Spurs won 2-1 because agile skipper Hugo Lloris got a hand to a ball that was going onto the head of Otamendi at the end.
The defender thought he was about to head the equaliser but the keeper tipped the ball over his head and away.
The first half was strange.
A week ago I’d thought that City would really miss the variety of playmaker Kevin Be Bruyne.
While Kyle Walker was making Raheem invisible, I was missing young Kevin.
It was 0-0 at half-time and City seemed baffled, stifled and flat.
They’re unaccustomed to being pinned in their own half. They usually have much more of the ball and a lot more time on the ball. But you can only play as well as you’re allowed to play.
After 31 minutes, Spurs had 72% possession: that’s how much Citeh were missing the gifted KDB.
Spurs were playing keep-ball in City’s half but not creating anything. It looked as if City were scared of them, scared of losing, scared of it turning into an open game.
At HT I thought that if it was still goalless after 65, Spurs would win by outrunning City.
In 53, ref Clattenburg gave a penalty for a handball against Raheem that he did not see and could not have seen. Raheem jumped and turned his back on a Danny Rose cross. The ball hit Raheem’s upper ribs by his armpit and was never a penalty.
Harry Kane, a very good penalty-taker, smacked it past his mate Joe Hart.
City then woke up and Yaya Toure hit the bar with a free-kick.
Pellegrini then made a smart substitution, bringing on Nigerian striker Ineacho for anchorman Fernando.
In 74 Clichy played a one-two with Silva and cut the ball across the goalmouth for Inechano to sweep home in fine style.
1-1 AND GAME ON !
But by then I was thinking neither side deserved to win.
Walcott, Welbeck and Ineacho had made it a super Sunday of subs. 3 subs, 3 big goals.
Then Pochettino brought on Erik Lamela for Dele Alli, who got the ball in centrefield and zoomed forward and nutmegged Otamendi with a tasty pass to Christian Eriksen, who took one touch and slotted sweetly with his second.
Very slick winning goal. Incisive run, incisive pass, incisive finish by Eriksen.
Yesterday was the Dane’s 24th birthday & that was a champagne goal.
Skipper Hugo Llloris soon had to make that wonder-save at the death.
But Valentines Day ended with Leicester still top and Spurs above Arsenal on goal difference and a helluva lot still to play for.
The unpopular Yaya Toure won’t be jogging for Pep next season. Because he won’t be there.
I just hope Pep gives KDB the major role he deserves.