Manchester City’s super sub Edin Dzeko scored three minutes from time to give the champions all three points in a physical game at the Etihad against Spurs.

David Silva was welcomed back to the City starting line-up as Andre Villas-Boas made the brave call to leave midweek hat-trick hero Jermain Defoe on the bench, with former City forward Emmanuel Adebayor starting.

The visitors enjoyed the better of the first half, using their width well and they took the lead mid-way through the first half. Tom Huddlestone whipped in a delightful free kick for youngster Steven Caulker to powerfully head through Joe Hart and into the bottom corner. The England number one clearly felt he could have done more to keep it out.

Individual battles were flaring up all over the pitch and at times threaten to spill over, but referee Michael Oliver was in full control of the game.

Manchester City improved in the second half and dominated possession, attacking Brad Friedel’s goal from all angles and eventually made the pressure tell. Yaya Toure went on one of his trademark runs through the heart of the Spurs defence and two deflections later the ball fell for Sergio Aguero who neatly passed the ball into the back of the net.

City then began to really overrun Spurs in the final third but a string of stunning saves from Friedel kept them at bay but eventually after a stunning through ball from David Silva, Dzeko gave City the win with a quality finish.

A gut wrenching time to concede for AVB’s team, but a deserved win for City as their super sub does it again.

City close the gap at the top of the table to just two points after Manchester United’s win yesterday, and Spurs remain in sixth after losing from a winning position.