Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City played out an entertaining but goalless draw in the much awaited curtain raiser for the new Premier League season.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was unable to pick David Bentley, Jamie O'Hara or Jonathan Woodgate for this encounter, owing to ankle, back and groin injuries respectively. But the good news came in the form of left-back Gareth Bale making the starting line-up, having recovered from a bruised leg that kept him out of the recent international friendly between Wales and Luxembourg.

Meanwhile, City manager Roberto Mancini decided baptise three of his new signings in Premier League waters, as he handed debuts to midfielders Yaya Toure and David Silva, and defender Aleksandar Kolarov.

One of the talking points prior to this game was the uncertainty concerning the first-choice goalkeeper for the Eastlands club, as Joe Hart's incredible performances last term - with Birmingham City - coupled with international experience appeared to have threatened Shay Given's status - which was seemingly immovable around this time last season.

The former Inter boss chose give the 23-year-old a look in ahead of the Republic of Ireland international, as uncertainties with regard to Given's future came to the surface.

The home side kick-started the new season by attacking the Park Lane end, employing a very positively style of play - albeit in the presence of a mildly subdued atmosphere.

But any sign of passivity among the home fans was replaced by excitement as a free-kick taken by Bale was headed down by towering striker Peter Crouch, which saw Hart bump into the post as he pushed the ball away to safety.

Ten minutes into the game, a cross from winger Aaron Lennon was headed down by Crouch, as striker Jermain Defoe produced a magnificent shot on target that provoked an equally brilliant response from the shot-stopper.

If there were any doubts concerning Mancini's selection concerning his 'keeepers prior to the start of this game, they were well and truly erased as the England international managed to prevent a deflected shot from Benoit Assou-Ekotto that was headed towards the top corner. The string of three saves may bode well for the young 'keeper's international career, as Three Lions boss Fabio Capello was watching the proceedings from the stands.

It took 30 minutes for the ex-Shrewsbury Town shot-stopper to be beaten, as some good play by midfielder Luka Modric and then Bale allowed the latter to send in a shot. But the strike that beat the 'keeper did not beat the post, and the follow-up from Lennon was blocked by a defender.

The visitors' defence was shown up yet again, when Defoe had no significant trouble breaking through to get a shot away - which produced yet another save from the 'keeper. The diminutive striker tried to get the ball into the back of the net on the rebound, but lost his balance whilst under pressure from Kolarov.

City eventually did manage to get some possession towards the latter stages of the first-half, but were unable to do anything significant with the ball.

Pablo Zabaleta came on in place on Kolarov, who appeared to have twisted his ankle, prompting the manager to make a substitution in the process. And it was less than a minute later, when winger Shaun Wright-Phillips broke through and was in all kinds of space. But the former Chelsea man took too much time as Assou-Ekotto got a tackle in and neutralised the danger.

The familiar fall of rain greeted the players as the game began to become a little less frantic towards the hour mark, with the travellers having clawed their way back into the game. The introduction of Adam Johnson into the midfield even brought about bursts of positivity, but Spurs were still relatively comfortable throughout.

With less than 10 minutes to go, Mancini's men were enjoying a good amount of possession, but were found lacking in ideas in the attacking third of the pitch.

On the other hand, the home side appeared to know precisely what they wanted to do with the ball, as substitute Giovani dos Santos sent one into the centre - aimed at fellow substitute Robbie Keane - as the ball eventually fell to Bale, whose wrong footed shot went well wide of the mark. The Welshman will likely feel that he could have done much better on that occasion.

Roman Pavlyuchenko, who had come on in place of Defoe, also tried to do his bit in the push to get that all-important goal, but the score line remained goalless.

As the referee brought the first game of the season to a halt, both teams walked away with a share of the spoils.

Watch highlights of Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Manchester City

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