Match Preview: Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City
White Hart Lane, London N17 - The World Famous Home of the Spurs
Wednesday 16th December 2009, Kick Off 20:00
Premier League, Match 17 (16 for City)
Tottenham Hotspur: 5th in Premier League, 27 points from 48
Manchester City: 6th in Premier League, 26 points from 45
Referee:
Assistant referees:
Fourth official:
COMMENT:
Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester City at White Hart Lane on Wednesday evening after the disappointment of losing at home to Woves on Saturday 0-1. Spurs are currently in a slump which has seen them pick-up only two points out of the last 9 available, with away draws at Aston Villa and Everton. Manchester City's recent form has been marked by a series of draws and another one was recorded on Saturday when City shared six goals away at Bolton Wanderers. Carlos Tevez scored twice and Micha Richards grabbed the other as City came back from being behind three times in an exciting match at the Reebok Stadium.
Spurs have a very good record against Manchester City in the Premier League and it includes a run of 10 wins in the last 11 matches in all competitions. City have only beaten Spurs once at White Hart Lane in the Premier League and that was back in April 2003 when they won 2-0. Last season Spurs did the "Double" over City winning both matches 2-1. The Spurs goalscorers were Darren Bent, who got both goals at the City of Manchester Stadium in November and Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane who scored at White Hart Lane in May.
TEAM NEWS:
Harry Redknapp will make a late decision on the fitness of Jermaine Jenas ahead of Wednesday night's clash against City. The midfielder missed Saturday's loss against Wolves after a bout of food poisoning. "It was JJ's first day back in today." said Harry after training on Tuesday. "He's been a bit rough. We'll see how he is tomorrow. It's a close call." Harry also insisted Luka Modric would remain on the bench against City having returned from a three-month injury absence against Wolves. Luka came on for the final half-hour on Saturday.
"He couldn't train on Monday because he was so sore," explained Harry. "He's not quite ready for a start. He's trained hard but there is nothing like playing matches and the game took its toll." Harry added that neither Ledley King (knee) or Jonathan Woodgate (groin) were ready to return and remain on the sidelines with goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, who is making good progress from wrist and pelvic injuries.
Manchester City will be without Craig Bellamy, who is suspended following his red card at the weekend. Shaun Wright-Phillips is definitely out after aggravating an ankle injury. Michael Johnson's knee injury is expected to take another 7 months while Wayne Bridge MCL knee ligament injury will keep him out of contention for at least another 7 weeks.
MATCH FACTS:
Head-to-head
• Tottenham have dominated meetings between these sides in the Premier League, with 17 wins to Manchester City's three. There have been four draws.
• City have lost on their last five visits to White Hart Lane 2-1.
Tottenham Hotspur
• Spurs have not won since beating Wigan 9-1 on 22 November.
• If they beat City, it will be their 800th home win in the top flight.
• Tottenham have not drawn at home in the league for 14 matches, since a 0-0 draw with Arsenal in February. This is their longest streak without a home draw for 22 years.
• Tottenham have a 100% record when leading at half time, winning five out of five.
Manchester City
• City are undefeated in 13 games in all competitions (10 in the Premier League).
• They have drawn their last five away matches.
• City have lost their last four Premier League games in London, scoring just one goal.
• Emmanuel Adebayor scored six goals in seven league games against Tottenham while an Arsenal player.
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS:
Tottenham Hotspur (L 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers, H):
Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Huddlestone, Palacios (Modric 58), Kranjcar (Dos Santos 78), Defoe, Keane (Crouch 58).
Subs Not Used: Alnwick, Hutton, Bale, Rose.
Manchester City (D 3-3 Bolton Wanderers, A):
Given, Richards, Sylvinho, Lescott, Toure, Kompany (Robinho 72), Wright-Phillips (Ireland 20), Barry, Adebayor (Santa Cruz 83), Tevez,
Bellamy
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Onuoha, Zabaleta, Petrov
Goals: Tevez 28, 77, Richards 45+2
MARK LAWRENSON'S PREDICTION (BBC):
To follow later.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Saturday's match will be the 139th meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
The clubs met in the 1981 FA Cup Final which required a replay. Both matches were held at Wembley Stadium.
Here are the results of the previous 138 matches with Spurs' score shown first:
16-Jan-1909
F.A. Cup 1 20,000A W 4 - 3 Morris (pen), Minter (2), Steel R
F.A. Cup 1 20,000A W 4 - 3 Morris (pen), Minter (2), Steel R27-Dec-10Division 1 28,000H D 1 - 1 Tull
Division 1 28,000H D 1 - 1 Tull 03-Jan-11Division 1 10,000A L 1 - 2 Kennedy
Division 1 10,000A L 1 - 2 Kennedy 05-Apr-12Division 1 39,800A L 1 - 2 Newman
Division 1 39,800A L 1 - 2 Newman 08-Apr-12Division 1 20,000H L 0 - 2
Division 1 20,000H L 0 - 2 25-Dec-12Division 1 30,000A D 2 - 2 Cantrell, Middlemiss
Division 1 30,000A D 2 - 2 Cantrell, Middlemiss 26-Dec-12Division 1 20,000H W 4 - 0 Minter, Cantrell (3)
Division 1 20,000H W 4 - 0 Minter, Cantrell (3) 27-Sep-13Division 1 30,513H W 3 - 1 Minter (2), Cantrell
Division 1 30,513H W 3 - 1 Minter (2), Cantrell 24-Jan-14Division 1 30,000A L 1 - 2 Sparrow
Division 1 30,000A L 1 - 2 Sparrow 31-Jan-14F.A. Cup 2 36,256A L 1 - 2 Bliss
F.A. Cup 2 36,256A L 1 - 2 Bliss 26-Sep-14Division 1 13,000A L 1 - 2 Sparrow
Division 1 13,000A L 1 - 2 Sparrow 15-Mar-15Division 1 6,000H D 2 - 2 Minter, Sparrow
Division 1 6,000H D 2 - 2 Minter, Sparrow 12-Feb-21Division 1 32,000H W 2 - 0 Cantrell, Dimmock
Division 1 32,000H W 2 - 0 Cantrell, Dimmock 09-Mar-21Division 1 30,000A L 0 - 2
Division 1 30,000A L 0 - 2 04-Feb-22Division 1 20,000A D 3 - 3 Wilson, Bliss (2)
Division 1 20,000A D 3 - 3 Wilson, Bliss (2) 11-Feb-22Division 1 43,000H W 3 - 1 Grimsdell, Bliss, Dimmock
Division 1 43,000H W 3 - 1 Grimsdell, Bliss, Dimmock18-Feb-22F.A. Cup 3 53,810H W 2 - 1 Wilson, Bliss
F.A. Cup 3 53,810H W 2 - 1 Wilson, Bliss 03-Mar-23Division 1 27,963H W 3 - 1 Walden, Seed, Handley
Division 1 27,963H W 3 - 1 Walden, Seed, Handley 14-Mar-23Division 1 25,000A L 0 - 3
Division 1 25,000A L 0 - 3 01-Jan-24Division 1 24,000A L 0 - 1
Division 1 24,000A L 0 - 1 21-Apr-24Division 1 11,739H W 4 - 1 Elkes, Lindsay, Hargreaves (2)
Division 1 11,739H W 4 - 1 Elkes, Lindsay, Hargreaves (2)10-Nov-24Division 1 10,781H D 1 - 1 Smith
Division 1 10,781H D 1 - 1 Smith 02-May-25Division 1 10,000A L 0 - 1
Division 1 10,000A L 0 - 1 05-Sep-25Division 1 35,594H W 1 - 0 Seed
Division 1 35,594H W 1 - 0 Seed 16-Jan-26Division 1 25,244A D 0 - 0
Division 1 25,244A D 0 - 0 11-Jan-30F.A. Cup 3 37,000H D 2 - 2 Osborne, Cook
F.A. Cup 3 37,000H D 2 - 2 Osborne, Cook 14-Jan-30F.A. Cup 3 Replay37,716A L 1 - 4 Thompson
F.A. Cup 3 Replay37,716A L 1 - 4 Thompson 02-Dec-33Division 1 38,021A L 0 - 2
Division 1 38,021A L 0 - 2 14-Apr-34Division 1 24,576H W 5 - 1 O'Callaghan (2), Hunt GS (2), Evans W
Division 1 24,576H W 5 - 1 O'Callaghan (2), Hunt GS (2), Evans W03-Nov-34Division 1 28,802A L 1 - 3 Evans W
Division 1 28,802A L 1 - 3 Evans W 12-Jan-35F.A. Cup 3 48,983H W 1 - 0 Evans W
F.A. Cup 3 48,983H W 1 - 0 Evans W 16-Mar-35Division 1 43,572H D 0 - 0
Division 1 43,572H D 0 - 0 05-Nov-38Division 2 47,998A L 0 - 2
Division 2 47,998A L 0 - 2 11-Mar-39Division 2 27,426H L 2 - 3 Hitchens, Hall GW
Division 2 27,426H L 2 - 3 Hitchens, Hall GW 28-Sep-46Division 2 55,253H D 0 - 0
Division 2 55,253H D 0 - 0 01-Feb-47Division 2 41,645A L 0 - 1
Division 2 41,645A L 0 - 1 06-Oct-51Division 1 58,163H L 1 - 2 Bennett
Division 1 58,163H L 1 - 2 Bennett 16-Feb-52Division 1 39,080A D 1 - 1 Walters
Division 1 39,080A D 1 - 1 Walters 27-Aug-52Division 1 33,621A W 1 - 0 Duquemin
Division 1 33,621A W 1 - 0 Duquemin 01-Sep-52Division 1 41,113H D 3 - 3 Ramsey (pen), McClellan, Robb
Division 1 41,113H D 3 - 3 Ramsey (pen), McClellan, Robb24-Oct-53Division 1 37,577H W 3 - 0 Duquemin, Robb (2)
Division 1 37,577H W 3 - 0 Duquemin, Robb (2) 30-Jan-54F.A. Cup 4 51,182A W 1 - 0 Bennett
F.A. Cup 4 51,182A W 1 - 0 Bennett 17-Mar-54Division 1 9,984A L 1 - 4 Marchi
Division 1 9,984A L 1 - 4 Marchi 11-Dec-54Division 1 27,052A D 0 - 0
Division 1 27,052A D 0 - 0 05-Mar-55Division 1 35,358H D 2 - 2 Duquemin (2)
Division 1 35,358H D 2 - 2 Duquemin (2) 12-Nov-55Division 1 24,094A W 2 - 1 McClellan, Dunmore
Division 1 24,094A W 2 - 1 McClellan, Dunmore 17-Mar-56F.A. Cup SF 69,788SF L 0 - 1
F.A. Cup SF 69,788SF L 0 - 1 24-Mar-56Division 1 31,622H W 2 - 1 Brooks (pen), Smith R
Division 1 31,622H W 2 - 1 Brooks (pen), Smith R 22-Aug-56Division 1 32,718A D 2 - 2 Medwin, Brooks
Division 1 32,718A D 2 - 2 Medwin, Brooks 29-Aug-56Division 1 33,443H W 3 - 2 Medwin, Harmer (pen), Smith R
Division 1 33,443H W 3 - 2 Medwin, Harmer (pen), Smith R28-Sep-57Division 1 22,497A L 1 - 5 Brannigan og
Division 1 22,497A L 1 - 5 Brannigan og 08-Feb-58Division 1 37,539H W 5 - 1 Smith R (3), Brooks, Robb
Division 1 37,539H W 5 - 1 Smith R (3), Brooks, Robb 01-Nov-58Division 1 30,601A L 1 - 5 Smith R
Division 1 30,601A L 1 - 5 Smith R 21-Mar-59Division 1 34,493H W 3 - 1 Medwin, Smith R, Jones (pen)
Division 1 34,493H W 3 - 1 Medwin, Smith R, Jones (pen)31-Oct-59Division 1 45,506A W 2 - 1 Mackay, Jones
Division 1 45,506A W 2 - 1 Mackay, Jones 16-Apr-60Division 1 49,767H L 0 - 1
Division 1 49,767H L 0 - 1 10-Oct-60Division 1 58,916H D 1 - 1 Smith R
Division 1 58,916H D 1 - 1 Smith R 25-Feb-61Division 1 40,278A W 1 - 0 Medwin
Division 1 40,278A W 1 - 0 Medwin 14-Oct-61Division 1 40,561H W 2 - 0 Medwin, White, Greaves (2), Jones
Division 1 40,561H W 2 - 0 Medwin, White, Greaves (2), Jones03-Mar-62Division 1 31,706A L 2 - 6 Greaves (2)
Division 1 31,706A L 2 - 6 Greaves (2) 01-Sep-62Division 1 48,758H W 4 - 2 Blanchflower (pen), Medwin, Greaves, Jones
Division 1 48,758H W 4 - 2 Blanchflower (pen), Medwin, Greaves, Jones11-May-63Division 1 27,784A L 0 - 1
Division 1 27,784A L 0 - 1 08-Oct-66Division 1 32,551A W 2 - 1 Gilzean (2)
Division 1 32,551A W 2 - 1 Gilzean (2) 25-Feb-67Division 1 33,832H D 1 - 1 Robertson
Division 1 33,832H D 1 - 1 Robertson 09-Dec-67Division 1 35,792A L 1 - 4 Greaves
Division 1 35,792A L 1 - 4 Greaves 04-May-68Division 1 51,242H L 1 - 3 Greaves (pen)
Division 1 51,242H L 1 - 3 Greaves (pen) 12-Oct-68Division 1 38,019A L 0 - 4
Division 1 38,019A L 0 - 4 14-Dec-68Division 1 28,462H D 1 - 1 England
Division 1 28,462H D 1 - 1 England 01-Mar-69F.A. Cup 6 48,872A L 0 - 1
F.A. Cup 6 48,872A L 0 - 1 13-Sep-69Division 1 41,644H L 0 - 3
Division 1 41,644H L 0 - 3 13-Dec-69Division 1 29,216A D 1 - 1 Johnson
Division 1 29,216A D 1 - 1 Johnson 26-Sep-70Division 1 42,490H W 2 - 0 Gilzean, Chivers
Division 1 42,490H W 2 - 0 Gilzean, Chivers 01-May-71Division 1 19,761A W 1 - 0 Perryman
Division 1 19,761A W 1 - 0 Perryman 28-Aug-71Division 1 33,683A L 0 - 4
Division 1 33,683A L 0 - 4 08-Jan-72Division 1 36,470H D 1 - 1 Peters
Division 1 36,470H D 1 - 1 Peters 16-Sep-72Division 1 31,755A L 1 - 2 Peters
Division 1 31,755A L 1 - 2 Peters 10-Feb-73Division 1 30,944H L 2 - 3 Chivers (2)
Division 1 30,944H L 2 - 3 Chivers (2) 15-Dec-73Division 1 17,066H L 0 - 2
Division 1 17,066H L 0 - 2 02-Feb-74Division 1 24,652A D 0 - 0
Division 1 24,652A D 0 - 0 21-Aug-74Division 1 31,549A L 0 - 1
Division 1 31,549A L 0 - 1 28-Aug-74Division 1 20,079H L 1 - 2 Peters
Division 1 20,079H L 1 - 2 Peters 18-Oct-75Division 1 30,554H D 2 - 2 Jones (2)
Division 1 30,554H D 2 - 2 Jones (2) 22-Nov-75Division 1 31,457A L 1 - 2 Osgood
Division 1 31,457A L 1 - 2 Osgood 11-Dec-76Division 1 24,608H D 2 - 2 Taylor (2)
Division 1 24,608H D 2 - 2 Taylor (2) 07-May-77Division 1 37,919A L 0 - 5
Division 1 37,919A L 0 - 5 23-Sep-78Division 1 43,471A L 0 - 2
Division 1 43,471A L 0 - 2 03-Feb-79Division 1 32,037H L 0 - 3
Division 1 32,037H L 0 - 3 01-Sep-79Division 1 30,901H W 2 - 1 Jones, Hoddle
Division 1 30,901H W 2 - 1 Jones, Hoddle 12-Jan-80Division 1 34,837A D 1 - 1 Hoddle
Division 1 34,837A D 1 - 1 Hoddle 22-Oct-80Division 1 28,788A L 1 - 3 Hoddle
Division 1 28,788A L 1 - 3 Hoddle 13-Dec-80Division 1 23,883H W 2 - 1 Archibald, Hoddle
Division 1 23,883H W 2 - 1 Archibald, Hoddle 09-May-81F.A. Cup Final 100,000WemD 1 - 1 Hutchinson og
F.A. Cup Final 100,000WemD 1 - 1 Hutchinson og 14-May-81F.A. Cup Final Replay 96,000WemW 3 - 2 Villa (2), Crooks
F.A. Cup Final Replay 96,000WemW 3 - 2 Villa (2), Crooks 26-Sep-81Division 1 39,085A W 1 - 0 Falco
Division 1 39,085A W 1 - 0 Falco 20-Feb-82Division 1 46,181H W 2 - 0 Hoddle (2, 1pen)
Division 1 46,181H W 2 - 0 Hoddle (2, 1pen) 11-Sep-82Division 1 32,483H L 1 - 2 Mabbutt
Division 1 32,483H L 1 - 2 Mabbutt 05-Feb-83Division 1 26,357A D 2 - 2 Gibson, Brooke (pen)
Division 1 26,357A D 2 - 2 Gibson, Brooke (pen) 16-Aug-84Friendly - A W 2 - 0 Roberts (pen), Galvin
Friendly - A W 2 - 0 Roberts (pen), Galvin 31-Aug-85Division 1 27,789A L 1 - 2 Miller
Division 1 27,789A L 1 - 2 Miller 18-Jan-86Division 1 17,009H L 0 - 2
Division 1 17,009H L 0 - 2 30-Aug-86Division 1 23,164H W 1 - 0 Roberts
Division 1 23,164H W 1 - 0 Roberts 15-Apr-87Division 1 21,460A D 1 - 1 Claesen
Division 1 21,460A D 1 - 1 Claesen 28-Aug-89Division 1 32,004A D 1 - 1 Gascoigne
Division 1 32,004A D 1 - 1 Gascoigne 13-Jan-90Division 1 26,384H D 1 - 1 Howells
Division 1 26,384H D 1 - 1 Howells 25-Aug-90Division 1 33,501H W 3 - 1 Gascoigne, Lineker (2)
Division 1 33,501H W 3 - 1 Gascoigne, Lineker (2) 15-Dec-90Division 1 31,236A L 1 - 2 Gascoigne
Division 1 31,236A L 1 - 2 Gascoigne 19-Oct-91Division 1 30,502H L 0 - 1
Division 1 30,502H L 0 - 1 01-Feb-92Division 1 30,123A L 0 - 1
Division 1 30,123A L 0 - 1 28-Oct-92League Cup 3 18,399A W 1 - 0 Samways
League Cup 3 18,399A W 1 - 0 Samways 28-Nov-92FA Prem 25,496A W 1 - 0 Watson
FA Prem 25,496A W 1 - 0 Watson 07-Mar-93F.A. Cup 6 34,050A W 4 - 2 Nayim (3), Sedgley
F.A. Cup 6 34,050A W 4 - 2 Nayim (3), Sedgley 24-Mar-93FA Prem 27,247H W 3 - 1 Anderton, Nayim, Turner
FA Prem 27,247H W 3 - 1 Anderton, Nayim, Turner 21-Aug-93FA Prem 24,535H W 1 - 0 Sedgley
FA Prem 24,535H W 1 - 0 Sedgley 11-Dec-93FA Prem 21,566A W 2 - 0 Dozzell (2)
FA Prem 21,566A W 2 - 0 Dozzell (2) 22-Oct-94FA Prem 25,473A L 2 - 5 Dumitrescu (2, 1pen)
FA Prem 25,473A L 2 - 5 Dumitrescu (2, 1pen) 11-Apr-95FA Prem 27,410H W 2 - 1 Howells, Klinsmann
FA Prem 27,410H W 2 - 1 Howells, Klinsmann 19-Aug-95FA Prem 30,827A D 1 - 1 Sheringham
FA Prem 30,827A D 1 - 1 Sheringham 13-Jan-96FA Prem 31,438H W 1 - 0 Armstrong
FA Prem 31,438H W 1 - 0 Armstrong 23-Sep-2000FA Prem 36,069H D 0 - 0
FA Prem 36,069H D 0 - 0 10-Feb-01FA Prem 34,399A W 1 - 0 Rebrov
FA Prem 34,399A W 1 - 0 Rebrov 23-Dec-02FA Prem 39,563A W 3 - 2 Perry, Davies, Poyet
FA Prem 39,563A W 3 - 2 Perry, Davies, Poyet 18-Apr-03FA Prem 36,075H L 0 - 2
FA Prem 36,075H L 0 - 2 28-Sep-03FA Prem 46,842A D 0 - 0
FA Prem 46,842A D 0 - 0 03-Dec-03League Cup 4 31,727H W 3 - 1 Anderton, Postiga, Kanoute
League Cup 4 31,727H W 3 - 1 Anderton, Postiga, Kanoute25-Jan-04F.A. Cup 4 47,000A D 1 - 1 Doherty
F.A. Cup 4 47,000A D 1 - 1 Doherty 03-Feb-04F.A. Cup 4 Replay30,400H L 3 - 4 King, Keane, Ziege
F.A. Cup 4 Replay30,400H L 3 - 4 King, Keane, Ziege 12-Apr-04FA Prem 35,282H D 1 - 1 Defoe
FA Prem 35,282H D 1 - 1 Defoe 11-Dec-04FA Prem 45,805A W 1 - 0 Kanoute
FA Prem 45,805A W 1 - 0 Kanoute 19-Mar-05FA Prem 35,681H W 2 - 1 Defoe, Keane
FA Prem 35,681H W 2 - 1 Defoe, Keane 04-Jan-06FA Prem 40,808A W 2 - 0 Mido, Keane
FA Prem 40,808A W 2 - 0 Mido, Keane 08-Apr-06FA Prem 36,167H W 2 - 1 Stalteri, Carrick
FA Prem 36,167H W 2 - 1 Stalteri, Carrick 17-Dec-06FA Prem 39,825A W 2 - 1 Davenport, Huddlestone
FA Prem 39,825A W 2 - 1 Davenport, Huddlestone 13-May-07FA Prem 35,426H W 2 - 1 Keane, Berbatov
FA Prem 35,426H W 2 - 1 Keane, Berbatov 09-Dec-07FA Prem 35,646H W 2 - 1 Chimbonda, Defoe
FA Prem 35,646H W 2 - 1 Chimbonda, Defoe 15-Mar-08FA Prem 40,188A L 1 - 2 Keane
FA Prem 40,188A L 1 - 2 Keane 18-Dec-07League Cup 5 38,564A W 2 - 0 Defoe, Malbranque
League Cup 5 38,564A W 2 - 0 Defoe, Malbranque 09-Nov-08FA Prem 41,853A W 2 - 1 Bent (2)
FA Prem 41,853A W 2 - 1 Bent (2) 16-May-09FA Prem 36,000 H W 2 - 1 Defoe, Keane (pen)
FA Prem 36,000 H W 2 - 1 Defoe, Keane (pen) 16-Dec-09FA Prem H
FA Prem H 07-Mar-10FA Prem A
FA Prem A LAST TIME WE MET...
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Manchester City
16th May 2009, Premier League, White Hart Lane
A late penalty from Tottenham striker Robbie Keane extinguished Manchester City's European hopes despite a brave rearguard action by the visitors.
Jermain Defoe capped a vibrant opening period for Harry Redknapp's men with an audacious back-heeled opener.
City hit back when sub Valeri Bojinov rifled home a Benjani knock-down to claim his first goal for the club.
But Keane beat Shay Given from the spot late on after Micah Richards had brought down Fraizer Campbell.
The victory maintains Harry Redknapp's hopes of guiding Tottenham to a Europa League place, an achievement that would represent a remarkable turnaround in the fortunes of a club languishing at the foot of the Premier League table when he arrived last October.
But for City Europe is now beyond reach, potentially undermining the club's leverage in the summer transfer as well as raising the temperature on manager Mark Hughes.
Dispensing with the cautious approach that yielded a point at Goodison Park last time out, Redknapp fielded three forwards, with Keane tucked in on the left side of midfield behind Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko.
The initial result was an unfettered attacking display that had City goalkeeper Given working overtime.
At the forefront of Tottenham's early enterprise was Defoe, who had an effort ruled out for offside before forcing two sprawling saves from Given, who also got down well to a Pavlyuchenko effort.
The inevitable breakthrough for Tottenham came with the half-hour mark approaching, Jermaine Jenas feeding Tom Huddlestone, whose sweeping cross was impudently back-heeled in by the airborne Defoe.
A strange sub-plot to the period surrounding Defoe's opener was the absence of City midfielder Elano, who left the visitors with ten men after departing the field with an eye problem.
How far his presence would have altered events is debatable, however, for City's impact on the opening half was negligible.
Their only first-half chance fell to Felipe Caicedo, but the Ecuador striker's weak effort was comfortably gathered by the Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.
With the interval approaching Keane spurned two opportunities to stretch Tottenham's lead, first from a Benoit Assou-Ekotto cross that should have been cut out by Richard Dunne and then when he failed to connect with a volley after chesting down Huddlestone's lobbed pass.
City regrouped at the break, but had nothing tangible to show for their efforts until Hughes made a double substitution in the shape of forward pairing Bojinov and Benjani.
Within minutes City were level, Benjani nodding down for Bojinov, who gleefully drove home his first Premier League goal.
Suddenly, Tottenham were on the back foot, their first-half verve a distant memory.
But with the final whistle beckoning, Richards bundled over Campbell, leaving Keane to send Given the wrong way from the resulting penalty.
A lively finale saw Benjani waste a golden opportunity to equalise when he headed over from inside the six-yard box, while Defoe sent a sliding effort narrowly wide.
But it was not to be for City, who must now come to terms with the end of their European dream while Tottenham contemplate a final-day visit to Liverpool in the race for seventh place.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp:
"We dominated the first half and came in at half-time feeling we should have been out of sight.
"In the second half we never got going and lost our way a bit.
"But we got the penalty in the end and I thought it was nailed-on because the lad clambered all over him. We've been on a great run."
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes:
"We thought it was a poor decision from Mark Halsey.
"The ball was nowhere near the lad, he just fell over in the box. There was hardly any contact and that happens.
"The referee may have had an angle that allowed him to think the lad had a goal-scoring chance, but really it was a poor decision."
Tottenham Hotspur:
Gomes, Corluka, Woodgate (Hutton 46), King, Assou-Ekotto, Huddlestone, Keane, Jenas (Zokora 67), Modric, Pavlyuchenko (Campbell 75), Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Bale, Bentley, Chimbonda.
Goals: Defoe 29, Keane 86 pen.
Manchester City:
Given, Richards, Dunne, Onuoha, Bridge, Kompany, De Jong, Ireland, Elano (Zabaleta 32), Petrov (Bojinov 61), Caicedo (Mwaruwari 61). Subs Not Used: Hart, Fernandes, Sturridge, Berti.
Booked: Zabaleta.
Goals: Bojinov 65.
Att: 36,000
Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Tottenham Hotspur's Jermain Defoe
Tottenham Hotspur Match Preview: Season 2009-10
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