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Woodgate eyes up Euro charge
Tom Collomosse16.03.09
Jonathan Woodgate is confident Tottenham can make a late push for a European place after Harry Redknapp's men finally learned how to win "ugly".
Some of Spurs' attacking play in their 2-1 victory at Aston Villa was excellent, but it was their ability to dig in when Villa were on top that pleased centre-back Woodgate.
Spurs are only four points adrift of seventh place - ahead of West Ham's match with West Brom - which will almost certainly be good enough to secure a spot in next season's revamped Europa League.
After losing seven consecutive away matches in all competitions between 21 December and 19 February, Spurs have now collected seven points from their last three fixtures away from White Hart Lane, and are unbeaten in five Premier League matches.
When asked about a push for Europe, centre-back Woodgate said: "I would rather be an optimist than a pessimist, and I would rather look up than look down. We've got a chance, but let's not get carried away."
Spurs struck an early blow when Brad Friedel could only palm Aaron Lennon's cross-shot into the path of Jermaine Jenas, who headed the visitors into a fifth-minute lead.
A tactical substitution in the first half proved pivotal to Spurs. With Ashley Young running riot against Didier Zokora on the Villa left, Redknapp decided to haul off his makeshift right-back after only 36 minutes and send on Vedran Corluka to shackle Young. The move worked, as Young's influence waned steadily, as did Villa's attacking threat.
Five minutes into the second half, Friedel could only push Wilson Palacios's low shot into the path of Robbie Keane, who steered the ball across the goal line for Bent to apply the decisive touch.
Substitute John Carew pulled a late goal back for Villa, but Spurs were much the better team in the second period.
Reader views (6)
Tottenham should qualify for Europe next season, as there is little in front of them to halt their climb up the the table into a UEFA cup place. However, the financial cost of rectifying Daniel Levy's mistakes is enormous & this seasons inability to sustain their UEFA challenge makes qualification a waste of time. Mind you the Carling & UEFA cups are Tottenham's best chance of winning a second rate trophy. Obviously a top 4 Premiership challenge & a place in the Champions League simply arent possibe until Spurs match the structure of the top four clubs. In the meantime the best they can hope for is to mingle with other second rate clubs such as Aston Villa, Man City, Newcastle & Everton while they keep on dreaming of top four success for another 50 years!
- Rob Gooner, North London
AFTER WATCHING ASTON VILLA AND WEST HAM TONIGHT OUTSIDE THE TOP 4 WITH THE EXPECTION OF EVERTON, MOST OF THE TEAMS ARE LESS THAN AVERAGE,THE WAY SPURS PLAYED ON SUNDAY WAS EXCELLENT. IF THEY DO THAT ON A REGULAR THEY CAN JOIN THE ELITE WHO ARE MILES AHEAD OF ALL THE OTHERS IN THE PREMIERSHIP
- J Windsor, LONDON ENGLAND
It was a good performance, could of been better if spurs passed the way they can...It showed what Villa had youth, but done what we should be doing, putting in some quality crossing, Lennon i hope you were watching..
I have to disagree with my mate in Windsor, its best to get into Uefa Cup, then champions, league..
My friend from the seychelles, Gomes can't win...I don't think he could of got that, but if he missed it, what would we say!
- Adrian, london
A great result at Villa, but next up is Chelsea........
- Ted, London
I AM NOT CONCERNED ABOUT SPURS GETTING IN TO EUROPE ,UNLESS ITS THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, WE NEED TO PLAY LIKE WE DID AGAINST VILLA ON A REGULAR BASIS, WE STILL LOOK NERVOUS IN defence. it was great to get those 3 points and lets get a result against CHELSEA AND MANUTD
- J Windsor, LONDON ENGLAND
Spurs played very good football against Villa and deserved to win.Replacing Zokora by Corluka was a timely move to curtail the threat of Ashley Young. On the critical side,I would like to see a less hesitant Gomes in the goal. We could have avoided Carew's goal if only he had come out early to punch the ball away as he had successfully done before. He did come out but then stopped and hesitated which cost us the goal.Having said this,I still think he is a good keeper but must improve on his weak points especially where judgment is concerned.
- John Adam, VICTORIA, SEYCHELLES
