Spurs began brightly and Gus Poyet went close with two headers while Defoe cut inside and drilled a shot wide.

City went ahead when Nicolas Anelka jinked past Gary Doherty and scored at the second attempt, while Paul Bosvelt saw an effort sneak past the post.

Poyet hit the bar before Spurs levelled when Defoe turned past Sun Jihai and drilled a low shot home, while Robbie Keane's late strike was disallowed.

Spurs had dropped Keane to the bench after the 3-1 defeat at Everton on Good Friday and they looked keen to banish the memory of the Goodison Park debacle.

Mauricio Taricco - restored to the line-up in place of Stephen Kelly - found space very early on down the left and his cross was headed wide by Poyet.

Defoe took the opportunity to have a run at the City defence and he cut in from the left before slamming a shot wide of David James' left-hand post.

KEY MOMENTS 25 mins: Anelka scores at the second attempt 34 mins: Bosvelt shoots wide 50 mins: Poyet hits the bar 52 mins: Defoe equalises

It was all Spurs, and Steven Carr crossed from the right for Poyet to head straight at James, before Freddie Kanoute's drive forced a brilliant save from James after Defoe's clever dummy.

It seemed a matter of time before Spurs went ahead, but they were caught by a sucker-punch when Anelka skipped past Gary Doherty and beat Kasey Keller at the second attempt.

The hosts went in search of an equaliser and Simon Davies' shot was saved by James before City nearly doubled their lead, Bosvelt crashing a right-foot shot inches wide from 20 yards as Spurs were opened up again.

Spurs' Jermain Defoe (left) held up by  Man City's Richard Dunne

The home team's defence, which had been so badly exposed by Everton, appeared not to have learned from their mistakes at all.

They continued to give the ball away needlessly, this time Anelka crossing for Robbie Fowler who somehow shot straight at Keller from just six yards.

City looked full of confidence and came out flying after the break flying, Shaun Wright-Phillips causing mayhem down the right before his wicked cross was eventually cleared.

Having looked so impressive for 45 minutes, England goalkeeper James then came for a cross and completely missed it, Poyet heading Taricco's centre onto the crossbar.

When Spurs did get back on level terms, it was down to more poor defending, this time at the other end.

Defoe latched onto Davies' cross and Sun Jihai let him turn six yards out and shoot low past James.

City brought on Paolo Wanchope for Fowler and the Costa Rican went on a typically mazy dribble to set up Steve McManaman, who saw his goalbound shot deflected over by Kelly, who had come on for the injured Carr.

As the game wore on Spurs began to dominate, and two brilliant blocks inside a minute from Richard Dunne stopped Defoe and Keane efforts.

Keane thought he had won it with the clock ticking down but he was flagged for offside after putting the ball past James.

The point leaves City just three points above the relegation zone having played a game more than the three sides below them.