0-2 v Manchester City - 18 April 2003 - Home

Manchester City sauntered past Tottenham Hotspur with a comfortable victory at White Hart Lane.

There was simply no case for Spurs' defence in the first half as it collapsed to allow David Sommeil and Joey Barton to score for the visitors.

And despite a spirited display after the interval, Glenn Hoddle's side could not find a way past City.

The defeat effectively ends any lingering hopes Tottenham may have harboured of a European spot next season.

City, who had not won or scored in their previous three outings and last recorded a Premiersihp victory in March against Birmingham, got off to a flying start.

Within 10 seconds, Nicholas Anelka was allowed space to unleash a right-foot shot that flew past Kasey Keller's post.

And before a full minute had elapsed Shaun Wright-Phillips should have put City ahead.

Spurs conceded possession on the edge of the area allowing the wing-back to dance forward, but his attempted lob sailed over Keller.

The hosts were clearly missing their commanding centre-half, Dean Richards, who was kept out of the game because of a back injury.

City sensed Tottenham's vulnerability and set about exploiting it in the most ruthless fashion.

On the back foot, Spurs gave away a corner and Sommeil rose unmarked to head City into a second-minute lead.

It was no less than City deserved but the generosity of the Spurs rearguard bordered on the ridiculous.

Kevin Keegan's decision to take Anelka and Robbie Fowler off after an hour against Middlesbrough last Saturday produced the desired effect as the pair worked tirelessly to create further openings.

Wright-Phillips was also brimming with energy and after a clever one-two with Ali Bernabia, the former struck a fierce drive that Keller matched with a brilliant tip-over.

City's slickness soon paid dividends when they doubled their advantage after yet more wayward Spurs defending.

Anelka was again given acres of space and although his attempted shot was weak, the rebound off Keller was kind and the Frenchman fed the ball to Barton, who slotted past the Spurs keeper.

Spurs were booed off at half time, the reaction of the fans understandable given the poverty of the performance.

But the introduction after the break of Kazuyuki Toda, making his Spurs debut since moving from Japan, and Chris Perry added some much-needed steel to the home side.

And only the excellence of Peter Schmeichel in the City goal prevented Spurs from reducing the deficit, denying Gus Poyet and Robbie Keane with smart saves.

The day, however, belonged to City and the result made it a very good Friday for Keegan's men.