City beat Spurs to take last Champions League spot

Manchester City 1 Tottenham 0. Manchester City secured their place in the Premier League's top four with a nervy 1-0 victory over rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Eastlands. The win, courtesy of a Peter Crouch own goal, guarantees City Champions League football next season for the first time in their history.

The match was the climax of a season-long tussle for fourth spot between City and Spurs, a reality that made for a tense affair. Despite long periods of Tottenham possession, and some fine saves by Blues goalkeeper Joe Hart, it was City who managed the only goal after Crouch stuck out a foot in his own penalty area and diverted a low cross into his own net.

For Man City, the result is revenge for the defeat Spurs inflicted on them late last season that denied them Champions League football. For Tottenham, and particularly Peter Crouch – who also scored the winner (at the right end) in that fixture last season – defeat is a bitter pill to swallow. Despite a glorious European campaign, Spurs are now fighting with Liverpool to secure the Europa League place that fifth position brings.

The achievement is the first major success for the club's Abu Dhabi owners. Sheikh Mansour and his fellow Middle Eastern backers have spent millions in pursuit of European glory since their 2008 takeover made City the richest club in the world. Under the guidance of Italian Roberto Mancini, installed as manager in late 2009, their investment has finally begun to pay off.

"When I arrived I said in two or three years Manchester City will become one of the top teams in Europe," Mancini said after the game. "We have everything to do this," he added.

The manager's accomplishments should not be underestimated. Ridiculed by some corners of the media for his penchant for sharp suits and flamboyant scarfs, Mancini has built on the foundations laid by Mark Hughes to take the team into the Champions League and the FA Cup final in less than 18 months.

With captain Carlos Tevez's lively seven-minute cameo as a late substitute proving he is fit and ready to play at Wembley, City will be strong favourites to beat Stoke to the FA Cup this Saturday.  

The victory over Spurs not only secured City a minimum of fourth spot, but also moved them to within two points of stuttering Arsenal, with two games still to play. Should the Blues manage to pip the Gunners to third place, they are guaranteed an entry straight into the Champions League group stage, avoiding the potential pitfalls of qualification.

Either way, top European football will be a major selling point when Mancini looks for big-name transfers in the off-season. Already City's manager has been linked with bids for disgruntled Cesc Fabregas and Ajax central defender Jan Vertonghen. With a place in the Champions League secured, expect City to be at the centre of transfer speculation this summer.   ·