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Played
May 10, 2011 2:45 PM EDT
Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Referee:‬ M. Dean‎
Attendance:‬ 47029‎
 
30′ (OG) Peter Crouch
 
   
 
 

Player Ratings: Manchester City 1-0 Tottenham

City secure Champions League qualification thanks to Peter Crouch own-goal at Eastlands

By Greg Stobart at Eastlands

  • Joe Hart
    15
    2
    3.50

    Joe Hart

    Rarely tested by a powderpuff Tottenham strikeforce but made a superb scrambling save to keep out a Pienaar header just after the break.

  • Micah Richards
    15
    1
    3.50

    Micah Richards

    Back from injury and produced a strong defensive display, giving Spurs very few opportunities to attack down City's right. Rarely ventured forward.

  • Vincent Kompany
    28
    6
    4.00

    Vincent Kompany Top of the Match

    The Belgian defender was up to the task as he enjoyed the aerial battle against Crouch. Won most headers and when he didn't was able to do enough to put off the Spurs striker.

  • Joleon Lescott
    12
    0
    3.50

    Joleon Lescott

    Beaten for pace by Lennon early on but produced a generally solid performance that included some well-timed challenges.

  • Pablo Zabaleta
    10
    4
    3.00

    Pablo Zabaleta

    Mixed display from the Argentine as he made some very good challenges on Lennon but was also beaten easily at times by the Spurs winger. Replaced in the 57th minute after suffering a nose injury as he was caused by a stray arm from Crouch.

  • Adam Johnson
    11
    3
    2.50

    Adam Johnson

    Seemed fired up early on for the challenge against rookie full-back Danny Rose but was not at his terrorizing best. Played some neat and clever passes, especially to Richards and Milner.

  • Nigel De Jong
    10
    4
    3.00

    Nigel De Jong

    Held his position well and produced robust challenges - although he did lose track of Spurs players on a few occasions in the first-half.

  • Yaya Touré
    9
    4
    2.50

    Yaya Touré

    Sliced an early effort wide from 25 yards when he should have done better and seemed to be playing within himself for much of the game as he struggled to free himself of the attentions of Sandro.

  • James Milner
    10
    3
    3.00

    James Milner

    Created the own-goal as he was alert enough to see the opportunity for the short corner and delivered an excellent low ball that Crouch put in to his own net. Workmanlike and industrious in central midfield.

  • David Silva
    16
    4
    3.50

    David Silva

    The spark of class for City in the final third as he picked the ball up in pockets of space and played incisive passes. Neat cutback created an excellent chance for Dzeko and the little Spaniard smashed just over the bar himself from 25 yards.

  • Edin  Dzeko
    64
    10
    3.00

    Edin Dzeko

    The Bosnian certainly seems to be playing with more confidence than earlier in the season and showed he is adapting to the physical side of English football by winning his fair share of headers against Gallas. Few sights on goal but struck an excellent chance too close to Cudicini from inside the penalty area.

Substitutions

  • Aleksandar Kolarov
    11
    5
    3.00

    Aleksandar Kolarov

    Replaced Zabaleta in the 57th minute and was solid in defense.

  • Patrick Vieira
    11
    4
    3.00

    Patrick Vieira

    Replaced Johnson in the 66th minute and was able to help break up Tottenham's passing play. Beat Cudicini with a late effort but it was cleared off the line by Gallas.

  • Carlos Tévez
    13
    2
    3.00

    Carlos Tévez

    The club captain came on to a huge reception for his first appearance since picking up a hamstring injury in April. Shot saved by Cudicini with the last kick of the game but could now start in the FA Cup final.

  • Carlo Cudicini
    16
    2
    3.50

    Carlo Cudicini

    The Italian finally got his chance due to an injury to Heurelho Gomes and produced a sharp reaction save to deny Dzeko in the first-half and a late stop to keep out a Tevez effort. Could do nothing about the City goal and always looked reliable.

  • Vedran Corluka
    12
    4
    3.50

    Vedran Corluka

    The Croatian received a smattering of boos on his return to his former club but responded with a strong performance as he defended well in one-on-one situations and got forward to support Lennon at every opportunity.

  • Michael Dawson
    9
    2
    3.00

    Michael Dawson

    A more comfortable evening than the Tottenham captain might have expected. Strong in the air and covered well to read danger but lack of pace exposed on one or two occasions.

  • William Gallas
    7
    3
    3.00

    William Gallas

    In the wars as he went down and required treatment no less than three times before he was finally replaced in the 88th minute. Got tight to Dzeko and did a reasonable job, although he did lose a few headers. Excellent late clearance off the line to deny Vieira.

  • Danny Rose
    14
    0
    3.50

    Danny Rose

    A very mature display from the youngster up against a tricky customer in Johnson. Gave absolute commitment, showed good anticipation and had the energy and pace to keep going forward.

  • Aaron Lennon
    14
    3
    3.50

    Aaron Lennon

    Always looked the visitors' most dangerous attacking outlet with his pace as he looked to take on Zabaleta and then Kolarov. Also able to produce the final pass, creating excellent chances for Modric and Pienaar.

  • W. Palacios
    2
    7
    2.50

    W. Palacios

    Back in the side after an injury lay-off and never seemed to be with the pace of the game as he allowed City players to run from midfield. Substituted just after the City goal in the 32nd minute with an apparent re-occurrence of his knee problem.

  • Sandro
    15
    2
    4.00

    Sandro

    The Brazilian was once again hugely impressive as he used his strength and athleticism to dominate the midfield. Some excellent tackles in the first-half were matched by driving runs after the break as Spurs went on the attack.

  • Luka Modric
    34
    5
    3.50

    Luka Modric

    Showed he is a class act with clever and efficient use of the ball and some lovely link-up play. Forced to play deeper after Palacios' injury and therefore had fewer opportunities to open up the City defense in the final third. Missed wonderful chance to give Spurs the lead but stroked his effort just wide.

  • Rafael van der Vaart
    4
    7
    3.00

    Rafael van der Vaart

    A neat and tidy display from the Dutchman as he operated in between City's midfield and their defense. Unfortunately for the visitors, he was well off the mark with shots from outside the penalty area.

  • Peter Crouch
    8
    28
    2.50

    Peter Crouch Flop of the Match

    How ironic that he should score the own-goal to decide the match at the same ground where he secured Champions League football for Tottenham last season. The England striker was a handful for the City defenders but one that, by and large, the hosts were able to cope with. Far more of a threat when able to challenge for high balls in the hosts' penalty area.

Substitutions

  • Younes Kaboul
    2
    2
    0.00

    Younes Kaboul

    Replaced the injured Gallas two minutes from time.

  • Steven Pienaar
    6
    7
    2.50

    Steven Pienaar

    Replaced Palacios in the 32nd minute and went close just after the break with a header that forced Hart into a brilliant save. It was the highlight of a rather sloppy display.

  • Jermain Defoe
    3
    2
    0.00

    Jermain Defoe

    Replaced Crouch 12 minutes from time and looked hungry without ever getting a genuine chance to score.

Results
 
Match News
Player Ratings
Tournament
Position
Ranking
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Man United
26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool
23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham
21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa
19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City
19 0