Emotional Mahles seals for Man City at Tottenham

LONDON (Reuters) – TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0 MANCHESTER CITY 1

Manchester City returned to the Premier League summit on a 1-0 victory over fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur courtesy of Riyadh Mahrez at a subdued Wembley Stadium on Monday.

It was not free-rolling City of late and Tottenham will street missing some good opportunities to salvage something from a rather disjointed affair we have a patchwork pitch.

Mahrez caught Tottenham cold in the sixth minute after a defensive mistake but in the city of NFL fixture a day earlier.

David Silva and Mahrez both could have the game beyond Tottenham but the hosts, who were four-match winning run in the league and could have gone above.

Dele Alli returned from a hamstring injury for Tottenham and his arrival as a substitute sparked some late pressure in which Erik Lamela spurned a glorious late chance to equalise.

City held form for a sixth consecutive Premier League clean sheet to knock Liverpool off top spot. They both have 26 points while Tottenham have 21.

After the tragic events of Saturday in which Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha the king joined the other people in a helicopter crash outside the King Power Stadium, it was fitting that Mahrez, a Leicester hero during their 2016 title success, was the one who scored.

The game was only six minutes old when City keeper Ederson launched the ball forward, quarterback style and Spurs right back Kieran Trippier made a mess of his clearing header net past Hugo Lloris.

The Algerian celebrated in poignant fashion by raising both arms towards the heavens.

"I am very, very sad. That's why when I got my hands in the sky for him, "Mahrez, who was voted PFA Player of the Year after Leicester's stunning 2016 title, said.

"He did a lot for me and Leicester and it is difficult to speak about. It is very sad. "

Spurs appeared to lack confidence in the opening stages and City threatened every time they went forward.

Mahler had another shot turned to the post by Lloris while Silva fired straight at the French keeper.

It was not all one way traffic, but it was defeated at times. Tottenham striker Harry Kane whizzed one shot Loudly over and over his touch he was played by Aymeric Laporte.

The halftime interval featured a message for a Spurs maestro Glenn Hoddle, who suffered a heart attack on Saturday, and Mauricio Pochettino's side could have used some of Hoddle's flair as they sought a way back into the game.

In the 55th minute when Bernardo Silva played in namesake David But the Spaniard inexplicably opted to shoot with the goal gaping – City coach Pep Guardiola angrily kicking the air.

Tottenham grew up in the heart of the world, and the country was in the lead for the first time. Lamela, the Argentinean, was looking at the crossbar.