Over and out

That's all from me this evening.

A disappointing evening all round with our 15-match unbeaten Premier League run coming to an end.

We will be back in action next Saturday when when we travel to Everton for another 5.30pm kick-off.

I hope you can join us for that one, but before then, you can check out all the match reaction below.

Highlights will be available from midnight on mancity.com, when you will also be able to watch a full-match replay on CITY+.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Blues and thanks as always for your company.

'Every goal is different'

More from the boss:

"Every goal is different. It was difficult to defend the second one especially when they come from five 10 yards behind. Third one was to the back post and we lost the game."

'Every game is a big, big battle'

Pep's verdict:

"I am not superstitious. I said a few weeks ago we need to win many games.

"Every game will be a big, big battle. We knew it and it will be good to understand how difficult it is. Since October we didn’t lose one game in the Premier League.

"I had the feeling they have fantastic players, fantastic managers. We knew after three defeats they would be back."

Our full-time verdict on a frustrating afternoon

'A wake-up call for City'

More from Ilkay:

“They were also ruthless in their finishing up front. We had a lot of chances and the possibility to score a few more goals, but we gave them the chances they had too easily. It didn’t feel like a bad game from us.

"They defended so, so deep, particularly towards the end of the first half. It’s not so easy. Sometimes you have these kind of games and you need to learn from it. It’s a wake-up call for us. There’s still a long way to go."

'Football is sometimes crazy'

Ilkay Gundogan's verdict:

“We kind of thought we’d rescued it. If you look at the whole game we deserved to win. But football is sometimes crazy and today we made easy mistakes.

"We gave them the ball to have possibilities to counter and that made us lose the game." 

Destiny is still in City's hands

More reaction from Joleon Lescott:

“We were not carried away when winning six or seven and we won’t know we have lost one.

“The reality is Spurs are a good team fighting for the top four, the outcome of the League, the Champions League and the FA Cup is still in our own hands.

“As long as the destiny is in your hands you take it.”

'Perfect Spurs game plan'

Joleon Lescott's full time verdict:

"Today was a perfect execution of a game plan . They knew long periods without the ball and they executed it to perfection."

Indeed...

A touch of perspective

The nature of this side is that we didn't get carried away with our superb run of form over the past few - and we won't allow this to define us either.

Just a reminder that football never ceases to surprise you.

And fair play to Spurs - they were a threat throughout.

However if there was one side you would back to respond in style it would be City. 

Tough one to take

Sting in the tail

Having drawn level with that Riyad Mahrez penalty I genuinely thought we would be the ones to claim the match winner.

Harry Kane though was in fine form from start to finish today and it was he who applied the final word.

What is it about playing Spurs here and stings in the tail?

FULL TIME

All over

Incredible

Spurs looked like they were clinging on but the l launched another attack down the right flank and from Kulusevski's cross Kane rose to head home from close range.

Mahrez to take

Penalty given!!

Here we go!!!

VAR check

Told you there would be drama.

Ref Taylor going to check the screen.

Seven minutes added time!!

Twist in the tale?

City fans urging the players on with cries of Stand Up for the Champions.

Still a final bit of drama to come? Let's hope so.

Almost

Walker's low cross fizzes through a crowd of bodies and it catches De Bruyne, Cancelo instantly the ball back in but it goes harmlessly behind.

Five minutes left plus significant injury time you would feel

Arggh

Gundo weaves hi way into the box and tries to get away a shot but it lacks penetration and is safely smothered by Lloris.

Meanwhile a number of Spurs layers drop to the turf.

Trying to eat up more vital time.

Lloris booked

The Spurs keeper is shown a yellow for deliberate time wasting.

Up and at em

Could that be the lift we need?

Would have been tough to come back from 3-1 down.

Arghh

KDB chips in another delightful ball, it skims off the head of Romero and Bernardo can only fire high and wide as he is at full stretch.

Pin ball in the Spurs box

Cancelo tries his luck again with a fizzing left wing cross.

The ricochets off Ben Davies is gratefully gathered by Lloris.

City about to step it up you feel.

Wide

City build down the left channel once more, this time through Cancelo.

His deft through ball finds Bernardo but his swivel and shot drifts harmlessly wide.

Still time

Half an hour to go here.

Still more than enough time to turn this around.

Danger man

Kane proving a real menace every time he gets the ball deep.

We need to marshal him closely

Spurs break

A fine Kane ball puts Son in facing Walker.

The Spurs man cuts inside and shots from 20 yards but its meat and drink for Ederson.

A reminder though of the visitors danger on the break.

So close!

Another De Bruyne corner causes mayhem in the Spurs box as Dias superbly flicks the ball on in inviting fashion into the heart of the box.

However no one is there to apply the finishing touch.

Set pieces a real source of joy for City again this evening

Danger signs

De Bruyne whips in a teasing corner which Royal heads behind.

From the next set piece Dias is there at the back post but can only find Lloris with his effort

As you were

No chnages from City at the break

SECOND HALF

We are back underway at the Etihad.

COME ON, CITY!!!

'Not much wrong from City'

Joleon Lescott on the second half prospects:

"I’ve seen Raheem come to the right a few times, but I think it will be more settled position wise.

"There’s not much wrong from City. Pep will be happy with what he’s asked the players to do. As long as they try to execute what he asks them to do, he’s happy."
 

'Spurs still in the game'

Ledley King's take on the first 45 minutes:

"Spurs had belief at the start of the game and got off to a great start. They continued to create a threat.

"At the moment, they’re still in the game. You can see they have a gameplan and they’ve worked on that.

"They’ve got the capabilities to hurt City. That’ll be disappointing to concede the goal, it was a bit of a cheap one."
 

'High tempo stuff'

Joleon Lescott's first half verdict:

"High tempo from both teams. I think the goal came how we expected it to come, high line from City and loads of space for Son and capitalised on it.

"I don’t think there’s many other chances for them besides the goal."
 

More to come from City!

Bit of a curate's egg that opening half.

Spurs started like an express train thanks to that goal and it took City a while to find our feet.

Gundogan's leveller was a real bonus but there is much more to come you would hope from Pep's men.

Hmm

A long Laporte ball is seriously over cooked as Cancelo scampers through.

City still to go up through the gears you feel

German bite

That strike took Ilkay level with Mesut Ozil as the leading German scorer in the Premier League with 33 goals.

Wunderbar!!

Crucial tackle

Vital interception there from Ruben Dias as Harry Kane looked poised to march through on goal.

The skipper earning his corn with one.

Driving force

City apply more pressure to the Spurs goal and another searching De Bruyne ball finally ends at the feet of Cancelo who tries his luck from just outside the box.

However the effort whizzes just the wrong side of the post,

City with the bit between our teeth now though.

Level best!!

The goal came out of nothing.

Sterling tried his luck with a curling effort from 25 yards, Lloris failed to gather and Gundogan made no mistake from close range.

His fifth Premier League goal of the season and such a timely one too.

Now that's a rarity

An Ederson pass flies straight into touch.

Not what we're used to from our Brazilian keeper.

Block stop

Now Emerson Royal shows great awareness to slide in and block Cancelo just as the full back was poised to shoot following an inviting short Sterling pass on the left side of the box.

No room for error there by the Spurs man.

Calling the shots

There's a brief break in play for a Spurs injury and Pep is passing on instructions to several players.

Both the boss and Antonio Conte have been in animated form on the touchline.

Alarm call

Now Son is inches away from gathering Harry Kane's pass and suddenly being in behind the City defence once more.

Can't take your eyes off this one.

Much better

That's more like it.

Joao Cancelo shows great vision and feet to skip through three challenges inside the Spurs box.

However, his curled effort is wide of the target.

Much more encouraging from City though and it has lifted the fans.

Warning signs

Another lightning Tottenham break.

Fortunately a looping ball finds Ryan Sessegnon at the back stick but he can only divert his effort wide of the target.

Spurs do look a threat even time they venture forward though.

Time to step it up lads.

Time on our side

Important to remember  that the goal has come so early. Still more than 80 minutes to turn this around.

No doubt that Spurs have started really well though.

They look very well drilled... as you would expect from an Antonio Conte team

On the break

City try to respond from a corner but Tottenham clear and almost launch another lightning break through Davies.

That early goal has emboldened Antonio Conte's men.

De Bruyne then whips in a teasing cross but Lloris gathers safely.

Out of the blue

In the visitors first break a quick pass spilt the City defence and put Son in behind us.

He timed his approach to Ederson, squared the ball to the waiting Kulusevski and he finished from 12 yards.

Not the start we wanted.

Not this time

Ruben Dias floats a long ball trying to pick out Raheem Sterling but Hugo Lloris gathers easily.

KICK-OFF

We are underway at the Etihad. COME ON, CITY!!!

Almost set

Teams out on the pitch. We're good to go...Can't wait!

ICYMI here's how we line up today

Results checker

Full time update:

Liverpool came from behind to beat Norwich 3-1 while Chelsea beat Crystal Palace 1-0.

It means our lead at the top of the table is down to six points.

Time to respond lads!

'Dias is a leader'

Ledley King on Ruben Dias:

"I’m a big fan of Ruben Dias in particular. When I look at the best players in the Premier League in that position, he’s up there with the likes of Vincent Kompany.

"They’re my two favourite defenders. He’s a leader as well."
 

Small details

The City players currently rounding off their pre-match warm ups.

Always love watching the effortless way they pass and control the ball.

Perfecting making the fiendishly difficult look anything but.

Winter warmer

Definite chill in the air as we approach 5.30pm kick-off time.

Bit different from the temperatures I was lucky enough to enjoy in Lisbon in midweek!

'Son a thorn in City's side'...

Joleon Lescott on the threat of Son and Spurs:

"He’s been a thorn for City for many years. I’m also pleased to see Sessegnon. Hopefully that fills him with confidence. He would have felt really low last week after coming off in the first half.

"Good on the manager and hopefully he does well, but not too well!"
 

So do we!!!

'Best trio in the Premier League'

Joloen Lescott on the central defensive trio of John Stones, Aymric Laporte and Ruben Dias:

"That trio is the best there has ever been in the Premier League.

"I don’t think there’s been a trio of centre-backs that you can compare too.

"There may have been better partnerships, but as a trio, arguably as good as I’ve seen in the Premier League. I don’t think there’s a bad choice. I don’t think there’s a bad option between the three of them."
 

'Conte made an immediate difference'

Ledley King on Spurs' progress so far under Antonio Conte:

"I think Conte came in and immediately made a difference. You could see the intensity of the players go up a level.

"They were putting the work in on the training pitches.

"The recent form hasn’t been too good so that is worrying. It’s good to see the two new signings starting today, it’ll be tough for them but good to see them playing."
 

Enjoy!!

'I love watching Sterling play'

Joleon Lescott on the form of a resurgent Raheem Sterling:

"The stats from November till now is ridiculously different, he’s scored 14 goals or so, which is the norm for Raheem.

"As much as he’s in great form, he just wasn’t at the level he set for himself at the start of the season.

"It’s not a surprise to see him hit these heights. I love watching him play."
 

City in the house!

'City's front three roam around'

Ledley King on what it's like trying to counter City's false nine:

"It’s so difficult. I was here last season as part of the Spurs coaching staff. We lost 3-0 and couldn’t get near them.

"The front three are roaming around. Players like Sterling will just burst in behind."
 

'Gundogan is never fazed'

Joleon Lescott on the return of Ilkay Gundogan to the City starting line-up:

"Just for possession. He scored a wonderful goal last year in this fixture.

"He brings calmness, he’s a leader, he brings a lot of quality as a personality.

"His calmness in possession and ability to play forward, he’s one of the most comfortable players we have in the opposition half. He’s never fazed."

'Any side City put out is quality'

Former Spurs and England defender Ledley King on how City shape up this afternoon:

"Spurs know what to expect.

"Any side City put out is a quality side. They’ll be expecting a tough game for sure. It’s important that Tottenham defend well and be able to play out of the press."
 

Team news and tactics

And here's how our visitors line up...

Here's how we line up today...

CITY XI: Ederson, Walker, Laporte, Dias, Cancelo, Rodrigo, Gündogan (C), De Bruyne, Sterling, Bernardo Silva, Foden

Substitutes: Carson, Stones, Aké, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Delap, McAtee, Lavia

Where you will be tuning in from?

'Magnificent Sterling'

Pep on the superb form and impact of Raheem Sterling who entered City's all-time goal scoring top ten in midweek with a stunning strike in Lisbon:

"Against Sporting, the intensity of his movements… they were magnificent. It is what Raheem has done over many, many years together.

“In terms of stats and the national team and becoming a key player for us - and for me personally - I am very glad he is back to his best because we need him.”

Meanwhile...

A very interesting scoreline over at Anfield.

Norwich currently lead second-placed Liverpool 1-0 with an hour gone.

Will keep you posted.

Storming on...

High fives

'I know the Club does the best for me'

Pep expounded the professional satisfaction he derives from managing City at Friday's press conference:

“The club is beyond everyone and I know the club do the best for me. When we lose, we are sad, but we don’t point and say it’s your fault.

“I love to work in this way because they know if it goes bad, we will shake hands and break the relationship because we are not good enough to bring the team to a high level, but I don’t feel they talk bad about me when I have bad results.

“We are sad, we sleep bad and then we try and do better. That’s why I am happy here.”

Early teams news

Today’s line-ups will be released in just over 30 minutes time, but we do already have an idea of who is and isn’t available after the managers’ pre-match press conferences earlier this week.

Pep Guardiola confirmed at his pre match press conference that Jack Grealish was still set to be sidelined with the shin injury that has ruled him out for the past couple of games.

We will also wait to see whether Gabriel Jesus and Cole Palmer have recovered from the injuries that have kept them out of late.

Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte is boosted by the availability of Eric Dier, who missed the last three games with a thigh injury.

However, he is without Oliver Skipp, Japhet Tanganga and an unnamed player due to Covid-19.

The numbers game...

'Pep's always pushing us'

Phil Foden provided a fascinating insight into the drive and mindset of City manager Pep Guardiola ahead of today's game:

“He is obsessed with football and he always pushes us every day. Even the result [against Sporting CP], he wasn’t fully happy and he thought we could do things better.

“That is just the type of person he is. He always wants more and he is always pushing us.

“Everyone plays all year round so everyone has to be ready and the team can change at any time.

 “He always has ideas and it always seems to work so we always believe in that and try to take it onto the pitch."

Elsewhere today..

We've already had one result through from today's Premier League schedule.

West Ham and Newcastle shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.

Of the six 3pm kick-offs the only goals so far have come at the Amex Stadium where Burnley lead Brighton 2-0.

Happy memories...

Get involved 📱

As always we are keen to get your thoughts and insights ahead of today’s game.

Though they have suffered losses in their last three league games, as Pep Guardiola warned in his pre-match press conference, Antonio Conte’s men will prove tough and demanding opponents today.

So, what are you expecting from today’s game? What team would you pick?

Let us know your thoughts using #ManCity on Twitter and, don’t forget, you can ask a question to our Matchday Live panel by messaging +447537186538 on WhatsApp. 

Audience participation is very much encouraged!

SWP!!!!

It most certainly is!!

It's matchday!

Good afternoon!

And a very warm welcome to the Matchday Centre for Manchester City’s return to Premier League action at home to Tottenham.

City have enjoyed a memorable few days on the road, securing a fine 4-0 league win at Norwich last Saturday and then recording a magnificent 5-0 victory away at Sporting in the Champions League in midweek.

Today’s game kicks-off at 17:30 (UK) and you are in the right place to follow all the action, as I’ll be providing live updates throughout the build-up, match action and post-match reaction.

Stay tuned for a sky-blue tinted take on proceedings!