Tottenham 2 - 1 West Brom

Two late goals from Robbie Keane - including his 50th Premiership strike for the club - gave Tottenham a 2-1 win against West Brom and kept Spurs on course for a Champions League place next season.

Keane fired home his 50th in the 67th minute to cancel out a first-half goal from West Brom defender Curtis Davies.

But Albion's hopes of a point were wrecked two minutes from time when Jermain Defoe charged down Tomasz Kuszczak's clearance.

The Albion 'keeper then sent Defoe crashing for a penalty which Keane converted.

Tottenham had struggled to find any chinks in Albion's defence during a lacklustre opening to the game.

Neither side could find the necessary attacking guile although it was Bryan Robson's side who enjoyed more of the possession.

The first shot of the game arrived in the 12th minute but Nathan Ellington's effort from 25 yards failed to trouble Tottenham's England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

Spurs coach Martin Jol had paired England striker Defoe with Keane in attack for the second successive game but neither player enjoyed the kind of service they thrive on.

Spurs were subsequently unable to apply any realistic pressure on Albion's defence.

Most of the action was at the opposite end with Jonathan Greening causing the Spurs defence some anxious moments with a determined run into the penalty area which brought the visitors a corner.

Spurs managed to clear the danger momentarily but Albion still pressed forward in search of an opening goal.

In the 20th minute Ellington won a free-kick 25 yards out and Spurs paid the price for their poor start when Albion skipper Curtis Davies rose to head home Greening's perfectly-flighted cross.

It was the perfect tonic for struggling Albion and they continued to give Spurs much to think about as the home side found it difficult to find any rhythm.

Defoe was largely anonymous alongside Keane as Spurs failed to trouble Kuszczak in the opening 25 minutes.

In the 31st minute Greening whipped over a left-wing cross for Kanu to head towards the top corner.

However, the former Arsenal striker's header was collected easily by Robinson.

Moments later Greening was shown the yellow card for handball but Albion were still in control.

Defoe wasted another fine chance to level the scores but he wanted one turn too many inside the penalty area and Albion's defence crowded him out.

In the 39th minute though it was Albion 'keeper Kuszczak who thwarted Defoe as the England striker turned and hit a marvellous rising drive towards the top corner.

The Albion 'keeper was able to push the ball around the right-hand upright as Spurs threatened to increase the pressure on their opponents.

But despite Defoe's efforts, Spurs were still second best as the first half was brought to a close although Aaron Lennon brought another fine save from Kuszczak a minute before the break.

Tottenham were still unable to apply any real pressure on an Albion defence marshalled superbly by Davies and Steve Watson.

Spurs, who had managed just two shots of any note in the first period, namely long-range efforts from Defoe and Lennon, made no changes at the interval.

Despite having more of the possession from the re-start a 20-yard drive from Jermaine Jenas in the 55th minute was the best they could muster.

At the opposite end, Kanu sent a shot fizzing over the bar before Jol decided to introduce Mido into the action in the 59th minute in place of full-back Stephen Kelly.

The change almost brought instant success for Spurs as Mido sent a shot across the face of the goal which ran agonisingly wide of the far post.

But the breakthrough finally arrived in the 67th minute when Keane got on the end of a fine pass from Michael Carrick to lift the ball over the advancing Kuszczak and into the net for the equaliser.

It was the perfect boost for Jol's side who were in danger of losing ground in the race for fourth place in the Barclays Premiership.

Keane's strike forced Albion onto the attack and they piled on the pressure in search of another goal but found Tottenham's defence in a resolute mood for a change.

Keane's strike was his 50th Premiership goal for the Londoners but it sparked Albion into life and they put the Spurs defence under increasing pressure in a bid to snatch a vital winner.

But it was Spurs who scored in the most bizarre of fashions in the 88th minute.

Kuszczak's clearance was charged down by Defoe and the Albion 'keeper then hauled him down for a penalty which Keane converted for the winner.

Birmingham 0 - 2 Tottenham

Aaron Lennon scored his first goal for Tottenham to help conquer their away-day blues and keep them on course for a Champions League spot.

Robbie Keane added the second - his 11th goal of the campaign - to ensure Martin Jol's side moved back above Arsenal into fourth place in the Premiership.

The 2-0 defeat piled on more misery for Birmingham, who remain third from bottom but are now level on points with Portsmouth after their win over weakened West Ham.

Jermain Defoe, restored to the Spurs starting line-up in place of the injured Mido, impressed in front of watching England head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson and was unlucky not to put his name on the score-sheet.

Tottenham's push for a place in Europe has been blighted by their form away from White Hart Lane and they had collected only one point from their previous four away games.

But they look to have the quality to sustain their challenge, although they came up against a much-improved Birmingham, particularly in the opening 45 minutes.

There was little to choose between the sides in that initial period, with Nicky Butt and Damien Johnson making their presence felt for the home side in midfield.

But Spurs stamped their authority on proceedings in the second 45 minutes, with Jermaine Jenas and Michael Carrick, other contenders for Eriksson's World Cup squad, making their mark in midfield. Michael Dawson also impressed at the heart of the Spurs defence.

Tottenham were first on the offensive and Stephen Kelly's through-ball for Defoe was only just over-hit as it ran through to Blues keeper Maik Taylor.

A fine piece of skill by Keane took him past Blues skipper Kenny Cunningham, but, after reaching the by-line, his low centre was cut out by Taylor.

Tottenham dominated the early stages and Taylor was again called into action to cling onto a low free-kick from Michael Carrick which went through the defensive wall after Lennon had been brought down by Jamie Clapham.

But Birmingham weathered the early storm and their first chance fell to DJ Campbell, whose low shot was deflected through to Spurs keeper Paul Robinson.

Dawson got a vital touch on a low cross from Emile Heskey, which deflected it away from the lunge of the onrushing Campbell when he looked certain to score.

Jermaine Pennant's mazy run threatened to cause problems, but he elected to chip the ball in the direction of Heskey rather than shoot and the danger was averted.

A Heskey flick-on almost picked out the run of Campbell, but Kelly was alert to the situation and shepherded the ball back to Robinson, while Lee was well positioned to deal with Lazaridis' cross.

The home side were more than holding their own, but their Achilles heel this season has been a lack of fire-power and, when a Clapham ball played in Heskey, he miscontrolled and the ball ran through to Robinson.

Spurs failed to deal with an inswinging corner from Pennant and there was a scramble, before Robinson smothered an attempt from a narrow angle by Heskey.

But in first half injury-time Mario Melchiot had to make a vital block to deny Keane at close range from Jermaine Jenas' cross.

Tottenham started to take control after the break and City keeper Maik Taylor had to turn a rising shot from Defoe over the bar after he had seized onto Keane's pass.

The visitors appealed in vain for a penalty when television replays suggested a goal-bound shot from Dawson struck the arm of Butt, but referee Uriah Rennie waved play on.

Blues were forced into a substitution after 57 minutes when Heskey limped out of the action to be replaced by Mikael Forssell.

Defoe turned past Cunningham to create a half chance, but his shot flew across the face of goal.

Cunningham, back in the home side after a groin injury, was struggling to contain the pace of Defoe and was yellow-carded for holding him back.

A misplaced back-pass from Johnson fell into the path of Defoe. but Martin Taylor was alert to the danger and tidied up effectively.

Martin Taylor then made his presence felt at the other end of the pitch when his looping header from Pennant's corner was turned over the bar by Robinson.

But after 65 minutes Lennon scored his first goal for Tottenham since his summer move from Leeds.

Defoe was the creator, shrugging off the challenge of Melchiot and Cunningham before sending over a low cross which found its way to Lennon on the far side of the area.

The England under-21 international had time to cut the ball back onto his left foot before sending a low drive past Maik Taylor into the corner of the net.

The Blues fans decided Melchiot was the villain of the peace and booed the ex-Chelsea player every time he touched the ball after the goal.

Keane made sure of the points for Tottenham with 13 minutes remaining when he converted Jenas' inch-perfect pass.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce hit out at the reaction of fans towards defender Mario Melchiot after Tottenham sent the Blues closer to relegation from the Barclays Premiership.

City supporters blamed Melchiot for the first goal from Tottenham midfielder Aaron Lennon in his side's 2-0 victory - which keeps them on course for a Champions League place.

Melchiot tried to shepherd the ball out for a throw-in but was dispossessed by Jermain Defoe, who then crossed for Lennon to break the deadlock midway through the second half.

Former Chelsea defender Melchiot was greeted with a course of boos every time he touched the ball during the final 20 minutes of the game which saw Robbie Keane grab the second goal and earn Spurs their first away win in five games.

Bruce said: 'You don't make mistakes intentionally. Mario knows he should have done better and that bit of indecision has cost us badly.

'He has set unbelievably high standards, especially last season, he has been hampered this season by a couple of injuries and hasn't reached the same standards.

'He has bore the brunt of the fans' frustration which is disappointing but I am sure he will get over it.'

Birmingham remain third from bottom but are now level on points with Portsmouth who defeated West Ham 4-2 at Upton Park.

Hammers boss Alan Pardew left out several first team players because of their FA Cup tie with Manchester City on Monday.

Bruce has no gripes with Pardew, believing the Football Association are to blame for a situation which sees the four quarter-final ties played over four days next week.

He said: 'I could understand why Alan Pardew has done what he has done because he has to play two games in 48 hours.

'I believe the FA are to blame. If we can't play all the games at a weekend, surely we could have played them all on a Wednesday to give everyone a fair chance.

'Managers have to do their best for their respective clubs and West Ham, if they make six changes, have not got the strength in depth like the big teams such as Chelsea.'

Tottenham boss Martin Jol praised the performances of his younger players as they moved back into fourth spot in the race for a Champions League spot.

He said: 'In the first half we were a bit sloppy but we knew if we didn't concede a goal that maybe Birmingham would get a bit tired in the second half.

'We knew we had the speed up front to cause them problems and that is exactly what happened in the second half.

'I was particularly pleased with my younger players. Jermaine Jenas did awfully well, Aaron Lennon showed great composure for his goal and was dangerous to the final whistle while Michael Dawson is a young centre-half who looked very experienced and as far as I am concerned, is second to none.

'Jermain Defoe also showed great strength of character for the first goal and that is what we ask from our players.'

Jol believes Tottenham have already made significant progress this season irrespective of what may happen in the next two months.

He said: 'Last year, we ended up with 52 points. We are on 52 points already now this season and it shows the great progress we have made.

'As regards the Champions League, all we can do is focus on our own matches. We knew before tonight's game that all the other sides had won.

'It's not nice to play so late because we knew all the results. We knew we had to get the three points and we responded in the right way.'

Chelsea 2 - 1 Tottenham

William Gallas fired Chelsea three points closer to the Barclays Premiership title with a stoppage-time winner to sink Spurs.

Gallas scored a screamer in the 92nd minute to give the Blues the points after Michael Essien's first Chelsea goal gave the Blues an early lead - Jermaine Jenas levelling on the stroke of half-time.

The champions edged ahead after an uncharacteristic slip from Spurs midfielder Michael Carrick, who put his defence under pressure when he misjudged a pass and Shaun Wright-Phillips nipped in to steal the ball.

• 'We're buzzing again'

The England winger sped into the box and cut a low cross into Essien's path. The Ghanaian midfielder made no mistake after fluffing an earlier chance, tucking a right-footer inside the far post.

Spurs grabbed the equaliser out of nowhere, seconds before the break.

Wright-Phillips conceded a free-kick with an unnecessary foul on Lee Young-Pyo and Carrick slanted his cross high into the Chelsea area where Michael Dawson beat Robert Huth in the air. The ball bounced in the goalmouth and Jenas reacted first, pouncing to poke the ball past Petr Cech from close range.

Spurs almost snatched the lead, 12 minutes from time, when Ledley King's long pass sent Jenas in on goal but his finish was weak.

But it was Chelsea who finished the stronger and England keeper Paul Robinson had to make a stunning fingertip save to deny substitute Didier Drogba as time appeared to be running out for the hosts.

Robinson, however, could nothing about the winner as Gallas crashed a fierce shot home from the edge of the area to spark mass celebrations from his team-mates and the jubilant Stamford Bridge supporters.

• Chelsea buzzing again

William Gallas was delighted to finish the week with a victory as Chelsea overcame their Champions League disappointment with a last-gasp win against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

Gallas struck in stoppage time, cutting in from the left and sending his shot into Paul Robinson's top corner to help erase the memory of losing to Barcelona on aggregate in midweek.

The game appeared to be heading towards a draw, with Jermaine Jenas cancelling out Michael Essien's opener in the first half.

Gallas told Prem Plus: 'It was important to win that game. At Barcelona we were very sad and now we think only about the Premiership.

'Tottenham played very well, they came here to win but it wasn't easy for them.'

Skipper John Terry added: 'From a bad week we are now buzzing, the double is still on and we've got a great chance.'

Of Gallas' spectacular strike, Terry added: 'I don't know where it came from. As soon as it left his boot it was in.

'We were disappointed in the week and to get a win in the last minute, we'll take it.'

Spurs coach Chris Hughton said: 'It was heartbreaking but we are still upbeat about fourth place.

'There's nine games to go and it's the first time we've been in this position at this stage of the season.

'We've well aware that this is a difficult place to come but we are upbeat about the performance.

'We started very bright, did well on the counter-attack and, in the second half, we looked more solid and coped with them fairly well.

'We were up against real quality. We came away to the best team in the country but most people would say that we deserved something from the game.'

Tottenham 3 - 2 Blackburn

Robbie Keane celebrated the end of a perfect week by firing a brace as Tottenham edged Blackburn in a pulsating Barclays Premiership encounter at White Hart Lane.

The 25-year-old marksman was unveiled as the new Republic of Ireland skipper in midweek and he followed the good news up by signing a new four-year contract with Spurs on Friday.

His first strike was a magnificent solo effort which he created out of nothing and finished with ruthless ease, while he displayed his predatory instincts for number two.

Controversy shrouded both goals with Blackburn claiming they should have had the throw-in which preceded the opener and replays suggested Keane handled the ball before hitting the second.

But given the week he was having, it came as little surprise when fortune favoured him, and his finishing justified his inclusion in the starting line-up ahead of Jermain Defoe.

Keane was deployed alongside Mido, who is hoping to agree a new contract himself at White Hart Lane with his spell on loan from Roma set to expire in the summer.

• 'We played them off the park'

The Egyptian striker did his cause no harm by scoring the 70th-minute winner in a result which strengthens Spurs' grip on fourth place in the Premiership.

Martin Jol's side had to battle hard for victory and defeat was tough on Blackburn, who arrived in north London on the back of four successive defeats but looked anything but a team having trouble on the road.

They controlled the match for long spells with strikes from Florent Sinama Pongolle and Craig Bellamy pegging back a 2-0 deficit, but Mido pounced to snatch the points.

A weak effort from Bellamy had been the only meaningful action from a dull opening but a piece of individual brilliance from Keane lit up the match in the ninth minute.

Keane, with limited space to work in, picked up a throw-in from Mido close to the byline and some sublime footwork swept him past Robbie Savage and Andy Todd and into a scoring position.

From six yards out he still had Brad Friedel to beat but he managed to stab his shot past the outstretched arms of the American.

Savage bundled out a dangerous cross from Mido after Michael Carrick had released the Egyptian hitman and Friedel nervously cleared again after 25 minutes.

Spurs doubled their lead with Keane this time showing his predatory instincts.

A handball by Emerton inches outside the area saw Mido step up and take a free-kick which he curled around the wall and towards the bottom right corner.

Friedel brilliantly saved the effort but the ball fell into the path of Keane who took one step forward before prodding home.

Blackburn reduced the deficit two minutes before half-time, however, when Bellamy finished a superb run - initiated by Emerton - with a perfect cross to Sinama Pongolle who was on target with his diving header.

Blackburn struck a deserved equaliser in the 68th minute when an attempted clearance by Ledley King fell to Sinama Pongolle, who squared the ball to the onrushing Bellamy and the Welshman finished clinically.

But there was a fresh twist just two minutes later when Spurs regained the lead, Lennon making ground down the right before slipping the ball through a static defence to Mido, who made no mistake.

Blackburn's determination to notch the equaliser meant they could never relax and Spurs fans were forced to endure a nail-biting finish before the final whistle sounded.

• Hughes 'devastated'

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes revealed his players were 'devastated' after refereeing blunders helped Tottenham to a 3-2 victory at White Hart Lane.

'We're scratching our heads and can't believe we've lost that game. We conceded two poor goals,' he said. 'We aren't happy with the assistant referee on the first one as we didn't get the decision on the throw-in.

'Mido touched it three times before the ball went out. I can understand if he touched it once and the referee missed it, but not three times.

'The second goal was an obvious handball and we were 2-0 down, which was frustrating because we were the better side even at that point.

'Once we'd got our noses back in the second half I thought we were magnificent. We were still on a high from getting the equaliser and they scored from what was their only chance of the second half.

'Their three goals were poor but I can't criticise our players in any respect as they were absolutely magnificent. We've come to play a side fourth in the league and played them off the park.

'They were fortunate to get the three points. I didn't see the Stalteri handball but I've heard it was a blatant handball.

'You'd hope the officials would get decisions like that. These decisions affected the result.

'It sums up our day as we haven't got any reward. The best team lost - we made a good team look very ordinary.

'The players are devastated because they've given everything in the second half. We put on a performance that a lot of people felt we weren't capable of.'

Tottenham boss Martin Jol agreed that Blackburn, who trail the north London club by one place and six points in the Premiership, deserved to win and revealed his admiration for the impact made by Bellamy.

'Blackburn are a marvellous team. They beat Manchester United twice and Arsenal once. We know they are a great team with great balance,' he said.

'But they still have 43 points and we have 49, so what can I say? I understand their disappointment.

'I could saw we were very lucky with the handball from Paul Stalteri. But it's always the same in football. Bellamy caught us at a bad moment just before half-time which is always a bad time to concede.

'Bellamy is one of the top three strikers in the country at running the channels. He's lively and a fantastic player.

'They took the game to us and played better than we did. But we have players like Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe and that's why we've been getting lots of points.'