Just hours before Tottenham welcomed Aston Villa to the Lane, Liverpool played to a 1-0 win over Everton in the Merseyside derby, putting Spurs just outside the top 4. Knowing they needed a win, Tottenham went into the game strong getting off some excellent shots early on. As Villa are recently known for their defense, Spurs really put them to the test and forced some brilliant clearances and saves. New Spurs signings, Eidur Gudjohnson and Younes Kaboul, did not feature as they played to a 0-0 draw splitting the points.
Now just outside the top four by one point, Harry Redknapp said, “I thought we played well and that’s always the main thing for me. We created all the chances but just couldn’t get the break. I thought we were the better side and I thought the same when we drew at Villa Park. They got some great blocks in and their centre-halves kept throwing their bodies in the way. They did that well and they are well-known for doing that. I couldn’t fault the way we played.”
“It would have been great to get the three points but it wasn’t to be,” he continued. “We’ve still only lost once in the last 12 games and we’re on a good run, playing well. We played well at Birmingham last weekend, excellent at Leeds, the squad’s looking strong, so we’re okay.”
When asked about the race for the top four he said, “It was a big result for Liverpool, they ground out a result. It’s their weekend but it will be someone else’s weekend next weekend and someone else’s the week after. That’s how it goes. It’s going to be tight and go to the wire.”
Tottenham next play Wolves away and then Bolton in the FA Cup 5th round tie. Then on the horizon are Wigan and Everton to finish out February.
Jill Guthrie
