Man City 3-2 Spurs - Harry Redknapp angry about Balotelli stamp | Premier League 2012

Mario Balotelli's injury-time penalty gave Premier League leaders Manchester City a vital victory after Tottenham's stirring comeback looked set to earn them a point at Etihad Stadium.

City set the platform for a win early in the second half with two quick goals from Samir Nasri and Joleon Lescott - but Spurs delivered a devastating response as an opportunist goal from Jermain Defoe and a magnificent strike from Gareth Bale drew them level in a burst of four goals in nine minutes.

Balotelli emerged from the bench and into the chaos that seems to be his constant companion - picking up a booking for a foul on Benoit Assou-Ekotto then escaping punishment after appearing to stamp on Scott Parker, an incident which went undetected by referee Howard Webb.

Defoe was then inches away from putting Spurs back in front in stoppage time before Italian Balotelli was inevitably the central figure in the final twist that ensured Roberto Mancini's side maintained the gap ahead of their pursuers at the top of the table.

Spurs' backroom staff were enraged by Balotelli's clash with Parker and their burning sense of injustice would have been made even more acute when he calmly strode forward to score from the spot with only seconds remaining after he had been hauled down by Ledley King.

The visitors clearly felt he should not even have been on the pitch, adding to their frustration after they had demonstrated considerable character and resilience to fight their way back into the game.

City boss Mancini will have had mixed emotions - delight at a crucial three points but also anxiety at the manner in which his side allowed Spurs back into the game.

Defoe, as expected, was Redknapp's selection in attack ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor, who was unable to figure against City, his parent club, during his season-long loan period.

In a first half that was fiercely contested, the only striker who got the chance to shine was City's Sergio Aguero as Spurs outnumbered City in midfield and contained the league leaders in relative comfort.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• harry
• redknapp
• ballotelli
• stamp
• Premier
• League
• Tottenham
• Hotspur
• F.C.
• Football
• Manchester
• City
• United
• Champions
• Soccer
• Association
• Chelsea

[DCTheGuitarist]

@salarpops

[salarpops]

@DCTheGuitarist lucky bullshit defoe was the fucking lucky one to get a tap in.and please don't compare us to united its insulting.and why are you so angry you guys are getting a champ league place and finishing above arsenal you should be happy.

[DCTheGuitarist]

@salarpops That's Bullshit, a mistake is a mistake, you can say IF to anything. A foul which should be a red card and would be in 9 out of 10 other games is not a mistake its a fecking travesty. City lucked out and if it was the other way round at WHL or against ANY other team your lot would be screaming for blood.

Looks like City are picking up where United left off; Dodgy decisions going their way at home. Not long before the phase "you'll never get a penalty at Eastlands" will surface.

[salarpops]

@DCTheGuitarist if spurs hadn't had gotten the first goal which was a mistake by savic the game would have been dead and buried it was our fault they got back in the game they didn't create shit.And the only way teams can beat us is by getting our players sent off,

[DCTheGuitarist]

@salarpops

Spurs were the better team in the second half, city should have had TWO players sent off.

Stop being the typical City fan defending ballotelli, he should not have been on the pitch

[salarpops]

@deadmanavir no excuse we lost the tie at home in the first leg.however liverpool were more then lucky to get a penalty which was unfair but i guess referees now have a thing on giving decisions against city.

[deadmanavir]

@salarpops What's your excuse for today ... ? Liverpool had them by the balls ! Creativity on the City side was flushed down the toilet ! Silva, didn't even know he was playing, Dzeko only good for tap-ins and the italian obviously pressed charge against Bellamy for rape !

[salarpops]

i cant believe the idiots on here saying that tottenham were better.City s

cored twice by creating chances the only reason tottenham got back in the game was because of a mistake by savic they didn't create shit silva made modric look like a chump.And as for ballotelli well he sells papers now doesn't he no one noticed how parker was hacking at city players.

[143HK2012]

Man city are team of desprado bandits who are over paid, balotelli needs a slap! As for lescott what a shit defender he thinks his so great, some should punch in the face titus bramble is better then him... looolz...

[TheTomwm123]

man city r shit club no history good fans though but tbf we bossed this game except for 45-55 mins pissed off why not bring dawson on kings knackered