Sports

Monday April 17, 2006

Spurs manager Jol upbeat on quest for spot in Europe

LIVERPOOL: Tottenham manager Martin Jol was in relaxed mood as his side looked to keep their bid for Champions League football next season on course against Manchester United today.

Spurs returned to White Hart Lane still four points clear of north London rivals Arsenal in the race for the fourth and final Champions League place after a 1-0 win away to Everton.

They now face a United side whose hopes of taking the Premiership title were all but extinguished by Friday's shock goalless draw against Sunderland, a result that saw the Black Cats relegated, at Old Trafford.

Spurs were worthy winners at Goodison Park on Saturday but a lack of lethal finishing might have proved costly.

And it is unlikely that United, who themselves were badly off-target against Sunderland, will fail to capitalise on openings for the second match in a row.

The form of Sir Alex Ferguson's men all adds to the intrigue in the build-up to what could be a decisive week for Spurs, who visit Arsenal this coming Saturday in what could effectively constitute a Champions League play-off.

“We've got to play Manchester United on Monday and if we still have a gap next Saturday, fine,” said Jol.

“If not, well have to get a result at Arsenal. If we maintain focus, that is a great thing, and that is why we are where we are. Maybe we are almost there,” he added after Spurs's win on Merseyside suggested they could yet outlast their arch-rivals.

Whatever else it turns out to be, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Monday's match will be a great footballing occasion.

“Tottenham have a great playing surface and good atmopshere. It's two big clubs and it should be a terrific match.”

Someone whom United will need to watch closely is Tottenham's teenage winger Aaron Lennon, who starred in front of a Goodison Park crowd featuring England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Robbie Keane may have scored the game's only goal but it was the performance of Lennon that stood out.

“He is 19 tomorrow (Sunday) which is very young,” said Jol. “You can never compare him to (Shaun) Wright-Phillips, for example, who scored 10 or 11 goals for Man City (last season). If he starts doing that, and he is capable, then it is different.

“He is very influential for us. Sometimes he comes up with the goods, sometimes we don't pass it to him or he is not influential. But I don't think there is another talent in the whole Premiership like him, not at that age.

“It is exciting to work with him but it is exciting to work with all our players. We saw some marvellous performances today.”

Jermaine Jenas, Ledley King, Jermain Defoe and Michael Carrick – as well as England keeper Paul Robinson – all must have caught the eye of Eriksson, with striker Defoe, in particular, presumably edging closer to a place in the squad for June's World Cup Finals in Germany on the strength of this performance.

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