Manchester City v Tottenham - in pictures

The last time these two sides met, Tottenham were mauled by City 5-1 on home soil. If Harry Redknapp's men are to have any realistic title ambitions they will have to redress that embarrassing failure today Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

With Emmanuel Adebayor ineligible for Tottenham (because he's still owned by City), Jermain Defoe is leading the Spurs attack Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters

Meanwhile, Gareth Bale (pictured) and Rafael van der Vaart are hoping to provide a further threat Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

However, neither side is able to get a stranglehold on the match in the opening half and clear chances are rare. Here, City's Micah Richards slips under the challenge of Tottenham's Benoît Assou-Ekotto Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA

By half-time the two teams cannot be separated Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

But within 11 minutes of the restart City are celebrating as Samir Nasri sweeps an intuitive shot beyond Brad Friedel following an exquisite pass from David Silva Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Three minutes later, Joleon Lescott bundles the ball over the line from a corner with a finish lacking in grace but tremendous in value Photograph: Jon Super/AP

However, Spurs respond immediately when Defoe latches onto a hopeless header from Stefan Savic before rounding the goalkeeper Joe Hart and slotting the ball calmly into the net from a tight angle Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

And then, you've guessed it, Bale curls a peachy first-time shot beyond Joe Hart's reach to make it 2-2! That's four goals in nine minutes Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

Mario Balotelli, on as a substitute, is soon the centre of attention as he clatters into Scott Parker. Replays suggest that the Italian stamped on Parker's head as he pirouetted to the floor. Certainly his right foot lashed out unnaturally in Parker's direction, but the referee either didn't see it or didn't deem it intentional Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters

The game continues to thrill until the closing stages when Bale races down the left flank and slides a pass across the face of goal towards Defoe at the back stick ... the striker lunges desperately at the ball and gets his studs to it, but it drifts agonisingly wide. It was like watching Gazza against Germany in 1996 Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

Inevitably, City also have one final attack ... Mario Balotelli runs into the box and is brought to ground by Ledley King who wraps his legs around the striker. Penalty? No debate. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Balotelli opts to take the spot-kick and, after staggering his run, beats Friedel Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

3-2 to City ... but how easily it could have been 2-3 to Spurs Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images

The final whistle blows and City's players walk off delighted with themselves. Balotelli has a cheeky grin on his face. He could have been made to walk off the pitch twenty minutes ago and the decision by the referee to spare him has clearly helped determine the outcome of this match. Final score: 3-2 Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images