Tottenham suffered yet more Champions League heartache as they missed out on a top-four berth to Arsenal despite yet another wonder goal from Gareth Bale.

Referee Andre Marriner denied Tottenham two clear penalties before Bale fired home his 26th goal of the season right at the death to give the home side a 1-0 win over Sunderland.

Villas-Boas and his backroom staff were incensed at Marriner's decisions. Sebastian Larsson bundled Bale over in the box, but the 23-year-old was booked for diving, while Carlos Cuellar clearly handled Clint Dempsey's shot in the second half but the referee's whistle stayed silent.

Despite Bale's heroics, Tottenham will have to settle for a place in the Europa League again next season, as Arsenal's 1-0 win at Newcastle ensured that they finished in fourth position.

Viewed with a cold heart, it could be said that Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has failed this season. He was set the target of Champions League qualification but his team have fallen short.

After beating Arsenal here on March 3 Spurs held a seven-point gap over their biggest rivals, but a run of five wins in their remaining nine games allowed Arsenal to finish above their rivals for the 18th consecutive season.