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Player Ratings: Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Manchester City

Sports Mole takes a look at who stood out during Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

Manchester City all but secured their Champions League place on the day that they were relinquished of the Premier League title, beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at White Hart Lane.

Sergio Aguero got the only goal of the game shortly before the half-hour mark, lashing a strike into the top corner to cap off a quick counter-attack.

Here, Sports Mole looks at who stood out during an entertaining affair in North London.


Harry Kane of Spurs is foiled by goalkeeper Joe Hart of Manchester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at White Hart Lane on May 3, 2015© Getty Images

TOTTENHAM

Goal

Hugo Lloris: Perhaps committed a little early for Aguero's goal, but may not have been able to do much to prevent it anyway. Also slipped to almost gift the Argentine a goal in the first half, but did make a number of decent saves to keep his side in the game. (6/10)

Defence

Eric Dier: Was quite a notable attacking threat, squandering a great chance in the opening exchanges and swinging a number of good crosses into the box throughout. (6/10)

Federico Fazio: Struggled to keep tabs on Aguero, whose pace and movement caused the defender problems all game. Never really looked comfortable either on or off the ball. (5/10)

Jan Vertonghen: More solid than his centre-back partner, but still had a difficult time dealing with the busy Aguero. Was confident in possession, though, and helped to launch a number of attacks from the back. (6/10)

Danny Rose: Made one vital block to stop what looked like a certain goal in the first half. Coped fairly well with Milner in what was an even battle down that flank. (6/10)

Midfield

Nabil Bentaleb: Held his own in the middle of the park, battling away to break up City attacks. The open nature of the game made things difficult for him, however, and Fernandinho in particular found himself with a number of shooting chances from the edge of the box. (6/10)

Ryan Mason: Squandered a glorious chance towards the end of the first half as Hart smothered his effort from inside the box. Provided plenty of energy in midfield and looked to get forward, but failed to have a major impact on the game. (6/10)

Erik Lamela: Made a bright start to the match and helped Spurs have the better of proceedings in the first half. Faded as the game wore on, however. (6/10)

Christian Eriksen: Just never got into the match. Has been so influential for Spurs this season but was nowhere near his usual level today and was taken off before the hour. (5/10)

Nacer Chadli: Like Lamela, was lively in the opening exchanges but saw his influence on the match wane as time went by. (6/10)

Attack

Harry Kane: Worked hard up top but was not his usual clinical self. Had a couple of chances that he would usually expect to take, but he was one of a number of guilty parties when it came to missing good openings today. (6/10)

Substitutes

Roberto Soldado: Came on for Eriksen just before the hour mark but could not make the most of his one or two sights of goal. (6/10)

Paulinho: Made a difference during his 20-minute cameo, coming close on a couple of occasions. Ultimately could not turn the game in his side's favour, though. (6/10)

Emmanuel Adebayor: Handed a rare appearance but did not have time to make a difference having been introduced with six minutes left. (6/10)


Sergio Aguero of Manchester City scores the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at White Hart Lane on May 3, 2015© Getty Images

MAN CITY

Goal

Joe Hart: Made a number of fine saves to keep his side ahead, denying Mason, Kane and Paulinho amongst others. A hard-earned clean sheet to celebrate. (8/10)

Defence

Pablo Zabaleta: Was not as noticeable in attack as usual, but enjoyed a solid game up against Chadli, overcoming a slow start to keep the Spurs man quiet. (6/10)

Martin Demichelis: Was all over the shop in the opening stages but soon settled into the match and went on to put in a decent display, including one particularly good sliding challenge inside the box. (6/10)

Eliaquim Mangala: Was at fault for a number of Tottenham's chances, including letting Kane run through on goal in the opening minutes. Still yet to show any reason why City paid so much money for him. (5/10)

Aleksandar Kolarov: Sometimes left space behind him when he bombed forward, but that was permissible considering the threat he posed in the opposition half. His deliveries were dangerous and he had one swerving effort of his own that forced a good save from Lloris. (7/10)

Midfield

James Milner: Brought into the side and provided his usual work rate without every really grabbing the eye up against Rose. (6/10)

Fernando: Sat back and went about his business quietly. Like Bentaleb, this was not the easiest match for a holding midfielder, and Fernando may feel that he could have done a better job protecting his defence. (6/10)

Fernandinho: Was given more license to roam than Fernando and should have made that count with a number of good chances in and around the Spurs box. Showed good energy to get up in support of Aguero, though. (7/10)

Frank Lampard: Only really had one decent sight of goal during his time on the field. Put in a rather quiet display overall. (6/10)

David Silva: Once again the creative hub for Man City, laying on the goal with a clever pass to Aguero and setting up a number of other chances. Not his best performance of the season, but he still made a difference. (7/10)

Attack

Sergio Aguero: Edged further ahead of Kane in the goalscoring ranks with a well-taken strike on the break. Probably should have had at least one more too, but was unfortunate not to get a penalty on one occasion and failed to wrap his foot around the ball on another. A constant threat, though, and never gave the defenders a moment of rest. (8/10)

Substitutes

Samir Nasri: Came on for Lampard but lasted less than three minutes before limping off with what looked like a groin injury. (6/10)

Wilfried Bony: Missed one good chance having replaced the injured Nasri but failed to really enforce himself up front during his cameo. (6/10)

Dedryck Boyata: Came on for Aguero in the final minute as Pellegrini looked to see out the victory. (6/10)


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