Manchester City – Tottenham Hotspur

1. Commentary will appear here from 1945 BST.

2. This game represents a huge opportunity for City as victory will put them into next season's Champions League qualifiers and a chance of overhauling Arsenal in third.

3. A victory for Spurs, meanwhile, would keep their rapidly dwindling hopes of a return to the Champions League next season alive, although their focus may now be on holding off Liverpool in the challenge for the final Europa League spot.

4. City have announced their line-up for the match and Edin Dzeko will be leading the line with Carlos Tevez named, as expected, on the bench.

5. City have also named Kolarov and Balotelli on the bench, but Mancini has named a strong line-up ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final with the likes of Yaya Toure, David Silva and Adam Johnson all in the starting line-up.

6. Spurs have named Cudicini in goal, with the out-of-form Gomes apparently having suffered a back injury.

7. Crouch starts up front while Rose retains his place at left-back.

8. Spurs to save their season, City to augment theirs and achieve Mission 1 of the project? The Champions League is theirs if they want it. I am John Brewin and I shall be bringing you the updates.

9. My rarely used @BrewinSoccernet account can be used if you want to. That's if I remember the password.

10. Off we go. Crouch, who scored the winner last season in this fixture, gets us underway.

11. 1'

    Early burst from Adam Johnson, but he eventually has to keep the ball in. Ball ends up with the lesser spotted Cudicini. Gomes' back must really be sore...

12. 2'

    Not the loudest atmosphere. City fans saving themselves for Wembley? Perhaps their team might do too.

13. 3'

    Garry Cook seen giggling away in the director's box. This could be his night. We don't hear much from him these days. Has someone told him to keep his mouth shut? Transfer deals will be happening soon, we hear.

14. 4'

    Mario Balotelli, the hero of an unnamed schoolboy when Super Mario stepped in to stop him being bullied, is sat with Carlos Tevez in the dug-out. Is he passing on Italian lessons to Tev?

15. 4'

    A burst from Lennon has the crown lifted, but a repeat performance is stopped by the under-rated Zabaleta, who's had a fine season.

16. 5'

    Overlap from Micah Richards is the recipient of a fine pass from Adam Johnson but Michael Dawson clears.

17. 5'

    Zabaleta v Lennon looks a key contest of the night. No Bale, of course, so width will be provided for Spurs by the man known as 'Azza'.

18. 6'

    Dzeko with defensive duties to head away a corner.

19. 8'

    Silva plays a fine pass to Milner. Ball eventually finds itself to Yaya Toure, whose shot is wide. He's quite the attacking midfielder these days.

20. 8'

    Ball passed tamely around the City team. Something being kept in reserve perhaps? Tony Pulis - sans chapeau - is looking on. Whar might his tactics be on Saturday? I wonder...

21. 9'

    Great save by Cudicini! Silva's burst and pass found Dzeko who shot on sight but at the Italian keeper.

22. 10'

    Let's speculate that Gomes may have struggled with that...good on the difficult ones, now very bad on the ones straight at him. Cudicini's reflexes served him well.

23. 11'

    Van Der Vaart slopes off with what looks a facial injury. Booed for it too.

24. 12'

    Crouch cuts a rather lonesome figure up front. Spurs need to go for this, but as yet are pinned back.

25. 13'

    Danny Rose does well as Adam Johnson threatens. He's a player not seen until Saturday after a lengthy period away - on loan at Bristol City.

26. 14'

    Micah Richards admonishes the ref and says he wasn't offside. He does that wavy finger thing that would not be accepted in other spheres of British life. The coiffeured line-o was right though.

27. 15'

    Edge of tension from the Blue Camp. They want the job done and dusted, and perhaps have Arsenal in their sights too.

28. 16'

    Crouch comes deep to play a part in a Spurs move. Vince Kompany sweeps up - City's best player this season, if we set aside David Silva.

29. 17'

    Spurs with patient passing now but they slip as a loose one allows Dzeko's headed pass to nod Milner in. Dawson cut across and Milner fell somewhat easily.

30. 18'

    No pen from prolific ref Mike Dean. Prolific in terms of penalties awarded, that is.

31. 19'

    City pressure and Spurs hack away through Gallas. 'C'mon City,' say the faithful.

32. 20'

    Silva loses possession. It would be a cliche to say that is out of character but I will use it anyway.

33. 21'

    Corner to Spurs after Van Der Vaart and Modric launch snap shots on goal.

34. 22'

    Blocked, and so is the shot from Lennon that followed.

35. 23'

    This is fairly even, City with more vigour, Spurs with more craft.

36. 23'

    Someone on the City bench is very loud, and can be heard above the crowd. Platty? Kiddo? Lombardo? We can't work it out.

37. 23'

    Lennon stopped by Lescott, a good tackle from the surely former England man.

38. 24'

    City under pressure again. 'Away, away,' screams that voice.

39. 25'

    Modric's class shows as he is the architect of a decent move eventually wasted by Danny Rose. Harry Redknapp liked that.

40. 26'

    City sitting back? Seemingly happy to watch the ball being passed in front of them.

41. 26'

    Crouch swings his lengthy appendage - his leg - and balloons over. He is jeered.

42. 27'

    Lennon in space finds Modric in more space, and in front of Joe Hart with an open goal. He missed, and will regret that. City opened up like a can of beans. Tony Pulis looks on with interest.

43. 29'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Goal to City!

44. 29'

    And, oh the irony, it's scored by Peter Crouch. A reversal of last season. Milner's well-struck ball in and Crouch back defending in a manner he should give up after that night in Madrid, toe-bungs it in.

45. 29'

    An own-goal that has been a boon to an ailing City. Meanwhile, Wilson Palacios' race looks run.

46. 29'

    Some rather odd body language between Bobby Mancini and Brian Kidd there. Mancini is beast on the bench. Perhaps he's still angry that Kiddo was calming Pippin Neville on Saturday.

47. 32'

    Spurs in disarray, as Dzeko and Silva nearly get on the end of skewed and panicky touches.

48. 33'

    That goal has swung matters. City are a confidence team - their display at Wembley would reflect that.

49. 33'

    Their fans are in full-on mockery mode of Spurs. Bit of needle after last year?

50. 34'

    And here's Carlos Tevez warming up. Funny how he has declared himself fit for a Cup Final.

51. 35'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Piennaar on for Palacios.

52. 36'

    City now first to every ball and Silva charges through and fizzes a shot over the bar. They want to get this done - rather like their neighbours did at the weekend.

53. 37'

    Spurs attack now. Corluka on the wing crosses and Crouch folds under the pressure of a defensive double-team.

54. 38'

    End to end, then. Both going for it.

55. 38'

    Says Rio Ferdinand on Twitter: "Unlucky Crouchy own goal...I've been there! Against the run of play because spurs started very well."

56. 38'

    I remember a horror show at Blackburn and an OG at Portsmouth from Rio Ferdinand.

57. 38'

    Gareth 'Gaz Baz' Barry is seen on his mobile. Probably reading this commentary. Hi Gareth!

58. 40'

    Lennon thwarted as he made his run on goal. Some needle between Sandro and Dzeko and the Spurs man get the benefit of Mike Dean's whistle.

59. 40'

    William Gallas injured now. Spurs' problems with injury continue.

60. 41'

    Gallas sidles off with what looks like a thigh injury. He'll play on for now.

61. 42'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0510/petercrouchowngoal20110510_275x155.jpg"><br>Peter Crouch scores an own goal to give City the lead</img>

62. 43'

    Lescott hacks away as Lennon overlaps. Dzeko lumbers to do very little at all. He does not look worth the money. He reminds of Claudio Pizarro - great in the Bundesliga - leaden in the Premier League. Though he was a successful racehorse owner.

63. 44'

    'Away,' goes the voice. And City clear a Sandro corner.

64. 44'

    Crowd quiet as many are in concourse tucking into their pie and chips with blue ketchup - if they still sell that.

65. 45'

    4 added minutes. We don't know why. OK, Palacios went off but it was no Carragher-style injury.

66. 45'

    Van Der Vaart chests down and volleys, but his shot is a bit of a 'shinner', to coin a Trevor Brooking-ism, and Hart catches.

67. 45'

    Silva robbed as he looked poised to poke through one of his through balls.

68. 45'

    We are near the end of this dubiously elongated half.

69. 45'

    That is it. We finish with James Milner on the wing, and he was the key man in Crouch's OG. City near the Big League.

70. 45'

    Half-time Twittery welcome to this address: http://twitter.com/#!/BrewinSoccernet

71. 45'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0510/petercrouchrafaelvandervaartwoe20110510_275x155.jpg"><br>Peter Crouch prepares to kick off after his own goal put City into the lead.</img>

72. 45'

    Back underway. 45 minutes left for Spurs to rescue something. Liverpool look on with some interest. For them, Kenny is bringing back the golden days.

73. 46'

    Early doors action for Joe Hart as a Pienaar header looked goalward from a Lennon cross, but a fine palm away - almost Gordon Banks-esque - kept that out.

74. 47'

    Spurs need to go for this. Harry Redknapp's reputation for gung-ho could be augmented tonight.

75. 48'

    Lennon glitters but Corluka wastes his good work.

76. 49'

    Modric stopped Micah Richards with a forceful tackle. He is no Paul Scholes in that regard, though is similar in many others.

77. 50'

    Lennon is doubled up on by De Jong as Zabaleta is having a tough time.

78. 51'

    City not out of the blocks. Are to fear that Bobby has decided to defend? It would hardly be out of character from him.

79. 51'

    Zabaleta in the wars as a Crouch elbow catches him.

80. 52'

    Zabaleta is changing his shirt - he is covered in blood.

81. 53'

    Ball faded in for Crouch, but Kompany heads away. Still all Spurs.

82. 54'

    Sandro and Silva both show determination as they get involved. Every man jack is fighting hard.

83. 55'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Kolarov will come for Zabaleta.

84. 55'

    Van Der Vaart swan-dove as Spurs continue to pressure. But it looked a penalty too.

85. 56'

    Kolarov on now. Lennon must fancy it against him, he's not the quickest.

86. 58'

    Dzeko is City's furthest forward player and he is behind his own centre circle. BOOOO! Boring, boring City.

87. 58'

    Van Der Vaart fires over.

88. 59'

    Crouch said he was fouled. Dean says he was not. The big man has had a mare.

89. 61'

    Crouch climbs above Richards, and nods down. Modric beavers through and is fouled by a Dzeko lumber.

90. 61'

    Van Der Vaart can only hit the wall, and Spurs needed better.

91. 62'

    Corner as Yaya Toure brings down Sandro. It is all Spurs!

92. 63'

    Wembley on the mind? It must be. At least they can say they are defending well.

93. 64'

    Modric decided he'd been fouled and handled. Mike Dean went against him. Harry ain't happy.

94. 65'

    Kompany takes a real risk in overheadkicking a ball behind him. Spurs with all the ball. City have not got out of their half for hours.

95. 65'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> The spirit of adventure continues as Vieira replaces Adam Johnson...

96. 66'

    Pienaar fires wide and over. If Spurs could just show composure, they could get a goal here.

97. 67'

    It seems Rio Ferdinand has annoyed some City fans - they have just had an attack by the way - and is ramping it up: "Why are the city fans getting mad...look at your screen I aint lying...empty seats in the house!!"

98. 68'

    Gallas down again after climbing with Kolarov. Spurs should bring on a forward. Perhaps someone who might have a shot. I know, Jermain Defoe. Though that's all he does...

99. 71'

    Gallas is OK and charges on. Vieira does what he came on for an stops Sandro in his tracks. Spurs' dominance is slightly fading.

100. 71'

     We await Carlos Tevez.

101. 72'

     Danny Rose down. Getting bitty now. Just how Bobby Manc likes it, big-thrilled hunk of fun that he is.

102. 73'

     The fans are bored and are looking away. OK, they are 'doing the Poznan', a Mexican wave for our times. And EVERYBODY loves a Mexican wave, right?

103. 74'

     Meanwhile, Milner nearly got Yaya Toure away.

104. 74'

     Silva plays through Dzeko and he uses his pace...not really...and fires a shot that comes off a defender for a throw.

105. 76'

     Yaya Toure falls over and wanted a penalty. A big man like that can only hurt himself with that type of silliness.

106. 76'

     On comes Defoe. SHOOT!?! You know he will.

107. 77'

     Sandro penalised for getting in the way of De Jong.

108. 78'

     Tevez will soon be here.

109. 79'

     Gallas goes through the back of Dzeko but the end-of-season nature of this means we won't see a booking.

110. 79'

     Angry Bob v Tevez. Tev had his bib off but is told to do more warming up. He has to put the bib back on. Tevez is not happy and looks back in anger. Bob or Carlos? One will go this summer.

111. 79'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Milner booked for fouling Danny Rose.

112. 80'

     Danny Rose tries something silly from a free-kick. He gets a corner.

113. 80'

     City's fans stop their Poznan as Van Der Vaart again wastes a shooting chance. This has been the story of the night. For all their dominance, clearcut chances have been as rare as City trophy wins in the last 35 years.

114. 81'

     That may change on Saturday of course. But not if Dzeko shoots like he did there. His shot resembled a Garryowen in rugby.

115. 82'

     Spurs waste another corner. Pienaar fouls Milner.

116. 82'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Tevez is on, at last. He's not listening to Mancini as he comes on and he is issued with instructions. Off goes Silva, and with him City's creativity.

117. 83'

     Toure's shot is blocked. Tevez gives the ball away.

118. 84'

     Kompany's run out of defence and juggling was perhaps the best bit of play from his team this half.

119. 85'

     Spurs claim a handball in the City area. They do not get it. Gallas limps on, looking angry.

120. 86'

     Tevez springs into life by playing in Vieira for what looked a certain goal. But Gallas got that away, and further injured himself in the process.

121. 87'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Kaboul on for Gallas.

122. 88'

     City called for handball. They didn't get it. They are now minutes away from the Champions League. Or at least, the qualifying round. Arsenal can still be caught. Liverpool and Spurs will now fight it out for fifth.

123. 89'

     Tevez back deep and cheered on his every touch.

124. 89'

     Corluka on the overlap from a Modric pass, Richards gets it behind. Corner that comes to nothing.

125. 90'

     Five extra minutes. City hanging on.

126. 90'

     Modric now gets clear and Vieira makes a marvellous clearance.

127. 90'

     The time ticks on...Hart buys time with a dither over a goalkick.

128. 90'

     'We shall not, we shall not be moved, we are a team that's gonna win the European Cup.' That's the song, though memories of Fenerbahce in 1968 may stir in some oldsters.

129. 90'

     Spurs will miss out on a tournament they really enjoyed but distracted them in the end. Their season died in the Bernabeu really.

130. 90'

     De Jong shows his fire. Tevez conducts in midfield. Kolarov on the overlap but he makes a fumbled attempt. Too excited.

131. 90'

     A premature blast of emotion as fans think the final whistle has gone.

132. 90'

     It's due any minute now. The whistles ring out...Lescott's hoof long goes to Tevez, and he shoots on goal. Cudicini saves and that is it!

133. 90'

     City into the Champions League. Part 1 of their task is done. Part 2 awaits at Wembley. It was not pretty but 'the project' has achieved an objective. A year on, and it is them and not Spurs who have fourth place - at least...

134. 90'

     Big celebrations, though cheery Bobby Manc looks grim-faced in determination. The fans do the Poznan, and dream of Wembley.

135. 90'

     An addendum: Stoke are in the Europa League now.

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