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Hart Saves City In Opening Day Draw

The question of who would start in goal was answered as Joe Hart beat Shay Given to the Number One position and produced an outstanding display to keep the blues in the game in the first half and secure their first point of the season.

Hart made three excellent saves from Jermain Defoe, Tom Huddlestone and Benoit Assou-Ekotto as Spurs threatened to kick City’s new look squad out of sight in the Premiership opener. Spurs Gareth Bale also hit the post during a first half of dominance for the home side.

The match was eagerly anticipated following the penultimate game of last season when Spurs beat City at Eastlands to secure a fourth place finish and the home side were looking to continue their fine record against City which had seen them win the last seven games at White Hart Lane.

City gave debuts to Yaya Toure, David Silva and Aleksander Kolarov, but they couldn’t stem the tide that threatened to sweep the blues away in the first half.

Defoe, who is always a threat in the Spurs front line, brought Hart’s first save of the game as the young City keeper dived to his left to keep the shot out. Huddlestone then hit a volley, which produced another good save while Hart saved the best until last with a brilliant stop to deny Assou-Ekotto top corner bound shot.

Bale then hit the post shortly after being denied a penalty following a challenge with Micah Richards and the follow up was cleared of the line by apparent Arsenal target Vincent Kompany.

City gained some shape following the break and Yaya began to find some form. The new signing looped a ball over the top of the Spurs defence for Shaun Wright-Phillips, who was brilliantly tackled be the impressive Assou-Ekotto. Fellow new boy Silva saw his shot blocked by Ledley King following another good ball from Yaya, while last season’s top scorer Carlos Tevez shot was deflected agonisingly over the bar.

Spurs substitute Roman Pavlychenko had another couple of chances to win the game for Spurs but Hart was equal to the test as City held on for a point and finally ended their run of defeats at White Hart Lane.

What do you think? Were City lucky to escape or did we deserve the point? Let us know your thoughts on the game.

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