Milner: We got in a spot of bother

BATTLE STATIONS ... James Milner holds off Tottenham star Gareth Bale

JAMES MILNER insists Manchester City would only have had themselves to blame for dropping points against Tottenham.

Mario Balotelli's last-gasp penalty secured a precious home win after City had thrown away a two-goal lead.

Second-half strikes from Samir Nasri and Joleon Lescott put the Premier League leaders in total control, only for Jermain Defoe and Gareth Bale to pull Spurs level inside five breathtaking minutes.

But Balotelli's spot-kick netted victory with virtually the last kick of the game — and left the blue half of Manchester breathing a collective sigh of relief.

Milner said: "It's massive, we knew how big a game it was.

"They've been playing really well and they had the incentive with after we defeated them 5-1 at their place in August.

"It was an exciting game for the neutral but we'd like it a bit more boring next time!

"We took our foot off the gas and gave them one sloppy goal. They're a good team, if you give them a sniff it gives them the momentum to go on.

"We were well on top, scored the two goals and probably should have controlled the game better than we did."

Substitute Balotelli insisted he felt no nerves as he stepped up for the vital spot-kick.

He said: "I was calm, like every time I take a penalty."