Premier League: How Spurs Against Man City Went from Domination to Rivalry

Over the past thirty years or so, the meetings of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City were defined not so much by rivalry but by a couple of other themes.

In the Premier League era it had mostly been a case of Spurs being City's bogey team. The latter of course were out of the division for a time, but in 29 top-flight meetings since 1992 Spurs had won 19 to City's five, another five being drawn.

In the FA Cup, two replayed ties between the sides some 23 years apart provided two of the competition's most thrilling matches. Spurs won the FA Cup in 1981 as Ricky Villa's double inspired a 3-2 victory. In 2004, City exacted a revenge of sorts when they came back from 3-0 down to win 4-3 in the third round.

But since the two battled for fourth place and a Champions League spot in 2009/10, there has been an undoubted escalation of 'hostilities'.

When the two sides met in May 2010, with Champions League football for the following season on the line, the game was suitably tense. Spurs of course came out on top, Peter Crouch heading in the late winner.

Meetings between these sides have come to say a great deal about their respective health.

Back in May 2010, Spurs were clearly the more established team considering City boss Roberto Mancini had only taken over five months earlier.

When the two met on opening day in August that year, Tottenham dominated. But they could not find the net due to the outstanding performance of Man City keeper Joe Hart.

Result: 0-0 draw.

Had Spurs won, they might have gained the psychological benefit of defeating the big-spending City again.

Instead, the repeat of their Champions League playoff in May 2011, showed City as the team with momentum.

While a win would have kept Spurs in contention for a return to Champions League football, they looked all but done for the season before the game even begun.

City, in comparison, was flying.

Though this meeting only finished 1-0 thanks to a Crouch own-goal, Man City looked much the better team.

The 5-1 thrashing they handed out to Spurs this past August confirmed.

Manager Harry Redknapp's side was outworked. Edin Dzeko's dominated the lackluster defense–in particular Younes Kaboul.

While Kaboul typified their poorness that day, he has since represented their resurgence.

The talented French defender has added much-needed concentration to his game. Now, the whole team is more focused.

By building a solid foundation, based on fundamentals, they have demonstrated a capacity for quality.

Now Tottenham prepares to take on City once more, they sit in third place, still in contention for Champions League football and a title. City is unbeaten in the League at the Etihad Stadium and are clearly favourites ahead of the meeting.

The stakes are once again high, and undoubtedly the game will indicate more broadly of where Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur really stand.