Ramos hails Spurs performance

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Goals from Jermain Defoe and Steed Malbranque either side of Didier Zokora's sending-off ended City's proud 100% home record, stretching back 10 matches.

While Ramos was dismayed at referee Steve Bennett dismissing his centre-half, he was thrilled at the way his players responded, saying: "It is a positive result and sets us up for the rest of the season. To come away with a 2-0 victory will stand us in good stead and help the mind-set of the players."

He added: "Given the circumstances, it has to be the best performance since I took charge.

"We were away from home against a team like Manchester City, who are high in the league and on a good run of form at home.

"Not only that, we were a man down from the 20th minute yet still managed to get through. We got our just rewards."

Zokora was dismissed for lunging at Elano, but Ramos said: "It wasn't a sending-off, not in a game like this.

"A cup tie generates a heated atmosphere, and the referee has to be a bit more flexible. It was unfair."

Defoe was unhappy at being sacrificed, with defender Teemu Taino drafted into the action. It meant Dimitar Berbatov being employed as a lone striker -and the Bulgarian put in a solid shift.

Ramos said: "Defoe understands the change was tactical. He knows we had to bring on an extra defender."