of picking between a glamourous forward line of Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko City, so it is hard to imagine a time when the club were forced to make do with Darius Vassell and Rolando Bianchi spearheading the attack, as they did in this December 2007 clash.
Peter Crouch'S GOAL SENDS TOTTENHAM TO THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
With a place in Europe's premier club competition on offer, the two teams entered the final 10 minutes of the penultimate game of the 2009/10 season goalless. However, with eight minutes remaining, Tottenham striker Peter Crouch headed his side into the lead at Eastlands. The win and vital three points that came with it were enough for Spurs to qualify for the Champions League for the first time and Harry Redknapp's side went all the way to the quarter finals the following year, where Real Madrid ended the run.
PETER CROUCH'S OWN GOAL SENDS MAN CITY TO THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
His goal the previous year secured Champions League football for Tottenham at the expense of City, who were forced to watch as Spurs celebrated victory on their own turf. A year later, Crouch's own goal sealed a place in the competition for Roberto Mancini's side. The striker deflected James Milner's cross past Carlo Cudicini and the home fans could at last scream with delight as they exacted revenge on the north Londoners.
CITY'S CLASSIC CUP COMEBACK STUNS TOTTENHAM
“It was the Cup tie of my lifetime, really,” Man City manager Kevin Keegan said after his side recovered from a 3-0 half-time deficit and a one man disadvantage to win 4-3. Their 2004 FA Cup fourth round replay against Tottenham has since gone down as one of the greatest comebacks in football, with Jon Macken – now plying his trade at League One strugglers Walsall– scoring the winner right at the death. City's Cup run was ended in the following round by rivals Man United, who dumped them out of the competition courtesy of a 4-2 win.
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