Man City 4-1 Tottenham, RESULT: Raheem Sterling double, Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan punish sloppy Spurs to seal 16th consecutive victory for Pep Guardiola's side
- Ilkay Gundogan headed Manchester City into first half lead against Tottenham
- Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling added to the scoring in second half
- Christian Eriksen grabbed consolation goal in stoppage time for Tottenham
- Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Otamendi, Mangala, Delph, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Gundogan (Foden), Sterling, Aguero (Jesus), Sane (Bernardo Silva)
- Tottenham starting XI : Lloris, Trippier, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose (Davies), Dembele, Winks, Eriksen, Alli (Sissoko), Son (Lamela), Kane
- READ: The full match report from the Etihad Stadium
Now they have all tried and now they have all failed, those other five heavyweights of the Premier League who purport to chase the title.
We had told ourselves that this league was more competitive than ever; that only England could boast six teams which could genuinely contend for the top spot, unlike those continental European leagues where it was often all over by Christmas.
READ: The full match report from the Etihad Stadium
Tottenham's punishment for failing to do any defensive homework is to drop down below Liverpool on goal difference.
Manchester City meanwhile are rewarded for another scintillating display and a 16th straight victory with a 14-point gap at the top of the table heading into Sunday's games.
That's all from me here. Thanks for following. You can catch all the post-match reaction on the homepage.
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90+3min: This is perhaps Tottenham's reward for at least trying to attack City at points this evening, with Christian Eriksen squeezing a neat finish into the bottom corner.
90+1min: Three minutes will be added on as Sissoko is booked.
90min: That's four and in fairness, it really should be much more. Tottenham's 'give up when the going gets tough' attitude continues as Eric Dier fails to cut out a simple ball, allowing Raheem Sterling to take the ball past Lloris and to roll the ball into an empty net.
88min: Final change for Tottenham as Ben Davies replaces Danny Rose.
85min: Bernardo Silva is also on for City now as he replaces Sane. Tottenham's heads have gone now. There are still more goals in this for City if they want them...
84min: With Tottenham looking a rabble, City throw on Phil Foden for Gundogan, while Alli is booed off by the home fans following that dangerous challenge on De Bruyne as he is replaced by Moussa Sissoko.
81min: Good night, Tottenham. City hit Spurs on the break yet again and like a knife through butter they work the ball into the Spurs box before a squared ball is touched home by Raheem Sterling.
78min: Lamela is straight into the action too. His cut-back eventually finds Harry Winks who rather than going down under a Fernandinho challenge elects to stay on his feet, only to lose his balance and fail to get a shot on goal.
Graham Poll believes had he gone down, he would have been justified to be awarded a penalty.
77min: Tottenham make their first change as Erik Lamela replaces Son.
76min: City take pity on Spurs perhaps though, Jesus hits the post from the penalty spot with Sterling then firing the rebound over.
75min: Tottenham really need to grow up. This is pathetic. De Bruyne gets on the end of a pass inside the box before the sloppiest of sliding challenges from Jan Vertonghen brings down the Belgian.
73min: Tottenham are beaten but how is their discipline now? City are looking to pile on the misery.
70min: Well Kevin de Bruyne looks ok now, finishing a wonderful City counter attack by blasting past Lloris from the angle. The Spurs keeper perhaps cold have done better but the bottom line is City finally have the two goal lead they thoroughly deserve.
'That's a red card. I think he knows what he's doing - he's looking at the player.'
68min: Reckless from Dele Alli who is booked after lunge/stamp on Kevin de Bruyne's ankle.
But it could quite easily be a red card, with the play coming to a halt as the Belgian is treated.
65min: Hugo Lloris keeps Tottenham in it with a fine save. Leroy Sane charges with purpose from the left flank at the visiting defence before his drive is parried away by the Spurs keeper, with Sterling then missing the rebound.
62min: One of the more simple yellow cards of the evening as Mousa Dembele hauls down Fernandinho.
Gabriel Jesus, having only just come on, has decided to change to change his boot - yes boot. New footwear on the left foot for the forward. I can only roll my eyes in despair.
60min: Danny Rose fires over the crossbar for Spurs with an ambitious 23 yard drive, but these low risk efforts are starting to turn into City opportunities.
Not that Spurs are doing anything wrong but Ederson's goal kicks have been something else as he plays a stunning 70-yard ball to Raheem Sterling on the flank. Spurs will have to watch out for those...
58min: Manchester City make their first change and Sergio Aguero is far from happy with it. The Argentine throws his gloves down on the pitch in disgust before trudging off with his head down. Gabriel Jesus is on to replace him.
'That’s more attacking intent in nine minutes from Spurs than the first 45 minutes. Must have been a decent Pochettino team talk.'
'Spurs just can't get their final pass right, the latest example being Harry Kane's ball into Son, just a tad too strong. But make no mistake, Pep Guardiola won't be counting his chickens yet. Spurs are just about hanging in there.'
55min: Spurs are looking far more comfortable on the ball this half but City crucially remain composed at the back.
The visitors work the ball to Kane 23 yards out, and his shot on goal is well palmed behind by Ederson.
52min: Stick to shooting, Kane. The Tottenham striker lunges in with a reckless tackle on Raheem Sterling resulting in a yellow card.
51min: This is Tottenham's best period of the game as now on the right side near the box Fabian Delph is booked for a trip.
50min: Spurs are rather fortunate not to concede a free-kick after Harry Winks trips Fernandinho, but play goes and it results in a dangerous Spurs counter.
Kane leads it through the centre but his attempted through ball for Son rolls out of play after being overhit.
48min: Better play from Tottenham, but even Manchester City's attacking players know how to defend as Harry Kane's chip towards the back post results in Leroy Sane putting Son Heung-min under enough pressure to prevent the Spurs forward from getting in a shot on goal.
47min: Spurs are given another let-off here. Kevin de Bruyne's corner finds an unmarked Eliaquim Mangala at the near post, but his upward header goes nowhere and allows Spurs to win the ball before clearing.
Will Manchester City's total domination continue or can Tottenham somehow get a foothold in this?
'Pochettino surely has to make a change? All his big guns – Alli, Kane, Eriksen – ineffective that half.'
If Manchester City are going to fill their boots in the second half - don't be surprised to see Leroy Sane key amongst it. The winger has had the freedom of the left flank and Kieran Trippier simply has no way of stopping him.
Here is his first half heat map.
Click here for more maps and stats with our excellent Match Zone
'A fog has descended on the Etihad towards the end of another good half of football for Manchester City.
'They had enough chances to put this game to bed after scoring their third goal in a row from a set-piece but Spurs are still in it.'
And on balance, Spurs have toppled into the latter category. It's been admirable to see the north London side leave Son Heung-min and Harry Kane up top in an attacking move but the consequence of that is Manchester City being totally dominant in midfield.
Spurs will be furious that only a terribly defended set-piece leaves them behind at the break but City have had a good penalty shout turned down and created a host of chances. Spurs should count themselves lucky they are still in this game...
45min: We are into two added minutes of this first half.
43min: Pochettino will be desperate for half-time here. Spurs need a regroup as they are being given a football lesson by Manchester City in this first half.
The trouble is for the visitors is they are simply not learning anything from it.
40min: I forgot Dele Alli was on the pitch but he finally gets involved... bringing down Gundogan to give City a free-kick 40 yards out to the left. Tottenham's attack has been close to non-existent.
37min: A heavy touch from Sane is all that has prevented City from doubling their lead, after his attempts to control allowed Lloris to block at his feet.
Meanwhile Nicolas Otamendi is booked after his high boot to Harry Kane's face, leaving Pochettino less than impressed with his compatriot nearby from the touchline.
34min: Tottenham's best moment of the half as Harry Kane fires just wide across goal from the edge of the box. An equaliser for Spurs would be highly against the run of play but it does just show they are still in this game.
'It's been one-sided but it's still only 1-0. There was a game like this at The Etihad last season. City dominated Chelsea, led 1-0, but ended up losing 3-1 in a dramatic turnaround after Kevin De Bruyne had missed a glorious chance for a second.'
Good reference from Joe, but there is absolutely no way I can see this Spurs side doing something similar. Don't forget Pep Guardiola's side have improved quite a lot since that fixture.
32min: Trippier is down receiving treatment for Tottenham. I can only assume it's for twisted blood given the runaround he has been given by Sane so far.
If this first half-an-hour has proved anything, it's just how far away Tottenham are from challenging for a league title. Manchster City are all over them.
30min: Did Spurs do any defending drills in training this week? Kevin de Bruyne spots Sane in acres of space on the left with a fantastic long ball, before his low far post cross results in Rose making a crucial interception.
27min: So what can Tottenham do with a rare set-piece in Manchester City's half? Sweet FA is your answer as Christian Eriksen's ball into the box is no more than catching practice for Ederson.
Back come City, with Gundogan forcing Lloris into another parry. Spurs are looking so sloppy at the back I wouldn't be surprised to see City find the net a few times this afternoon.
'That sliced cross from Rose is indicative of Tottenham’s lacklustre start: a sloppy finish to what was a promising move, the first time they have attacked with verve.'
24min: Danny Rose's transfer value must be plummeting as this game goes on as now in a good attacking position on the left he wastefully slices the ball out for a goal kick.
Moments later Ederson plays a 50-yard pass for Sane, who tees up Aguero. The Argentine sees a shot well saved by Hugo Lloris before Raheem Sterling fires the rebound wide.
21min: Tottenham have a problem... well two problems. The first is Sane is absolutely terrorising Trippier on the left, constantly beating him for pace and skill.
The second is there is major brain failure among the visitors so far. Danny Rose is extremely fortunate not to concede a penalty after a very blatant, if very subtle, push on Eliaquim Mangala's back inside the box.
'City's goal was well-deserved. They look like a well-oiled machine, Tottenham still trying to work out what formation they are playing. Dele Alli has been in no-man's land, neither a defensive nor offensive midfielder.'
'Pochettino will be furious with that. You can accept conceding to this City side if they pass through you or catch you on the counter. But to do so after 14 minutes from a corner by losing a midfield runner is making life nigh impossible.'
14min: This is shocking from the Tottenham defence - truly abysmal. Leroy Sane whips an outswinging corner into the centre and there to head home completely unmarked is Ilkay Gundogan.
Click here for more maps and stats with our excellent Match Zone
'In the first ten minutes, this is a much more cautious Spurs than usual. Almost sitting off City. Maybe they just can’t get the ball.
'There is also an uncharacteristic sloppiness about them: Tripper, Alli and Lloris have all skewed clearances/passes thus far.'
10min: But seconds later City win a free-kick, resulting in Kevin de Bruyne's delivery being headed wide by Sergio Aguero at the near post.
9min: Manchester City finally find a gap in the Spurs defence. Leroy Sane leaves Kieran Trippier trailing on the left with embarrassing ease before Jan Vertonghen then intercepts the following cut-back.
6min: Manchester City are getting into their stride now though as they start to control possession. Spurs holding firm for now though.
3min: No early chances at the Etihad - plenty of pressing though as both sides are keen to put pressure on defenders in possession.
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So can Tottenham Hotspur cause a shock and end Manchester City's winning run? Spurs are woeful away at the 'big six' under Mauricio Pochettino - winning just once during the Argentine's tenure.
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SPOT OF PRE-MATCH READING:
Pep Guardiola labelled his Manchester City side 'animals' after their record-breaking 15th straight win and you can see why he chose that description of his predatory players.
The Premier League leaders have been behind for just 70 minutes of the campaign since drawing with Everton with only Bournemouth (8 minutes), Huddersfield (2 minutes) and West Ham (13 minutes) taking the lead against City.
City's progression under Guardiola this season has been rapid with their 52 goals coming from all angles.
Leicester 0-3 Crystal Palace (early kick-off)
Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle
Brighton 0-0 Burnley
Chelsea 1-0 Southampton
Watford 1-4 Huddersfield
It really is a lovely evening for some top Premier League action.
Let's hope the play on the pitch lives up to the billing of this one. This clash of giants is certainly seen as a potential game of the season.
In all honesty, when these two teams get together they rarely disappoint - 15 goals in their last five meetings. I'm expecting another thriller with plenty of goals.
14 February 2016: Man City 1-2 Tottenham
02 October 2016: Tottenham 2-0 Man City
21 January 2017: Man City 2-2 Tottenham
Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle
Brighton 0-0 Burnley
Chelsea 1-0 Southampton
Watford 1-3 Huddersfield
Stoke 0-1 West Ham
RIATH AL-SAMARRAI FOR THE DAILY MAIL: There was no ambiguity in Mauricio Pochettino’s words when the subject of celebration etiquette was put to him on Friday afternoon — he won’t hesitate to crank the music up loud if Tottenham succeed in ‘killing’ Manchester City on Saturday.
It has become a topical, if surreal, issue in light of the exception Jose Mourinho took to the volume of City’s victory playlist after Manchester United had lost the derby last Sunday.
Tottenham will be the next club to risk their eardrums when they step out at the Etihad Stadium against this juggernaut of a City team, which is hunting a 16th straight win and yet more daylight between them and the chasing pack.
As things stand a win for Tottenham would see them breach the top four and leapfrog their arch-rivals Arsenal while a win for City would extend their lead at the top to 14 points.
A City win would pile the pressure on United, who face a trip to Alan Pardew's West Brom in the afternoon kick-off tomorrow.
Feel free to have a little catch up with the LIVE Premier League action with Sportsmail's DAN RIPLEY while we wait for the team news to filter through.
KIERAN GILL: It is almost two years since Dele Alli scored that strike at Selhurst Park, securing himself Goal of the Season and helping him to Young Player of the Year too.
The next season, he scored 18 times and assisted seven, once again winning him Young Player of the Year and another spot in the Team of the Year.
His third campaign, however, has not been the charm. Alli has looked out of sorts in the Premier League, unconfident and less threatening. Rested against Brighton in midweek, he is set to return for Manchester City.
Tottenham have uploaded a video of some of the best goals they have scored against today's opponents in recent years.
There's a few Christmas crackers in this bunch!
The records keep coming for Manchester City, if they keep this up the accolades that inevitably goes with the territory will in time too.
Another victory and another convincing performance on Wednesday evening saw City break the Premier League record for the most consecutive wins as they beat Swansea to a pulp in their own backyard.
The Old Trafford fracas was pushed firmly to the back of the mind as Pep Guardiola's side recorded a routine 4-0 victory to register their 15th win on the bounce.
Hello and welcome to LIVE coverage of today's late Premier League kick-off. Manchester City are looking to extend their extraordinary league winning streak to 16 games while Tottenham will be eager to claim the three points as they continue to push for a top-four spot.
Don't go anywhere, team news is on its way!
Manchester City will target a 16th consecutive Premier League victory when they host Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium to conclude Saturday’s action.
Pep Guardiola’s side are runaway leaders in the table and another win will see them pull 14 points clear of nearest rivals Manchester United who play on Sunday.
Spurs meanwhile are trying to boost their chances of a top four finish but have struggled away from home against major rivals under Mauricio Pochettino. Follow all the action from the 5.30pm kick-off as it happens.
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