Spurs in five-way race for the title

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes the quest to win the Premier League title is now a five-horse race.

The north London club have gone eight league games unbeaten and have enjoyed a memorable festive period having recorded back-to-back wins over Aston Villa and Newcastle.

Spurs are now just five points behind leaders Manchester United and can move back into the top four if they manage to beat Fulham at White Hart Lane on New Year’s Day.

Redknapp has no doubts that his squad have the quality to challenge for the title, but knows they will face stiff competition from United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal if they are to come out on top.

“Liverpool could come with a run but you do see five teams fighting for the top four,” Redknapp said.

“The players have done great and have been fantastic. It has been a good run for us and looks to me like there are five teams pushing for the Champions League places and we are right amongst that. That’s where we want to be and even higher if we can.”

“We’re on a good run. Last year we had the pressure of getting into the Champions League and we coped with that.”

“Winning the title is very difficult but we’re there, it’s open, it’s the most open championship for years. Everyone is finding it hard this year.”

William Gallas will return against Fulham having missed the last three weeks with a hamstring injury, but Younes Kaboul and Jermain Defoe are ruled out through suspension.

And although Redknapp admits he is happy with the squad at his disposal, he revealed he has been told by chairman Daniel Levy he has money to spend in the January transfer window if he wants to bring in some big-name players.

The Tottenham manager has been linked with moves for Scott Parker and David Beckham, but he insists he will only do business in the market if the players are better than the ones he has already got.

“We have good players getting better. Bale and Modric have been incredible and we have got Van der Vaart now,” Redknapp said. “Those players are not for sale. So the club is going forward all the time.”

“If we found the right player the owner would like me to spend his money and buy somebody who could make the difference.”

Fri 31 December, 2010