Tottenham's acting manager David Pleat refused to get involved but was fully aware of the incident. Pleat said: "I don't comment on those things. But Michael was certainly aggrieved."
Pleat deserved credit for the way he transformed his team during half-time after a woeful first 45 minutes.
On came Stephane Dalmat and Johnnie Jackson at the start of the second half in place of the injured Darren Anderton and Mauricio Taricco.
The changes worked wonders and Spurs ripped into City from the restart. The only reason they failed to win outright was Helder Postiga's continuing wastefulness.
It was no surprise when Doherty equalised after Postiga's corner caught City's rookie goalkeeper Kevin Stuhr-Ellegaard flapping at thin air.
Stuhr-Ellegaard, making only his fifth appearance of the season in place of the cup-tied David James, misjudged the dipping ball and Doherty headed home from point-blank range.
It was the signal for a resurgent Spurs to search for the winner and Postiga wasted two clear chances, the best a header from less than six yards.
City, without a win at their new stadium since 18 October, managed to stem the white tide with the introduction of Shaun Wright-Phillips.
The youngster tormented Spurs but it was fellow sub Jon Macken who should have won it for Kevin Keegan's men.
However, he sliced the ball wide with only Kasey Keller to beat when a square ball would have left Anelka with an unchallenged tap-in.
But a City winner would have been unfair on spirited Spurs.
Pleat added: "I am filled with pleasure because of the way my side came back from a mediocre first-half and played so well in the second.
"Taricco had stitches in a head wound and it was like Emergency Ward Ten in the dressing room, but the doctor did a great job. It wasn't the stitches that beat him in the end, it was a foot injury.
"Anderton had a touch of tendonitis before the game and was honest enough to say he was struggling. But there was no question - I would have changed things at half-time anyway.
"It was such a young side but they changed the game dramatically. It was a vibrant performance and full of character in the second period.
"At half-time our supporters would not have known what to do, but they returned home with hope."
Pleat was also full of praise for Postiga despite his failure to earn Spurs their fifth win on the bounce.
Pleat said: "He produced a great corner for Doherty's goal. It was something we had worked on so I was pleased with that.
"I thought Postiga dovetailed well with Keane and some of their play in the second half was very good.
"They looked like a partnership and a combination worth seeing. They worked very hard for each other."
Keegan's side are suffering from a major confidence crisis at their new stadium and the former England boss admitted it is getting to his players.
He said: "We have a magnificent stadium, yet we have only won four games here and that is disappointing.
"When you have not won at home for a long time and there is a shadow hanging over you, it can get to some of the most experienced players.
"Collectively we are lacking confidence and we will only get out of this collectively."
City have now won just once in their past 17 games and among those was a Carling Cup defeat at the hands of Spurs at White Hart Lane.
