Ben Kinsella, The Sun:
It was as comfortable as it can get as Tottenham threatened to run riot, before clinging on to secure a deserved win.It was no surprise when Georgios Samaras failed to emerge for the second half after a tragic performance in the first.
But still Spurs were the dominant side, though predictably, City mounted an aerial bombardment as time ticked away - but was there really any use in bombing long balls to Paul Dickov, who is barely 5ft tall?
It was meat and drink to Ledley King and Calum Davenport, with City needing to rely on the dangerous Vassell to create any unrest in the visiting defence.
There was a scare late on for Martin Jol's men when Joey Barton collapsed under Steed Malbranque's challenge in the box but City's claims were waved away by referee Andy D'Urso — the correct decision.
David Anderson, Daily Mirror: In a first half of extremes, Spurs were sparkling, while City were truly awful. The visitors could easily have scored four or five.
The Blues improved after the interval and pulled a goal back through Joey Barton, but the damage was done in the first 45 minutes.
City were in complete disarray and their midfield was offering no protection to poor old Richard Dunne and Sylvain Distin.
City re-emerged transformed from their shambolic display in the first half. The feisty Paul Dickov led the fightback and he had a shot deflected just over before substitute Stephen Ireland blazed over.
City eventually ran out of steam and the best they could manage was a half-hearted penalty appeal for a challenge by Steed Malbranque on Joey Barton.
But an equaliser would have been tough on Tottenham.
James Ducker, The Times: This was a Jekyll and Hyde performance from Manchester City.
For the first 45 minutes at least, City appeared determined to let Tottenham run up a cricket score. Haphazard defending, even poorer passing and a masterclass in anonymity from Georgios Samaras, the striker, allowed Tottenham the freedom to do as they pleased.
How City trailed only 2-0 at the interval was a mystery, but having failed to put the game to bed, Tottenham were forced to endure a nervy final 25 minutes when Joey Barton pulled a goal back
It might have ended all square had Barton not been denied a penalty five minutes from time.
Tottenham were two goals to the good inside 24 minutes who ultimately, had Tom Huddlestone to thank.
Duncan White, Daily Telegraph: Inspired by an imperious performance from Tom Huddlestone who made the first and scored a sublime second.
A truly abject first-half performance cost City this game.
Steed Malbranque and Dimitar Berbatov squandered straightforward chances to score the third as City just crumbled.
Pearce was decisive at half-time. Off came the inept Giorgios Samaras, on came defender Nedum Onuoha, with City switching to 3-5-2. That brought significant improvement, which at least restored some dignity.
Steve Bierley, The Guardian: There was a half-chance for Dimitar Berbatov in the opening minutes, a warning of what was to come, and with City's initial forays getting nowhere fast, Tottenham counter-attacked with precision and élan.
City just about held themselves together, only to fall behind in the 16th minute after the hapless and hopeless Samaras had fouled Steed Malbranque.
Worse was to follow with a superbly struck second goal from Tom Huddlestone.
City slid from ordinary to dire to inept, with a number of players seeming not to be trying, notably Georgios Samaras. Not surprisingly he did not last beyond half-time.
Strong words at the interval by Stuart Pearce, plus a rejig in the formation, saw City recoup a little goodwill and for long periods Tottenham were under sustained pressure, notably after Barton had narrowed the deficit.
But for City the damage was done in that first half and, for all the second-half energy they expended and pressure they mounted, it was all in a lost cause.
David Instone, The Independent: Spurs bounded out of the starting blocks and it doesn't get any easier then it was in the first half here.
Dimitar Berbatov, Steed Malbranque and Jermain Defoe missed clear chances before and after Tottenham's first goal.
Spurs were even more superior in the first half than a two-goal lead would suggest, whilst City were abject defensively.
The admirable Joey Barton pulled one back to render the rest of the game meaningful but substantial pressure failed to bring significant other openings.