Tottenham Hotspur have made their presence well and truly felt in the race for the title with a 2-1 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs were the recipients of a questionable handball call on Raheem Sterling with referee Martin Atkinson pointing to the spot after Danny Rose's cross from the left struck the elbow of the winger who appeared to have his arm tucked into his body when the ball made contact.
Nevertheless, the spot-kick was awarded to the visitors and Harry Kane made no mistake by firing straight down the middle, sending England teammate Joe Hart the wrong way to give Spurs a 53rd-minute lead.
City replied through Kelechi Iheanacho in the 74th minute when he neatly fired home Gael Clichy's low pass with his left foot but Tottenham had the last laugh.
Birthday boy Christian Eriksen tacked onto a through ball from second-half sub Erik Lamela and poked beyond Hart to give the North Londoners maximum points.
Spurs are now just two points behind league leaders Leicester while fourth-placed City remain six points behind following a second straight defeat at home.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Manchester City: 1 (Kelechi Iheanacho
Tottenham Hotspur: 2 (Harry Kane (PEN) 53', Christian Eriksen 83')
Etihad Stadium, Manchester - 54,551
TALKING POINTS
- Are City out of the race now? They do not appear to be showing too much spirit. Is the Pellegrini-Guardioila announcement playing on their minds?
- If Tottenham weren't definite title contenders before the weekend, they are now. A new maturity in their play which is more than getting the job done.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Man City head to Chelsea on the weekend for the FA Cup fifth round before making the trip to Ukraine to face Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg prior to the Capital One Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley on February 28. Their next league match is at Anfield against the Reds on March 2.
Tottenham are away to Fiorentina in the Europa League on Thursday night, host Crystal Palace in the FA Cup on Sunday, welcome Fiorentina to White Hart Lane next Thursday before a home league fixture with Swansea on February 28.
TWITTER INSIGHT
What a performance from the boys!! On to the next one #COYSpic.twitter.com/pgo0aYtisM
— Ben Davies (@Ben_Davies33) February 14, 2016
Feliz cumple! @ChrisEriksen8 partido importante y seguir luchando! / important game to keep fighting #COYS#THFCpic.twitter.com/eCgKyyU0Mm
— Erik Manuel Lamela (@ErikLamela) February 14, 2016
QUOTES CORNER
Man City's Pellegrini on the controversial penalty call against his side:
"More important than my view of penalty is that everyone saw what happened. Unfortunately for us it was the same referee, Clattenburg, as when we lost against Tottenham in the first round with two clear goals offside.
"It was a penalty that was decisive for the game. I don't have nothing more to say."
Tottenham boss Pochettino on the win:
"It was a very important victory, (we're) happy. I think our players deserve full credit for the performance.
"It was a big test for us. It is important to start to feel that when you come to a stadium like Manchester City to play against a big team you can win. It is very important for the future."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
15 - Harry Kane has now scored 15 goals in his last 17 Premier League appearances. Fortunate.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 14, 2016
5 - Christian Eriksen has had a hand in five goals (three goals, two assists) in his last five Premier League appearances for Spurs. Vital.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 14, 2016
1 - Man City have won just one of their 10 Premier League games against sides currently in the top eight this season (D3 L6). Problem.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 14, 2016
3 - Christian Eriksen is the third Tottenham player to score on his birthday in the PL (+ Sheringham, twice, & Adebayor). Cake.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 14, 2016
TEAM LEADERS
Man City
Goals - Sergio Aguero 14
Assists - Kevin De Bruyne 9
Clean sheets - Joe Hart 11
Yellow cards - Eliaquim Mangala, Fernandinho 6
Tottenham
Goals - Harry Kane 16
Assists - Christian Eriksen 10
Clean sheets - Hugo Lloris 9
Yellow cards - Eric Dier 8
