Spurs win the fight for fourth

Tottenham Hotspur 1 FOUR years after an ill-timed bout of food poisoning cost them a place amongst Europe’s elite, Peter Crouch’s late winner ensured Tottenham will get their chance to tuck into the Champions League next season.

Crouch settled what was dubbed the £50m match eight minutes from time when he was on hand to turn home the loose ball after Marton Fulop had only been able to push Younes Kaboul’s cross straight to the striker, who was lurking just five yards out.

It was just reward for an incredible season for Harry Redknapp and his men, who may yet pip old rivals Arsenal to a place in the main draw.

At the very least they will be in the final qualifier, with a route to riches clearly mapped out.

For Manchester City, the world’s richest club, their failed attempt may just be a brief delay on an inexorable rise through the game.

But in a season that promised so much and will end with only a Europa League place for comfort, it was further proof for chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak and owner Sheikh Mansour that money alone cannot build a successful football team.

With so much riding on the encounter, so astutely placed at such a delicate stage of the season, it hardly needed the added spice of a potential legal battle over Redknapp’s complaints about City’s conduct in their pursuit of Craig Bellamy.

The lawyers will almost certainly not be called upon but both sides knew that Liverpool’s collapse had left the path marked Champions League wide open for them.

Mathematics were hardly required. Tottenham, a point in front at kick-off, are due to visit Burnley on the final day, so barring some unexpected heroics from Brian Laws’ relegation fodder, City knew they needed a win.