Tottenham

2.61

• 
  53

  35

  3.00

  Brad Friedel

  Excellent low save from Silva's sharp drive on 18 minutes, but rendered utterly helpless by Dzeko's sublime finishing, Aguero's clipped finish and some delightful City assists.

• 
  27

  49

  2.50

  Vedran Corluka

  Needed more support on his flank, especially in the first half when Nasri and Silva decided to focus their attentions on Spurs' right side, to devastating effect.

• 
  27

  49

  2.50

  Michael Dawson

  Let down badly by centre-back partner Kaboul for the most part, but wasn't entirely blameless for Spurs' fragility. Torched by Aguero for No.4.

• 
  24

  67

  2.00

  Younes Kaboul

  If only he had attacked every ball the way he did the corner which produced his goal. To blame for the first two City goals which set the tone for the afternoon.

• 
  26

  42

  2.50

  Benoit Assou-Ekotto

  Booked for a cynical lunge on Aguero as the Spaniard burst forward, giving himself 80 minutes to survive without making a mistake in the tackle. As a result, was frozen when Yaya Toure burst forward to cross for No.3.

• 
  20

  45

  2.50

  Aaron Lennon

  A quiet afternoon from the winger, who left the field with an injury on 53 minutes, Defoe replacing him. Left Corluka exposed throughout.

• 
  98

  103

  2.00

  Luka Modric Flop of the Match

  Some sporadic booing of the wantaway midfielder, who did little to suggest his mind and heart are still with Spurs. Could have a long and forlorn season ahead of him. More audible booing when he was substituted, perhaps because he personifies a disjointed Spurs afternoon.

• 
  33

  38

  2.50

  Niko Kranjcar

  Curled an early effort just wide of Joe Hart's far post. Excellent pass to Corluka set in motion the move that Bale eventually blazed over the bar. Taken off at half-time due to a groin injury, replaced by Tom Huddlestone.

• 
  46

  52

  3.00

  Gareth Bale

  Not scored since New Year's Day in the Premier League and kept that inauspicious run going with a dreadful effort when presented with only Hart to beat midway through the first half. Wonderful cross gave Crouch diving header chance that flashed past Hart's post. Came alive when Spurs were 4-0 down - sound familiar?

• 
  60

  30

  3.00

  Rafael van der Vaart

  Spurs' best player in an attacking sense. Held the ball up well to create a shooting opportunity for himself on 10 minutes which Hart did well to parry away for a corner. Even better effort from a free-kick brought the best out of the City goalkeeper. Added to the growing list of bookings in the first half thanks to a gentle shove on Zabaleta. Had to go off in the second half with yet another leg injury, which is a huge concern for Redknapp.

• 
  21

  57

  2.50

  Peter Crouch

  Repeatedly beaten to aerial balls by the City defenders, despite his height advantage. Finally granted a heading opportunity on goal by Bale's ingenious cross, but his diving effort shaved the outside of Hart's post. Did little to dampen Harry Redknapp's pursuit of better strikers before the window shuts.

Substitutions

• 
  29

  34

  2.50

  Tom Huddlestone

  On for Kranjcar at half-time. Did little but threaten Zabaleta's chances of having children with a crude lunge.

• 
  36

  31

  3.00

  Jake Livermore

  Came on for Lennon, but his only contribution of note was an excellent challenge in his own box as City tormented their hosts.

• 
  48

  21

  3.00

  Jermain Defoe

  Lively when he came on, and brought a good save out of Hart with a long-range shot.

Manchester City

3.35

• 
  66

  22

  3.00

  Joe Hart

  Not as comfortable an afternoon as the scoreline suggests. Got down sharply to push away a surprisingly fierce effort from Van der Vaart, then also covered ground well to save the Dutchman's curling free-kick. Was beaten by Crouch's diving header which flew wide, and eventually conceded to Kaboul's drilled header.

• 
  50

  23

  3.00

  Pablo Zabaleta

  Perhaps unfortunate to go in the book for a sliding challenge on Bale in the middle of the park. Took a sore one from Huddlestone in the second half on an otherwise comfortable afternoon before making way for Micah Richards on the hour.

• 
  121

  25

  4.00

  Vincent Kompany

  Supreme. A tackle on the spinning and whirling Gareth Bale in the second half typified his poise, timing and composure. City's title hopes rest as firmly on his shoulders as any of the attacking talents'.

• 
  46

  32

  3.00

  Joleon Lescott

  A capable ally to Kompany's brilliance, he kept Spurs at arm's length from Hart's goal for the most part.

• 
  58

  31

  3.00

  Gael Clichy

  Coped fine with the under-par Lennon. A gentle return to north London for the Frenchman.

• 
  72

  20

  3.00

  Yaya Touré

  Needlessly booked in the first half for kicking the ball away. Looked assured in a deeper midfield role than he has had previously, and provided a classy assist to complete Dzeko's hat-trick.

• 
  57

  30

  3.00

  Gareth Barry

  Recklessly late with one sliding challenge on Van der Vaart, for which he was rightly booked. Fired narrowly wide from the edge of the box on the half-hour mark. Going to be key to achieving the balance City need with so many bodies flying forward.

• 
  179

  24

  3.50

  David Silva

  Premier League defences will be dreading facing Silva and Nasri, who already appear to have a telepathic understanding just days into their partnership. Off target with a couple of first-half shots, but pulled the strings throughout.

• 
  304

  34

  4.00

  Samir Nasri

  Immediately set to running directly at Spurs, and neat interchange with David Silva bodes well for City. Selflessly set up Dzeko in the opening quarter of an hour when a shooting opportunity was there. Provided his first assist as a City player with an inviting cross for Dzeko to toe home the opener, then a second just six minutes later. Maybe it was being in north London that helped him feel right at home in City colours.

• 
  187

  28

  3.50

  Sergio Agüero

  Hadn't had all that much of a say on proceedings until a startling run and superb finish to make it 4-0. Switch off for a moment against the Argentine and he will make you pay.

• 
  479

  39

  4.50

  Edin Dzeko Top of the Match

  A far better striker when he has to rely on instinct than when given time and space to think, as was evidenced in just 45 contrasting minutes here. Wasteful twice on the right side of the penalty area, but absolutely deadly when first Nasri presented him with a gorgeous cross along the face of goal, then with a deft header from Nasri's flighted delivery. Couldn't do anything but score with another low cross, this time from Toure, 10 minutes into the second half. A three-touch, game-defining hat-trick. The nonchalance with which he curled in his fourth of the day could not have been in starker contrast to his wild efforts in the opening stages.

Substitutions

• 
  66

  16

  3.00

  Micah Richards

  Marked the signing of a new four-year deal last week by appearing for a half-hour run-out with the match already won.

• 
  73

  31

  3.00

  Stefan Savic

  Replaced Aguero with 15 minutes remaining and a lead to sit on. Managed to get himself booked without even playing a second by entering the field of play without permission as Aguero wandered towards the sideline.