Spurs at sixes and sevens

Manchester City shredded the English Premier League’s meanest defence with a 6-0 home thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday to go into the top four.

Jesus Navas put City ahead after 15 seconds after a mistake by Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris before an own goal by Sandro and Sergio Aguero’s deft finish made it 3-0 before half time at the Etihad Stadium.

Tottenham, who had only conceded six league goals before Sunday, could not stem the flow after the break with Aguero and Alvaro Negredo both finishing clinically.

Navas completed the rout in stoppage-time as City’s goal tally for the season rose to 34.

City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon, again selected in place of England’s Joe Hart, had precious little to do as Tottenham’s goal-shy attack failed to make any impression.

City’s sixth win from six home league games put them on 22 points from 12 games, above Southampton on goal difference and six points behind leaders Arsenal.

Tottenham, who have managed a meagre nine goals in 12 league games, have slipped down to ninth with 20 points.

Kim Bo-kyung headed in a stoppage-time equaliser to give Cardiff a 2-2 draw against Manchester United and deny David Moyes’ team a chance to move above City into the top four.

Kim met a free kick at the near post to rescue a point for the Welsh club and Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck combined to waste a great chance to net a winner moments later.

Rooney had put United ahead in the 15th minute with a shot from inside the area that deflected off a defender and into the net. The striker had been lucky to remain on the pitch earlier when he kicked out at Jordan Mutch but escaped with just a booking.

Former United player Fraizer Campbell equalised for Cardiff in the 33rd, but Patrice Evra restored the visitors lead when he headed in a corner just before half time.