Newcastle mauling

Manchester City's Alvaro Negredo (C) shoots and scores his goal during their English Premier League soccer match against Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England, Nov 24, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Tottenham's afternoon got steadily worse as they slumped to their heaviest league defeat since a 7-1 mauling at Newcastle United in 1996.

"It was a difficult start for us after that. Everything you had in mind goes down the drain," said Tottenham's stunned manager Andre Villas-Boas, in charge for the 50th league game.

"Everything went bad for us from being one of the best defences in the country to suffering six goals. There's not a lot we can say. City were excellent, we were extremely poor today and paid a heavy price."

Another poor clearance by Lloris led to the second goal after 34 minutes when Younes Kaboul's clearance from Aguero's shot cannoned in off Tottenham midfielderSandro.

Aguero's deft finish just before halftime effectively killed off Spurs and when he and Alvaro Negredo produced superb finishes early in the second half the Londoners were in danger of suffering their worst Premier League defeat.

Villas-Boas gave striker Emmanuel Adebayor his first appearance of the season after the break but Tottenham's goal-shy attack rarely threatened City goalkeeperCostel Pantilimon, again selected in place of England's Joe Hart.

Navas ran through to complete the rout in stoppage-time after a defence-splitting 50-metre ball from James Milner.

Manchester City's Jesus Navas (top L) celebrates after scoring his second goal past Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (L) and Jan Vertonghen (R) during their English Premier League soccer match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England, Nov 24, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

While City appear to be on the up despite some poor away results, Tottenham, who have managed a meagre nine goals in 12 league games, have slipped to ninth with 20 points.

After their worst start to a Premier League season, David Moyes's United have begun to climb the table and looked to continue their improvement at Cardiff.

Rooney, who was lucky to stay on the pitch after tangling with Mutch early on, fired them ahead after 15 minutes following a sharp turn.

Cardiff equalised through former United striker Fraizer Campbell after a flowing move and were matching the champions all over the pitch until Evra headed in Rooney's corner on the stroke of halftime.

In a thrilling finale Kim headed Cardiff level in stoppage time only for Rooney to then waste a glorious chance to snatch victory for United at the other end.

"It was disappointing not to take all three points," said Moyes.

Despite television evidence to the contrary he and Cardiff counterpart Malky Mackay agreed Rooney did not deserve to be sent off.

"That was not a lash out in any way," said Moyes. "It was about feeling hard done by with the boy running across his path."