No goals but plenty of thrills from two of the sides hoping to make serious challenges for the Premier League title this season.
It was a game when the defenders came out on top, and no-one was more impressive than Joe Hart in the City goal.
Roberto Mancini's big call was whether to recall the fit-again Shay Given in goal or give the number one shirt to Hart, back from a season's loan at Birmingham City.
Hart got the nod, and 45 minutes later it was clear why. The young England keeper was outstanding, holding a rampant Spurs side at bay almost single-handedly with six terrific saves in the first-half alone.
From the tenth minute, when he made a point-blank reflex save from Jermain Defoe's volley, to the closing stages of the half, when he made a double save from Defoe again after the England striker was put clean through on goal, Hart was magnificent.
Soon after that first save from Defoe, Hart was at full stretch to tip away a thumping drive from Tom Huddlestone. From the ensuing corner, Hart tipped over a rising volley from Benoit Assou-Ekotto that took a deflection on the way.
Hart then saved from Defoe with his legs, and made a great stop to deny Aaron Lennon's shot after Gareth Bale's shot flew back off the base of the far post.
Bale was always dangerous for Tottenham, who edged City out of the Champions League places last season and were much the better side for the first half.
While Hart was keeping Spurs out, Heurelho Gomes in the Tottenham goal did not have a save to make until the 37th minute, when he dived to stop a deflected shot from Yaya Toure.
The former Barcelona midfielder made a strong start, while David Silva, also imported from Spain this summer, struggled to adapt to the pace of the Premier League in the early stages.
Carlos Tevez, wearing the captain's armband, was City's most dangerous player as they eventually got into the game, and at the start of the second-half they looked much better.
Shaun Wright-Phillips should have scored when he was clean through on goal in the 46th minute, but hesitated and allowed Assou-Ekotto to nick the ball away.
Both managers made key changes in the 67th minute, with Robbie Keane and Roman Pavlyuchenko going on for Spurs, and Adam Johnson replacing Wright Phillips. Johnson had a quick impact, setting up Tevez for a shot that was deflected over the bar, while at the other end Keane set up Pavlyuchenko for a shot that Hart saved.
Pavlyuchenko then turned provider, crossing low towards Keane, but when the ball fell to Bale with the goal at his mercy, he shot horribly wide with his weaker right foot.
Minutes later Bale crossed for Pavlyuchenko, who looked certain to score before Vincent Kompany made a superb interception. Pavlyuchenko flashed shot wide of the far post in the closing minutes, and Ledley King made a vital stop from substitute Emanuel Adebayor with the last kick of the game to ensure both sides ended with a point.