Robbie Keane came off the bench to pinch a late winner as Tottenham wrecked Stuart Pearce's managerial start in temporary charge of Manchester City.

City had gone behind to a 14th-minute goal from England striker Jermain Defoe after Nedum Onuoha had gifted possession to Andy Reid.

But Claudio Reyna struck a minute before the break and the goal appeared to have earned City a point until Keane's winner six minutes from time.

But the game ended in controversy with City midfielder Joey Barton forced to leave the field for treatment with blood pouring from a head wound after complaining he had been elbowed in an off-the-pitch incident as Keane scored.

Tottenham began the game hoping to end a dismal run that had seen them lose their last three games without scoring once.

Their FA Cup exit to Newcastle at the quarter-final stage was sandwiched between defeats on their travels in the Barclays Premiership to Southampton and Charlton.

The opening 10 minutes provided little interest for the followers of either side with much of the game bogged down in the midfield.

Indeed, neither of England's two goalkeepers, Tottenham's Paul Robinson or City's David James, was troubled during an insipid period of play.

Pearce, taking charge of the City side for the first time following the departure of Kevin Keegan, must have been pleased with the effort and endeavour shown by his players as they allowed Spurs little room to exploit their free-flowing passing game.

It took Spurs until the 14th minute to hit the target when Defoe tested James but seconds later the home side went in front thanks to a comedy of errors rather than design.

James threw the ball out to Onuoha on the right but the youngster allowed it to run under his foot. Before he could recover the situation, Andy Reid took possession but the Tottenham winger's low cross was missed by the incoming Defoe.

However, the ball broke kindly for Simon Davies who then looked to have squandered the chance by miscuing his shot completely. Fortunately for Spurs though, Davies' wayward effort was neatly turned home from six yards by the alert Defoe.

In the 33rd minute City showed some attacking desire when Antoine Sibierski sent a left-foot shot towards Robinson's goal but the England number one was more than equal to the challenge.

Two minutes later though Robinson had to be at his best to keep out a fierce drive from Barton as City at last began to take the game to the Londoners.

City's twin efforts sparked Spurs into life and Michael Brown let fly with a left-foot effort from 20 yards that forced James down to his knees to collect.

But City got their just reward in the 44th minute when Reyna converted a sublime chip pass from Robbie Fowler to level the scores.

Reyna cut inside to take possession of Fowler's exquisite lofted pass and gave Robinson no chance with a fierce drive.

The second half began with the same fragmented play from both sides but it was City who looked the more threatening.

Kiki Musampa was causing Stephen Kelly a host of problems on the left flank and in the 61st minute he forced the Spurs full-back into another foul.

Barton's subsequent free-kick had to be clawed away to safety by the outstretched Robinson and Spurs then dealt with Fowler's ball back into the danger area but the warning signs were beginning to increase for the home side.

In the 63rd minute Musampa almost put the visitors in front but could not trouble Robinson from eight yards as he sent his shot wide of the keeper's right-hand post.

But Spurs almost went back in front in the 67th minute when Reid let fly with a 20-yard shot that James was forced to tip over the bar as it swerved towards the top corner. Eleven minutes from time Jol replaced Reid with Republic of Ireland striker Keane as Spurs searched for the vital winner.

The change worked as the game erupted in controversy six minutes before the end when Keane grabbed a sensational late winner from a Davies cross as Barton was left on the ground after an off-the-ball incident.

Barton was forced to leave the field with blood pouring from a facial wound and complaining that he had been elbowed by a Spurs player.

Teams

Tottenham Robinson, Kelly, Naybet (Gardner 76), King, Atouba, Davies, Brown, Carrick, Reid (Keane 80), Defoe, Mido (Kanoute 65).

Subs Not Used: Davis, Cerny.

Booked: Atouba, Defoe.

Goals: Defoe 16, Keane 84.

Man City James, Onuoha (Mills 83), Distin, Dunne, Jordan, Reyna, Sibierski (Flood 76), Bosvelt (Macken 89), Barton, Musampa, Fowler.

Subs Not Used: Sommeil, Weaver.

Booked: Dunne, Fowler, Barton.

Goals: Reyna 44.

Att: 35,681

Ref: B Knight (Kent).