Sergio Aguero seals win for Manchester City over Tottenham

A Sergio Aguero goal after half an hour of play secured three points at White Hart Lane, as Manchester City kept the pressure on Arsenal to move second place in the Premier League.

It was, however, Spurs who started the brightest, after Martin Demichelis headed straight into the path of Christian Eriksen in his own half, who found Nacer Chadli, though the Belgian’s attempted cross to Harry Kane was cut out for a corner.

However, it was Eric Dier who really should capitalised from the resulting corner. Unmarked in the area, the Spurs defender headed wide of Joe Hart’s post. Two minutes later, Spurs cut City open again, as Erik Lamela slipped Harry Kane in through on goal, though his decision to take the shot on early cost him, as he fired wide.

Undoubtedly, the opening quarter belonged to the hosts, with Manuel Pellegrini’s men seemingly unorganised in defence, though on the half hour mark, the visitors were ahead. With Spurs attacking, City broke on the counter-attack, with David Silva sliding Aguero in on goal, who thundered it past Hugo Lloris to beat the Frenchman at his near post.

From then on, with the home fans silenced, City attempted to capitalise on their advantage. Fernandinho crashed an effort toward goal from long range, while on the stroke of half time, the Brazilian went through again, this time dragging his shot wide.

The second half was as lively as the first. We nearly had what could have been the goal of the season just past the hour mark, as Aguero played an elaborate 1-2 with Fernandinho on the edge of the area, with the Brazilian’s return a lobbed pass for the striker to connect to. He rounded Lloris, though couldn’t finish from a tight angle.

Meanwhile, moments earlier, at the other end, despite Kane’s best efforts he couldn’t beat Joe Hart, after going clear on goal, and found his shot blocked by the feet of the City keeper.

With 10 minutes remaining, Spurs pressed for the eqauliser, and twice went close through Paulinho, though in the end City held their nerve to crucially secure a top four Premier League finish.