New England goalkeeper Joe Hart gave a world-class display to deny Tottenham three home points against big-spending Manchester City.

Spurs created numerous chances during an utterly dominant first half. And although they were more disjointed after the break, they still had, and spurned, opportunities to win.

Hart twice denied England colleague Jermaine Defoe, the first save an especially magnificent left-handed stop from Defoe’s right-foot shot on the turn, six yards from goal.

Hart also kept out a vicious 25-yard volley from Tom Huddlestone and Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s deflected long-range effort, which looked destined to dip under the crossbar.

And when Hart was beaten by Welsh full-back Gareth Bale’s low left-foot drive, the post came to his and City’s rescue.

Shortly after half-time, Shaun Wright-Phillips wasted City’s best opportunity, hesitating in front of goal after latching onto Yaya Toure’s long ball.

And Ledley King’s block on a Carlos Tevez effort spun inches wide of an unguarded goal on 71 minutes.

However, Spurs finished strongly. And Bale should have won the game on 84 minutes when substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko’s right-wing cross was half-cleared straight to him.

But he fluffed his right-foot shot with Hart a mere onlooker as the ball bobbled harmlessly wide.