The Dutch defender got the crucial touch to finally bring City's long drought away to Spurs to an end and keep dreams of another treble alive.
Manchester City had to wait 538 minutes to score at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and it was the scrappiest goal they could have imagined, but they won't care. Nathan Ake bundled the ball in from a corner with just minutes to spare in a game high on physicality but low on quality and even lower on excitement.
Oscar Bobb thought he had scored within the opening minutes but his strike was fractionally offside. City bossed the first half but their domination was sterile.
Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku were introduced to add some flair but in the end it was a centre-back who got the all important touch, sparing City a replay and keeping their dream of repeating last season's treble alive.
GOAL rates Man City's players from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium..
GettyGoalkeeper & Defence
Stefan Ortega (6/10):
Did well to deny Brennan Johnson on a one-on-one, the only notable chance Spurs created. His passing was slick although one was intercepted.
Kyle Walker (6/10):
Had a compelling battle on the right flank with Timo Werner and came out on top. Shy when it came to joining the attack.
Ruben Dias (7/10):
Stood firm and faced down Spurs when they were at their strongest in the second half.
Nathan Ake (7/10):
Physical and stylish and capped his solid performance by winning the match.
Josko Gvardiol (5/10):
Another average display. Posed no threat in attack but imposed himself in defence. When will Guardiola see sense and play him in the centre again?
AdvertisementGettyMidfield
Bernardo Silva (6/10):
Made lots of slick passes and inventive runs but couldn't weave his usual magic.
Mateo Kovacic (8/10):
City's best player. Outstanding on the ball and put himself about when needed to halt Spurs' counters.
Rodri (6/10):
Focused more on keeping City's shape in midfield rather than creating.
GettyAttack
Julian Alvarez (6/10):
Good movement and skills but couldn't make the final pass or killer touch. Taken off for De Bruyne.
Oscar Bobb (5/10):
Denied an early goal by a wafer-thin offside. Struggled to prise Tottenham's physical defence open.
Phil Foden (6/10):
Orchestrated City's attacking play until De Bruyne came on but was pushed around a lot by Spurs.
GettySubs & Manager
Kevin De Bruyne (6/10):
Didn't have the same impact as in his previous cameos although it was his corner which led to Ake scoring.
Jeremy Doku (7/10):
Added some excitement and unpredictability to City's attack and nearly got a winner, just failing to beat Guglielmo Vicario.
Pep Guardiola (6/10):
It was a scrappy game but his side were in control for most of it and going through was all that mattered.