Peter Crouch’s own goal ensured Manchester City will make their debut in the Champions League next season as Roberto Mancini’s side overcame Tottenham 1-0 at Eastlands on Tuesday.
England striker Crouch broke City’s hearts last season by scoring the winner which denied City a place at the top table of European football.
But in a huge twist of fate, Crouch put past his own keeper while trying to clear a 30th minute cross by James Milner to guarantee FA Cup finalists City’s a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Mancini’s men are at the very least guaranteed a play-off place in the Champions League. Yet with two games remaining, they could yet overtake third-placed Arsenal, who they trail by two points, and qualify for the group stages.
It was not a vintage City performance by any means.
Luka Modric should have put Tottenham ahead moments before Crouch settled the fourth-versus-sixth showdown.
And it required a stunning save by City’s England keeper Joe Hart to keep out substitute Steven Pienaar’s header in the opening moments of the second half.
But they just about did enough to secure victory ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final with Stoke at Wembley, where City will attempt to secure their first piece of major silverware for 35 years.
Tottenham have endured such a decline since their elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid last month that their main priority now is to beat Liverpool to fifth spot.
Redknapp’s side cannot wait for the season to finish after winning just one of the last 10 league games.
They were grateful to Carlo Cudicini for keeping them on level terms in the early exchanges.
Italian keeper Cudicini was starting his first game for four months in place of Heurelho Gomes, whose form has been suspect to say the least lately yet the official reason given for his absence was a back injury.
Cudicini grasped his opportunity, the former Chelsea stopper saving well from Edin Dzeko’s fiercely struck 11th minute effort after intelligent play by David Silva had teed-up the Bosnian.
Mancini’s side have managed to turn Eastlands into something of a fortress after winning seven of the last eight league games in front of their fans.
Yet after referee Mike Dean had waved away strong claims for a penalty after Michael Dawson’s barge on Milner sent the City midfielder sprawling in the 18th minute, Tottenham began bossing play with Danny Rose a decent outlet attacking from the deep.
Aaron Lennon picked out a fine pass to Modric before the Croatian let fly with an effort which should have found the target but fizzed narrowly wide.
It was a costly miss as City immediately swept forward to take the lead.
Attempting to clear Milner’s cross into the danger area, Crouch only succeeded in deflecting the ball past Cudicini.
Tottenham’s problems went from bad to worse. Moments later Honduras midfielder Wilson Palacios was forced off in the aftermath of the goal.
Yet the visitors would have been level but for a stunning one-handed save by Hart to keep out Pienaar’s powerful header in the opening moments of the second half.
City produced a nervous second half display yet they would have doubled their lead two minutes from the end had William Gallas not headed substitute Patrick Vieira’s goalbound effort off the line.
Another boost for the hosts came in the shape of Carlos Tevez, the Argentina striker playing the final seven minutes after missing the previous four games with a damaged hamstring.
They are the current leading soccer tipsters in this month competition. See also tipsters rankings.
![]() |
frank_senso
posts a Correct Score tip on Boston River vs Ñublense 38 minutes ago |
![]() |
frank_senso
posts a Correct Score tip on Boston River vs Ñublense 38 minutes ago |
![]() |
frank_senso
posts a Correct Score tip on Boston River vs Ñublense 38 minutes ago |
![]() |
frank_senso
posts a In-Play Odd / Even tip on PSV vs Juventus 48 minutes ago |
![]() |
drjaja
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on PSV vs Juventus 1 hour and 7 minutes ago |
![]() |
drjaja
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on PSV vs Juventus 1 hour and 7 minutes ago |
![]() |
frank_senso
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Aston Villa vs Liverpool 1 hour and 26 minutes ago |
![]() |
frank_senso
posts a In-Play Double Chance tip on Aston Villa vs Liverpool 1 hour and 27 minutes ago |
![]() |
Shonibare14
posts a In-Play Over / Under tip on PSV vs Juventus 1 hour and 34 minutes ago |
![]() |
Shonibare14
posts a In-Play Over / Under tip on PSV vs Juventus 1 hour and 35 minutes ago |
Upcoming football matches with excellent head to head records over their opponents.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs who play better for their home games H2H.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs that play well for their away games.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Motivated teams after winning five matches in a row or they have maintained a ten-match unbeaten run. The bookmakers label them as favourites for a reason.
Teams in crisis after five consecutive defeats or they did not win their last ten football matches. You should avoid betting on these underdogs.
Teams having a draw in the last five matches.
Teams that have won all their home matches.
|
Sign in to view more football teams.
Teams that have not lost at home matches.
|
Sign in to view more football teams.
Teams that have not won at away matches.
|
Sign in to view more football teams.
This tipsters ranking is based on single picks excluding doubles and multi accumulators. For the full ranking click here.
Tipsters with consecutive winnings in their recent predictions.
Tipsters whom have lost a few matches in a row. Bad luck you call it.
It makes my analysis of odds sharp, and it also keeps me closer to what is happening in terms of results. What I hope I will benefit is the skill to always makes a profit in gambling
From as little as $1 per soccer tip.
|
Arbitrage is an effective way to make guaranteed profits without losing your money.
Analyze soccer matches, inclusive of past results, head to head stats, today match fixtures, live soccer odds, players and team form.
Check the latest and fastest live score results for all football matches. Know who are the goalscorers, yellow card and red card offenders.
Read up these useful tips for soccer betting.
Get the listings of soccer leagues and competitions for each region, including past seasons results and football statistics.
Want to bet on a match today? Check out the list of today match fixtures.
Read MoreGet the match results for all the soccer matches around the globe. Inclusive of half-time, full-time results.
Read MoreAre you an expert in soccer betting? Join SoccerPunter Tipsters competition to challenge against the top football tipsters and win prizes!
Read MoreCopyright © 2002-2025 SoccerPunter Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment: