3 things we learned from Manchester City’s 4-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester City closed the gap on league leaders Chelsea with a very odd win against Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad. Although the final score of 4-1 indicates a mauling, the match was in the balance for the first 70 minutes, and the defending champions could easily have dropped points against a resolutely silly Spurs side.

Although they looked wobbly in the very early stages -- they needed bailing out by Joe Hart when Ryan Mason wriggled through the defence in the eighth minute -- it was City who took the lead first. On virtually their first attack of the match, Frank Lampard picked out Sergio Agüero on the left side of the box, and with everyone looking for a pass the Argentinian pulled the ball back before hammering home.

Spurs’ reply was immediate. Fernando dawdled on the ball in his own defensive third and was robbed by Mason, leaving Roberto Soldado to set up Christian Eriksen for a clear look on goal. His shot wasn’t the best, but was hit so hard that all Hart could do was push it up into his own crossbar before it hit the back of the net.

But the score wouldn’t stay level for long. Erik Lamela, culpable in the first goal, made a silly lunge towards Lampard in the penalty box, allowing the former Chelsea man the opportunity to take a quite ridiculous dive. Referee Jonathan Moss bought the embellishment hook, line and sinker, and Agüero sent Hugo Lloris the wrong way to re-establish the hosts’ advantage.

Agüero had several more chances to get his hattrick before the first half was out. He fired a low shot straight at the goalkeeper from Jesús Navas’ cross, had a second penalty (this one given for Younes Kaboul wiping out David Silva) saved, and then had a one on one blocked off when he looked certain to score.

His profligacy kept Tottenham in the game, at least temporarily, and although the visitors’ defence was a wreck City’s wasn’t in much better shape. They were far too lose with the ball in their own third, and Spurs had several chances to get back on level terms. Both Mason and Eriksen had smart efforts kept out by Hart, but their best chance probably fell to Lamela, who took a touch when he should have shot and thus let the opportunity slip away.

If the first half was open, the second was downright expansive. Agüero had another three chances to put the match away and contrived to waste them all, and then Roberto Soldado -- so good in buildup play -- blew Spurs’ best opportunity to claim a draw. After diving for a penalty against the hapless Martín Demichelis, the Spanish striker then slapped a weak spot kick more or less in the same direction Hart was already diving, leaving him with an easy stop.

It was another penalty which finally put the game out of reach for Spurs. They were hit on the counterattack, with Jesús Navas springing down the right side and then crossing for Agüero. Or, at least, where Agüero should have been -- Federico Fazio had held him back and the striker had gratefully gone to ground. Bizarrely, a red card was produced. Less bizarrely, Agüero completed his hattrick with the spot kick.

Agüero then made up for his missed chances with a quite brilliant fourth goal, cutting in from the right and blasting a blind shot past Lloris to make it 4-1. By this time, Spurs were in damage control mode. In keeping with the rest of the match, they weren’t very good at that either, but were let off the hook by their post and some strange City decision-making in front of goal.

Goals: Agüero 13’, 20’ (p), 68’ (p), 76’.

Goals: Eriksen 15’.