The irony of one of Liverpool's most battling displays of the season helping arch rivals United end the weekend nine points clear following Saturday's 1-0 win at Fulham will not be lost on either set of fans but their draw was fully deserved.
Second-placed City have dropped points twice in a week following a 0-0 draw at bottom side Queens Park Rangers and only the most avid fan will think the champions can overhaul United now despite last season's stunning fightback.
"Liverpool played a good game but we conceded two goals, stupid goals for me," City boss Roberto Mancini told Sky.
Edin Dzeko had given City the lead midway through the first half and slightly against the run of play when he slotted in James Milner's low cross from close range.
Sturridge, given his big break at City before leaving for Chelsea and then Liverpool, refused to celebrate his goal but the away fans were soon almost cheering again when Zabaleta's bad backpass just went wide of Joe Hart's post.
Seventh-placed Liverpool, gradually improving under Brendan Rodgers despite last weekend's FA Cup loss at third-tier Oldham Athletic, also managed a 2-2 draw at Arsenal on Wednesday but have not beaten a side in the top half of the league this term.
Any hopes of doing so against the champions after a bright first half seemed to have been dispelled by City's improved display after the break.
However, out of nowhere Gerrard chested the ball down 30 metres from goal following a clearance from the box and sent a fierce strike into the corner of Hart's net.
City were not to be outdone, though, as Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina came charging out of goal and the box near the left byline and Argentina's Aguero somehow clipped the ball past the Spaniard and into the unguarded net.
The victory for fourth-placed Spurs, which came despite their only available forward Jermain Defoe limping off in the first half, put them a point behind Chelsea in third after Rafael Benitez'
