Man City v Spurs

[bandini]

om Huddlestone scored his first Premiership goal as Tottenham survived a spirited second-half fightback to claim their first away league victory of the season by beating Manchester City 2-1.

Huddlestone crashed home a 25th-minute half-volley to add to Calum Davenport's early opener and make a mockery of City's proud unbeaten home record.

But Stuart Pearce's men struck back after their dismal opening spell and Joey Barton's 64th-minute strike at least gave them hope of retaining that proud run of form stretching over eight games.

And they were denied a penalty with five minutes left when Malbranque appeared to bring down Barton in the box, only for referee Rob Styles to wave play-on.

Spurs went close in the 13th minute, when Jermain Defoe's initial effort ricocheted into the path of Berbatov, whose follow-up from a tight angle was booted off the line by Sylvain Distin.

And they finally took a well-deserved lead in the 16th minute when Davenport rose highest to meet Huddlestone's free-kick into the box, and headed the ball home past Nicky Weaver.

Even at that early stage it was evident Barton would be the man to fashion an unlikely City revival, and he fired an audacious long-range effort just over the bar in the 19th minute.

The second goal arrived when Ghaly crossed from the left to find Huddlestone on the edge of the box, and the 19-year-old fired home his first Premiership goal in spectacular style.

City improved in the second half and got one back when Dickov created space down the left and hit a low cross for Barton to steal in at the far post and poke the home side back into the match.

But, although they did have their penalty shout, there was no way back for Stuart Pearce`s men.

source: soccernet.com