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MARIO BALOTELLI came off the bench to rescue three precious points with a last-gasp penalty. Manchester City appeared to be home and dry when second-half goals from Samir Nasri and Joleon Lescott put the hosts in firm control. Nasri's explosive 56th-minute finish was followed by Lescott's bundled effort just three minutes later but the Premier League leaders quickly wobbled once again. Stefan Savic's mistimed header allowed Jermain Defoe to cut the arrears on the hour mark and Gareth Bale stepped up to curl home a stunning equaliser 25 minutes from time. But with Defoe going desperately close to netting an injury-time winner, it was Balotelli who kept his cool to convert a a spot-kick with virtually the last kick of the game. Tottenham knocked the ball around with confidence in the opening stages, while Gael Clichy made City's first real contribution by getting himself booked for deliberately blocking Kyle Walker's throw-in with his hands. The home side gradually imposed themselves on the game and Ledley King was forced to charge down Sergio Aguero's drive after the striker had dribbled into space. City wasted the resulting corner and play quickly swung down the other end, with Bale delivering a tempting ball into the danger area. David Silva, Nasri and Aguero began to get on the ball more as the half wore on, without causing too many problems for the visiting defence. But that nearly changed in the 17th minute when Nasri released Silva. The Spaniard's cutback found Aguero but his shot deflected off strike partner Edin Dzeko and rolled harmlessly wide. Spurs midfielder Scott Parker was next to miss the target as both teams continued to feel each other out. Aguero's pace and power threatened Tottenham again in the 25th minute when he turned Younes Kaboul before teeing up Silva to flash a left-foot drive just past the far post. Brad Friedel then had to be alert to race from his line and beat Dzeko to the ball as the hitman chased a defence-splitting pass from Nasri. And the American keeper was quickly called into action again, blocking Aguero's shot with his legs after Micah Richards had created an opening. Rafa van der Vaart had a couple of shots blocked as Spurs came back into the game but Harry Redknapp's men looked increasingly toothless up front with Defoe isolated as the lone striker. Bale drew a free-kick from Lescott, which Kaboul wastefully blasted high and handsome over Joe Hart's goal to sum up an entertaining but goalless first half. City started the second period brightly and Friedel was forced to palm away a cross from Dzeko after Silva had caused problems with a skilful dribble. Spurs launched a quick counter with Van der Vaart feeding Bale but the danger was quickly snuffed out before Parker picked up a booking for tripping Aguero. Silva's free-kick was eventually cleared and the visitors swept upfield to win a corner, only to see it come to nothing once again. The breakthough quickly followed, Silva splitting the Tottenham defence to allow Nasri to rifle home. Spurs were still reeling from falling behind when Milner's corner was flicked on by Dzeko and Lescott stumbled before carrying the ball over the line with him. But they were thrown a lifeline when Stefan Savic's poor defensive header allowed Defoe to race around Hart and roll the ball into an empty net. Roberto Mancini responded by sending on Balotelli in place of Dzeko but the Italian's plans were thrown into disarray when Aaron Lennon teed up Bale to whip home with his left foot. Van der Vaart was the next player to leave the fray and was replaced by midfielder Jack Livermore. Bale then did his best to lay on a goal for Lennon but the winger could only fire tamely at Hart. Friedel was quickly out to snuff out the threat of Balotelli before Defoe shrugged off Lescott, only to miskick at the crucial moment and allow his England colleague to clear. Balotelli was next in Howard Webb's notebook for a rash challenge on Benoit Assou-Ekotto as the game entered the final 10 minutes. And the Italian was caught up in another controversial moment just minutes later when he appeared to tread on Parker's head. He escaped further punishment and saw a shot blocked as City's frustration continued to grow. The hosts continued to probe but it was Defoe who came agonisingly close to netting an injury-time winner when he prodded Bale's centre wide at full stretch. There was still time, however, for King to send Balotelli tumbling in the box and the striker dusted himself off to net the crucial goal from the spot.