Robbie Keane had put the visitors ahead in the 32nd minute of this Barclays Premier League contest by clipping a left-footed shot past Joe Hart.

However, just before the hour Stephen Ireland poked home from close range before Nedum Onuoha's powerful 72nd-minute header clinched a first victory since the Manchester derby on February 10.

Ireland's strike ended a six-hour 14-minute goal drought stretching back to that success over United and provided the catalyst for a much-improved display from Eriksson's previously struggling side.

It was their first win in six home matches and their first victory over Tottenham since April 2003.

This was also only the second time this season City had won after going behind.

"It was extremely important for us, we had had three games with no goals and three games with one point," said Eriksson.

"I don't think we played badly in the first half but we should have been more lively and shown less respect.

"I think we did it in the second half and scored two goals. I think if you look at the game we deserved to win it."

There was a suspicion of offside about Ireland's goal, while Tottenham had a late Darren Bent goal ruled out by the assistant referee's flag when it was Dimitar Berbatov who was the offending player further over.

However, Eriksson said it was about time his side had some good luck.

"I don't remember when the linesman helped us the last time - it has been many times for the opposition," said the Swede.

"I don't know if he did this time but I think we deserved to win, we created more chances than they did."

On Ireland's goal he added: "It's very difficult to see. Even if it is offside I think Spurs owe us one or two offsides."

The defeat capped a miserable week for Tottenham after they were knocked out of the UEFA Cup on penalties by PSV Eindhoven.

Head coach Juande Ramos felt his players eased up after going in at half-time 1-0 up.

"We were so much in control of the game it maybe made our lads think that maybe the game was won before it was over," he said.

"We were finding everything quite easy up to that point. I think the equaliser had two benefits: it picked them up and maybe then we struggled to keep control of the ball from that moment.

"The second goal was definitive because it decided the game and it was difficult to pick things up after that."

Keane's controversial replacement by Darren Bent in the 66th minute provoked a petulant response, the Republic of Ireland international hurling his tracksuit top to the floor as he sat down on the bench.

Ramos said he did not see the incident but stressed players had to accept it was a squad game.

"I think it is normal. Players want to play and they are disappointed when they are replaced," he said.

"It is football. We have got a squad and we have people on the bench and we have to share out the minutes between the people available."