Cards on the table

THERE should be plenty reasons to keep our eyes glued to the pitch when Manchester City face Spurs tomorrow, not least because here are two classy sides who, on a good day, are well capable of paying more than lip service to the idea of football as the beautiful game.

With Manchester United and Arsenal also renewing old acquaintance, the ‘Super Sunday’ appellation could, for once, err on the side of understatement. But I suspect it will be the outcome of the game at the Etihad which will have the biggest bearing on the outcome of the league. City might have regressed into their shell somewhat in recent times, but even in the absence of a couple of regulars, they still ooze quality around the pitch. As for Spurs, never short of entertaining, they could really seize the moment to announce themselves as genuine title contenders.

Either way, with exciting talents like Silva, Modric, Bale, Van der Vaart and Lennon on show, there will be considerable disappointment if this one falls short of the status of certified cracker. Yet don’t be surprised if the cameras regularly tear themselves away from the action to give us a close-up view of the home dug-out. At the merest hint of a dodgy tackle, handball or professional foul – on the part of the visitors, of course — expect the director to order up a shot of Roberto Mancini, just to see what the Man City boss is doing with his hands.