Hello and to welcome Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at White Hart Lane. This afternoon's clash pits together the division's two remaining unbeaten sides, with the hosts aiming to close the gap on their opponents - who have so far won six out of six - to just one point.

It is also a showdown between the top flight's best attacking team and the best defensive side, statistically speaking, so something has to give over the next few hours. It is another of the Premier League's classic fixtures from recent years; one that Spurs have had the better of in recent times. Before checking out the two teams in a little more depth, let us first look at some confirmed team news.

TEAM NEWS!

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Wanyama, Dele; Sissoko, Eriksen, Lamela; Son

MANCHESTER CITY XI: Bravo; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Stones, Kolarov; Fernando, Fernandinho; Silva, Sterling, Navas; Aguero

Starting with the visiting team, and boss Pep Guardiola - yet to taste defeat in charge of City - has made three changes from last time out. John Stones, Fernando and Jesus Navas all return to the fold, with Gael Clichy, Ilkay Gundogan and the suspended Nolito making way. Fernando's inclusion is a little surprising, but he will add some extra cover in front of the back four alongside impressive near-namesake Fernandinho.

Navas may not be rated by many, but he will certainly provide some width to this City side as they look to get at their opponents from all angles. David Silva will likely be fielded in a more advanced central position from the off this afternoon as a result of Fernando's inclusion, with Raheem Sterling the other attacking player to offer support to lone striker Sergio Aguero.

The Citizens are without arguably their key performer so far this season in Kevin De Bruyne, who misses out through an injury picked up in the win over Swansea City last weekend. Vincent Kompany and Fabian Delph are also absent, as is the aforementioned Nolito who picked up the most needless of red cards in a recent victory over Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium. The good news for City is that Aguero quickly found his feet following his own return from a three-match ban, scoring last time out to take his tally to 28 goals in 27 outings.

Switching focus to the home side now, and boss Mauricio Pochettino has been boosted by the return of Danny Rose to the starting lineup. The full-back has been absent since picking up an injury for England during the last international break, but he is now straight back into the side on the opposite flank to the ever-dependable Kyle Walker. Eric Dier was the other big doubt, and he is only declared fit enough for a place among the subs this afternoon.

Mousa Dembele misses out, however, in what is a huge blow, meaning a defensive midfield made up of Victor Wanyama and Dele Alli. Moussa Sissoko sustained a head injury last weekend but is OK to take his place in a more advanced position, alongside Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela who will need to provide makeshift striker Son Heung-min with the ammunition to continue his impressive scoring run.

Spurs will also be without their star player, meanwhile, as Harry Kane continues to watch on from the sidelines after picking up an injury a fortnight ago. The form of Son means that Kane has not been missed so far but, with Vincent Janssen yet to truly get going at White Hart Lane, there is plenty of pressure of Son, Lamela and Eriksen to continue chipping in with goals during the Englishman's absence.

BENCH WATCH!

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: Vorm, Trippier, Davies, Dier, Winks, Nkoudou, Janssen

MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Caballero, Sagna, Clichy, Gundogan, Sane, Iheanacho, Garcia

With Fernando recalled to the starting lineup, Ilkay Gundogan drops down to the bench after only recently returning to full fitness following a lengthy layoff. That is likely to be a tactical switch rather than fitness related, but the German - along with fellow summer recruit Leroy Sane - will be disappointed to miss out today. Spurs are without the injured Dier in their starting XI, meanwhile, and Janssen is another who could well play a part as the game unfolds.

Both sides are without arguably their key performers this afternoon, as last season's top scorer Harry Kane misses out for Tottenham Hotspur while opponents Manchester City must make do without Kevin De Bruyne. Sergio Aguero is the man tasked with scoring the goals for the visitors, with his tally standing at 27 in his last 28 league outings - helping to move him above Thierry Henry as the division's most-prolific ever scorer.

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So a big afternoon in store for both of these teams, then, but it is the hosts who have ground to make up. Pochettino will be delighted by the start his side have made, having won four in a row and suffered just one defeat in nine overall in all competitions so far this term. In the league, 14 points from the first 18 on offer leaves Spurs in third place with a game in hand to play on the side above them - their best start ever to a Prem campaign.

Spurs were dealt a tricky start to the season, in truth, with draws against Everton and Liverpool positive enough results but not really doing a great deal to help them improve their league position. That has soon changed with 12 points from 12, though, leaving them behind only today's opponents in the league table ahead of the latest round of fixtures. Victory for Liverpool at Swansea around 24 hours ago ensured that the Reds moved up a place to second, but Spurs can reclaim that position with a win today.

Tottenham are also back on track in Europe courtesy of a narrow win over CSKA Moscow in midweek - a daunting trip to make just a few days ahead of this vital league clash. The Lilywhites put five past Gillingham in the EFL Cup, too, with that feel-good factor showing no signs of coming to an end after numerous players put pen to paper on new long-term deals. Reports overnight suggest that Hugo Lloris and Toby Alderweireld are next in line to extend their current terms, so it is fair to say that it is all smiles for supporters right now.

Victory today really would send out a message as far as Spurs are concerned, though, making it the club's second-best start ever to a top-flight season - only bettered by the 1960-61 title-winning side. Key to their early-season success has been the backline, with a league-low three goals shipped so far and no goals conceded from open play on home soil. Up the other end, Son has five in five in all competitions - proving again that this Tottenham side are more than just a one-man team.

DID YOU KNOW? Mauricio Pochettino's first game as a head coach was against Pep Guardiola in January 2009 - a goalless draw between Espanyol and Barcelona in a Copa del Rey tie. Just a month later the Argentine picked up his first-ever win as a manager, thanks to a 2-1 victory at the Camp Nou in what was the rarest of Catalan derby wins for his side. That was Pochettino's only win in nine against Guardiola, though, with three of those ending level.

Looking further ahead, Spurs face West Bromwich Albion and Bournemouth in the league immediately after the international break, while also travelling to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. Pochettino is very much a one-game-a-time manager, however, so all eyes will be on this truly huge showdown in North London this afternoon. Tottenham boasted an impressive record in top-four clashes last term - more of the same today and all of a sudden they will be backed as real title contenders themselves.

Spurs face an extremely tough task this afternoon, though, as they take on arguably the world's most in-form side right now. OK, the Citizens may have had to settle for just a point in their last outing - a 3-3 draw against Celtic in a real European thriller in midweek - but they have still made a perfect start to life under Guardiola domestically speaking with seven wins from seven in league and cup.

All-in-all, City have won six from six in the Premier League; three from four in European competition, including playoff ties; and also progressed in the EFL Cup with victory over Swansea City recently. That one blip against Celtic does provide hope for others, though, with Fernandinho - an ever-present in the league for the Citizens this term - admitting afterwards that he and his teammates were feeling a little fatigued at Parkhead.

Manchester City have made a perfect start to life under manager Pep Guardiola in domestic competition, thanks to seven wins from seven games in league and cup. It has been near-perfect in Europe, too, where only an entertaining 3-3 draw with Celtic last time out blemished their dream run. Today's clash at White Hart Lane provides Guardiola with another big test - one which many believe Tottenham Hotspur will come out on top in.

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While Tottenham boast the best defensive record in England's top flight, City have the best attacking stats. It is all about dominating space, as opposed to possession, which allows players to run on to the ball to create overloads in attacking positions. The Citizens have just about been the most entertaining team to watch so far this term, particularly in that astonishing 40-minute spell against rivals Man United when it was men against boys at times.

De Bruyne has very much been key to their early-season success, scoring two goals and laying on four assists for teammates, but he misses out today and could well remain absent for three or four games after the international break. Celtic has proved that, by really getting at the Citizens and not allowing them to form a shape, they are certainly not invincible. Get things wrong, however, and you could well be on the end of a real trouncing.

Victory for City today will make it seven in succession to kick off a campaign, something which no new manager has achieved in the Premier League. Guardiola is currently tied with Carlo Ancelotti in that regard, with the Italian winning six in a row with Chelsea, and it is the Blues who hold the record for the most wins to begin a campaign with victory in their first nine outings a decade ago in their run to the title.

You have to go back to 1897 to find the last time City won seven in a row in the league, with that coming in the second tier of English football, but they did miss out - ironically enough - on the chance to take Tottenham's record of successive wins in all competitions a few days back when being held by Celtic. Following the international break attention turns to Everton (h), Barcelona (a), Southampton (h) and Man United (a) in the Premier League, Champions League and EFL Cup - very much all systems go for Pep and Co.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Tottenham Hotspur won both fixtures between these two sides last season, but had lost eight of their last nine games against Manchester City prior to that. There have been 22 goals scored in the last five encounters in this fixture at White Hart Lane - nine for Spurs and 13 for the Citizens. The hosts are looking for their 23rd win over City in the Premier League - they have only currently beaten Everton more times.

With kickoff at White Hart Lane now less than 10 minutes away, let us turn attention to some pre-match talk from both camps.

Mauricio Pochettino: "Maybe we are a little behind them but our expectation in the long term is to compete with all the big clubs like Man City, Man United, Liverpool. We are building a new stadium, we have an unbelievable training ground and we want to set the principles to be a big, big club. Our spirit and ambition is to be one of the biggest in the world, but you need time and a normal process."

Pep Guardiola: I think [Pochettino's] one of the best managers in the world - I enjoy watching Tottenham. He's doing an amazing job... the way they play I like a lot - they're aggressive and have a lot of quality. They're proactive, not reactive. There are many teams who wait to see what you do and then react - [Spurs] don't wait to see what they're going to do. They want to create their own game. That's why I like them."

Pochettino very open about the Lilywhites' future prospects, then, claiming that they can become one of the world's biggest clubs in the years to come. Spurs are already a well-regarded side, of course, but they need to consistently challenge for the title - and indeed go all the way - if they are to be considered in that top bracket of the world's elite. Last season was perhaps a warm-up - now they must push on and match the success of Leicester City last time out.

Guardiola full of praise for his opposite number, meanwhile, who he knows well from those Catalan derbies of the past. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich chief is a big fan of Tottenham's, but he will be targeting three more points here today to open up a five-point gap at the top of the Premier League table, which you have to say will only likely get bigger between now and next May if the Citizens continue to play the way they have been.

Both sets of players have now made their way out on to the field of play, with kickoff in North London just a minute or so away. A magnificent seven on the line for Manchester City this afternoon, while opponents Tottenham Hotspur - the division's only other unbeaten side - will be looking to reduce the deficit at the top of the division. Game on!

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KICKOFF! Tottenham Hotspur get us under way at White Hart Lane and instantly get at Manchester City. The ball is worked nicely to Son who is unable to test Bravo, firing the ball wide after working a shooting position just 20 seconds in.

Spurs have started this match very brightly, getting at their opponents constantly inside the opening three minutes. City not being given a chance to settle so far, with that Son shot 20 seconds in acting as a real warning sign for them.

The visitors finally manage to get forward themselves and cause some real panic at the back, as Navas sends in a good delivery from the right which is turned behind for a corner. Son gets the beating of Zabaleta at the other end but Stones is across well to clear the danger.

Spurs have settled the better into this game, but City did have that one spell a few moments ago which culminated in Navas's cross. The game is starting to finds its rhythm a little more now; both teams taking it in turns to knock the ball around.

An absolute howler of an own goal from Kolarov gives Tottenham an early lead in North London. Wanyama did brilliantly to win back possession in midfield, playing the ball to Lamela who in turn picked out the returning Rose on the left. Rose's cross was into a dangerous area, and Kolarov - who may have seen the ball slightly late - failed to adjust his feet and sliced it into the top corner of his own net.

SAVE! Son again opts to shoot from a tight angle rather than looking to pick out a teammate, but this time he does at least draw a save from Bravo. The Chilean keeper did well to keep the ball out down low at his near post as Spurs go in search of a quick-fire second.

City looking really shaky in the opening 15 minutes of this match, having not been allowed to settle into any sort of rhythm. All the energy being provided by the hosts at the moment, with the league leaders struggling to get their foot on the ball.

Bravo plucks a shot out of the air before being bundled just about over the line, but referee Bobby Madley was having none of it and awarded the Chilean a free kick. Spurs so dominate at the moment - a complete reversal of City's meeting with Man United recently.

Spurs are only just edging the possession stats, but they are picking up the ball in dangerous zones rather than simply knocking it around in defensive areas. The question now is whether they can sustain this pressure throughout the 90 minutes.

YELLOW CARD! Spurs looking so composed on the ball now, as the spread things around. Possession is worked to a central position, where Otamendi lunges in on Dele Alli to concede a free kick 20 yards from goal. Big chance for Spurs, this!

CLOSE! Not far away at all from Eriksen, who put just a tad too much spin on the free kick which ended two inches wide of the target. Otamendi is let off on this occasion with just a yellow, but he is now waking on a tightrope.

City's best attack so far ends with Vertonghen just about getting the ball before taking out Aguero, leading to a few groans from the away end as Bobby Madley - correctly - waves play on. Spurs break and work a one-on-one position but Son was flagged for offside.

The Citizens showing a few signs in the past few minutes that they are slowly growing into the contest, but they still look far from convincing. Tottenham now, ineivtably, lacking the intensity levels witnessed in the opening quarter of the game.

Lloris reads the danger well to thwart Sterling, who was possibly caught in two minds as he failed to get a shot away at goal inside the box. Aguero then send a shot wide from 25 yards out under little pressure - a concern for Pochettino.

Sterling is getting into this game more and more. Silva and Fernandinho link-up with the Englishman, before a ball is sent in towards Aguero. Lloris got his hands to the ball first, though, ending what was a rare attack from the visitors.

SAVE! Victor Wanyama is the latest player to enter referee Bobby Madley's book for a foul on Aguero around 25 yards from goal. Aguero is the man who takes on the free kick, which is decent enough but kept out by Lloris down to his left.

Otamendi again caught out by some slick Tottenham play, but he was given just a talking to by Madley and avoided a second yellow. One more late challenge and City will continue for the remainder a man light in North London.

Superb play from City at the back as Bravo keeps his cool under pressure to slide the ball to Stones, who in turn takes on four men to turn defence into attack. Some sloppy play at the other end, though, as the offside flag is raised to end the move.

Tottenham have a second - and what a fine goal it was! It was all pretty frantic in the middle of the park, but the ball fell the hosts' way and, at the second time of asking, Son slid through a world-class pass for Alli who himself simply passed the ball out of Bravo's reach and into the corner of the net.

It is just not happening for City at the moment. Bravo has just been caught in possession and is forced to hit the ball into touch, adding to his side's woes. City really missing injured playmaker Kevin De Bruyne in this one-sided first half.

YELLOW CARD! Danny Rose enters the referee's book - the third booking so far today. Man City ending the half with a good spell of possession, with Spurs just looking to see things through until the interval.

The Citizens unable to fashion any chances in this half, which does not look like changing in the closing moments of the opening 45 minutes. A fine first-half showing from the Lilywhites, who are good value for their two-goal lead on home soil.

Referee Bobby Madley blows the whistle for half time, with Tottenham Hotspur sitting comfortably on a two-goal lead. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola recently said that he will discover more about his squad when they are trailing in a game - well this is the perfect time for those players to stand up and be counted.

Spurs looked to get right in their opponents' faces right from the off, fashioning a chance through Son Heung-min with 20 second on the clock which the in-form forward could only flash wide. The hosts did not have to wait too long to make a breakthrough, however, as Victor Wanyama's impressive work in midfield to win back possession created an opening for the returning Danny Rose to swing a delightful cross into the box which Aleksandar Kolarov sliced into his own net.

Son, with five goals in five games this season heading into this one, could have added a quick-fire second but he was unable to beat Claudio Bravo at the near post just moments after seeing his side make the breakthrough. Spurs were continuing to dominate things, not allowing the Citizens a chance to settle and coming close to a second when Christian Eriksen sent a free kick just inches wide of the target with a quarter of the game gone.

City showed the occasional sign that they were slowly starting to grow into the contest, though their only shot of any sort in the first half was simple enough for Hugo Lloris to keep out at the end of a tame Sergio Aguero set-piece attempt. Dele Alli added a deserved second for the Lilywhites eight minutes before half time, with Son picking out his teammate with a fine through-ball which the Englishman tucked past Bravo to put City on the brink of their first league defeat.

A position we have yet to see Man City in this season, then, as they trail by two goals in a game. Guardiola must surely be considering a change in personnel, with Gundogan a contender to come on in place of the largely ineffective Fernando in front of the back four.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: Vorm, Trippier, Davies, Dier, Winks, Nkoudou, Janssen

MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Caballero, Sagna, Clichy, Gundogan, Sane, Iheanacho, Garcia

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RESTART! Manchester City get us back under way at White Hart Lane. No changes made by either side, which is surprising in the visitors' case but less so in Tottenham Hotspur's as they aim to keep hold of this two-goal lead.

Identical to the first half, Son works space for a shot soon after the restart but is unable to keep it on target. This latest shot was curled over the bar, with Tottenham picking up from where they left off in the first half.

SAVE! Wanyama picks up the ball five yards inside his own area and is allowed to charge and charge and charge at the City backline. The Kenyan's shot is just inches wide, with replays showing the slightest of touches from Bravo on its way through.

Spurs still looking the more likely to add the game's third goal, but Guardiola is holding off with regards to making his first alteration of the afternoon. Tottenham will end the day just one point behind their opponents as things currently stand.

OFF THE POST! Well from pretty much nowhere, Aguero fires in a shot which Lloris helps on to the post. That would have been a real blow for Spurs, who have not particularly looked like conceding so far today.

MANCHESTER CITY SUB! A well-worked City corner ends with the ball being blasted high over the bar. Guardiola then sparks into action, bringing on Gundogan for Fernando in a change many expected to be made 10 minutes ago.

The Citizens are the side seeing more of the ball in dangerous areas now, as their opponents start to show just one or two signs of fatigue. The league leaders need a goal to build some momentum, or else they face a first domestic defeat under Guardiola.

YELLOW CARD! Raheem Sterling is the latest player to be booked after lunging in on compatriot Danny Rose near the touchline. Bravo is caught out soon after but Eriksen cannot find a way through with his first-time effort.

Still a high intensity to the game but little in terms of goalmouth action at the moment. City preparing a second change, which looks likely to be Iheanacho, but Pochettino still happy enough with what he is seeing on the field.

PENALTY TO TOTTENHAM! Some more superb play from Spurs, as they exchange some passes in and around the opposition box. Alli bursts into the box and is bundled over by Fernandinho, meaning a chance to make it 3-0 from the spot.

PENALTY SAVED! What a huge moment this could be in the match. In the absence of Harry Kane, Lamela took the penalty which lacked both power and precision. Bravo did all that was needed by guessing the right way and pushing the ball aside.

MANCHESTER CITY SUB! City have been so poor this afternoon, but will they now pick things up after that lifeline? It really should be 3-0 to Spurs yet, with a little over 20 minutes to go, the Citizens are still right in this. Iheanacho now on for Navas.

Guardiola now has two strikers on the pitch in Aguero and Iheanacho, both of whom both hugely impressive strikes rated, but the visitors cannot get the ball to their advanced players. We are seeing again today just how important De Bruyne is to this side.

Replays have just shown a disagreement between Son and Lamela in the build-up to the Spurs penalty. The Belgian won the argument but missed the penalty, ensuring that this one is still not completely over with 20 minutes to play.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Eric Dier, not fit enough to start, is brought on for the injured Sissoko in Tottenham's first change of the match. Still plenty of drive from both teams, but things going perfectly to plan for the hosts.

CHANCE! I'd go as far as saying that this is City's first real chance of the match so far, which Iheanacho is unable to make the most of. The youngster was slipped through by Silva but could not find a way past Lloris between the sticks.

Possession constantly being turned over by both teams at the moment, but it is City who are sustaining more of the pressure. Gundogan blasts high and wide to end their latest move, with time now very much against Guardiola's charges.

SAVE! Another Aguero attempt - another Lloris save! The ball took a deflection on its way through, but Lloris stood strong and again kept the ball out of the net to keep this two-goal lead intact. Ten minutes to go in North London!

City asking plenty of questions now but, just like for the large majority of this game, Spurs' defence are standing right up to the task. Just three goals conceded all term, remember, although City have scored more than anyone else in the division.

Son currently down injured after a clattering, but no cards dished out by Bobby Madley. Pochettino looking to make another change or two now in these next few moments to further eat into the remaining time. Alli the man who will make way.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Georges-Kevin N'Koudou is brought on for Alli as we now head into the final five minutes of this high-intensity clash in North London. No real pressure on Spurs as they still have that two-goal advantage.

MANCHESTER CITY SUB! Very professional from the hosts now, as they continue to see through the remaining minutes. City need to lump the ball forward now in what is very much a do-or-die situation. Sterling is replaced by Sane.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! We are into the final 60 seconds of normal time at White Hart Lane, with a further four minutes likely to be added one. Son has been unable to add to his scoring tally today, but he still played a key part in this win and is now replaced by Janssen.

Four minutes have been added on at White Hart Lane, but it is surely game over at this point. Spurs should have scored a third from the spot, yet I'm sure supporters will settle for just the two goals against the previously-perfect league leaders.

Still no real pressure on the Spurs backline, with just a couple of Aguero shots and one attempt from Iheanacho to trouble them all half. Back to the drawing board now as far as Guardiola's concerned, as we enter the final 60 seconds of the contest.

The full-time whistle sounds at White Hart Lane, meaning a first defeat of any sort under Pep Guardiola for Manchester City. They were very much second best throughout, albeit having staged a slightly improved performance in the second half to ask a few questions of Tottenham Hotspur, but in the end the Lilywhites deserved the three points which lifts them back into second place - one point behind their opponents.

That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at White Hart Lane, but be sure to check out this on-the-whistle report before heading off. Reaction aplenty from all of the day's Premier League games will follow shortly, while updates from Real Madrid's meeting with Eibar are also available here. Enjoy!