TOTTENHAM 0, MAN CITY 1
There was grudging praise for Chelsea on the day they won the Premier League title from Manuel Pellegrini, manager of former champions Manchester City whose victory at Tottenham guaranteed a top-four finish and Champions League football next season.
City’s manager admitted that his side won the title in style saying: “It is important for the fans to play attractive football. We did exactly the same that Chelsea did this year, but we scored 158 goals last year,” he said.
“We scored more goals in another style. May be Chelsea were the more consistent team, but I prefer to win it the way we did last season.
But goalkeeper Joe Hart admitted that City have not been good enough as he congratulated Chelsea.
“Their season is over, but not ours and we will fight to the end,” he said.
City gave their fans something to cheer as they triumphed at White Hart Lane thanks to a magnificent three-man move just short of the hour which ended with Sergio Aguero finding the net for a 10th time against Spurs.
A quick throw from Hart found David Silva who advanced from inside his own half on a mazy run before finding Aguero who, from the right of the box, fired high into the roof of the net inside the near post giving keeper Hugo Lloris no chance.
It was his 22nd Premier League goal of the season and strengthened his hope of winning the golden boot as his goal earned City their first away league win since February 11th and moved them three points clear of third-placed Arsenal.
City, who were without the injured Yaya Toure and also Jesus Navas, brought in James Milner and Fernandino as their replacements.
It was a tentative opening for City as Spurs could have scored two early goals from Eric Dier and Harry Kane.
City survived and started to impose themselves on the game as Aguero volleyed wide and then they ought to have won a penalty following a challenge by Fazio on Aguero.
Spurs had chances to equalise either side of half time as Ryan Mason and Kane were both denied by important blocks by Hart.
City could have won by a wider margin as Aguero shot wide when put through by Fernandino, Aleksandar Kolarov’s drive was tipped over by Lloris and they, too, should have been given a spot kick after a clumsy challenge by Danny Rose on Pablo Zabaleta.
In the latter stages of the game, Brazilian Paulinho had two great chances to equalise, but headed just wide and then be denied by Hart’s smart save and then Eric Lamela had a shot superbly tipped over the bar.
City substitute Wilfried Bony should have made it 2-0 to City, but shot wide at the near post as the game ended with Aguero’s goal proving to be the decider.
There was another injury blow for City as substitute Samir Nasri limped off little over one minute after making his entrance as he sustained a groin strain.