It was a meeting of two Premier League sides, although City's status was under threat thanks to a winless run in the division that had begun in early November and would stretch across 14 matches into late February.
Tottenham had already knocked them out of the League Cup, so this was the last chance for Kevin Keegan's side to enjoy any escape from their league form.
Things didn't start well when Spurs center-back Ledley King curled in a world on his left foot from the edge of the box inside the opening two minutes. With an early goal against them at a difficult stadium, they needed to dig in.
"You're thinking that we had better start grafting because if you don't you can get in one of those uncomfortable scenarios where you're two or three down in the first half, the opposition are playing at home and Spurs are probably one of the worst teams you could play against for your 'oles' and showboating," recalled Trevor Sinclair.
"We were thinking we could get massively embarrassed here if we don't make sure we compete in this game and keep it tight at the back and sadly we didn't do that!" Within 20 minutes, Robbie Keane had added a second for the hosts. City's top scorer Nicolas Anelka then went off injured, Christian Ziege curled in a third and Joey Barton having already been booked for a strong challenge on Michael Brown and given the reeree plenty of lip for it talked his way into a red card as the half-time whistle went. It was hard to imagine the half going any worse.
"I'm a massive Nicolas Anelka fan, I thought he was always misunderstood Cole - both top guys and top pros - but when Nicolas walked off saying he was a bit tight in the hamstring I could have strangled him," laughed Sinclair.
"We were all struggling and you either stick together and keep it respectable in the second half with a 0-0 or you go on to be absolutely smashed.
Denne historien er fra January 25, 2024-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
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Denne historien er fra January 25, 2024-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
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