Tottenham 2-1 Man City: UEFA spot for SpursPA
Tottenham booked their place in the UEFA Cup after Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov fired them to a 2-1 victory over Manchester City at White Hart Lane.
No mystery illness ravaging the squad and no final-day disappointment as there was a year ago when Arsenal pipped them to fourth, but City certainly gave Spurs the jitters.
In fact, Paul Robinson produced two saves of the highest quality to keep Spurs ahead, although he could do nothing to prevent Emile Mpenza pulling a goal back before the break.
Coupled with Everton's result at Chelsea, Spurs' win means they are 'best of the rest' again, as boss Martin Jol likes to put it.
Being fifth again was a bonus. A top-seven place was the priority and they now have back-to-back European campaigns for the first time in more than 20 years.
Jol may have been questioned by some fans but his first two full seasons has seen them finish fifth both times. This season has seen his strikers score more than 60 goals between them, although Jermain Defoe missed the chance to add to his tally when he missed a late penalty.
Needing just a point for UEFA Cup qualification, Spurs were given the perfect start when they took the lead in the 10th minute through Keane, who was making his 200th appearance for the club.
Berbatov started the move with a trademark flick into the path of Ledley King. The ball was eventually worked to Jermaine Jenas, who lofted a throughball for Keane to volley home through the legs of Andreas Isaksson.
Protests of offside were waved away as Keane slid on his stomach in front of the fans following his 22nd of the season, his most successful at the club.
Although Spurs looked in control, they needed Robinson to produce a save-of-the-season contender to keep them ahead.
Darius Vassell, who had earlier picked up a booking for leaving a foot in on Didier Zokora, looked certain to equalise but Robinson threw himself to his left to deny the City striker.
The England goalkeeper has endured some criticism this season but even the City fans gave him an ovation for his stunning save.
If City felt their chance had gone, their disappointment was compounded by Sylvain Distin picking up a knock and being replaced by Dietmar Hamann, leading to a reshuffle at the back for the visitors.
Their new-look defence conceded a second goal in the 32nd minute as Berbatov took his tally to 23 in his rookie season in the Premiership.
The Bulgaria striker received the ball from an Aaron Lennon dummy before trying to send the young winger through, only to see Nedum Onouha block. Berbatov picked up the loose ball and fired in at the near post.
Spurs, however, have had a knack of making it difficult for themselves this season. City pulled one back five minutes before the break when Mpenza steered home Hamann's cross with a precise header.
Mpenza then forced Robinson into a full-stretch save before Michael Johnson headed over the rebound, causing flashbacks to City's last win over Spurs when they came from 3-0 down in 2004.
There was certainly an element of nervousness to Spurs in the second half as they looked to avoid final-day disappointment for a second year running.
Robinson was called into action again in the 57th minute to keep them ahead. DaMarcus Beasley's cross was met by Mpenza, whose header was dropping inside the upright until Robinson tipped it over the crossbar. City were threatening with their direct style, sparking groans from the home support. However, centre-backs King and Michael Dawson stemmed some of the pressure, while Berbatov treated fans to some of his silky touches.
Defoe was brought on and had the chance to restore Spurs' two-goal cushion from the penalty spot, only for Isaksson to save his effort.
Richard Dunne gave away the penalty for his foul on Zokora, but was not dismissed.
Stuart Pearce believes he is the right man to take Manchester City forward but insists he will prove himself at another club if he loses his job.
Pearce admits there will be inevitable questions over his future if takeover speculation leads to new owners at the club.
City finished 14th in the Barclays Premiership following their 2-1 defeat to Tottenham at White Hart Lane and their indifferent form has led to Pearce's position looking uncertain at times.
However, he is already focused on bringing players, a striker in particular, to Eastlands in the summer.
'It's football management, I don't sit and worry about my future,' he said. 'When there is talk of takeover situations, if that does happen new owners may want to bring their own men in.
'It's not overly concerning for me, I think I'm the right man to take the club forward.
'The club, whether it's me or another man, needs investment. We've invested less than any team over the last three years.'
City finished a place higher than last season but with a point fewer.
Pearce is determined to improve the club.
'Whether it is me or not is out of my hands. I hope it's me, I've done a reasonable job but I know our shortcomings and plan to address them this summer,' he added.
'If it isn't me, I'll move on and manage elsewhere and prove myself elsewhere.'
No mystery illness ravaging the squad and no final-day disappointment as there was a year ago when Arsenal pipped them to fourth, but City certainly gave Spurs the jitters.
In fact, Paul Robinson produced two saves of the highest quality to keep Spurs ahead, although he could do nothing to prevent Emile Mpenza pulling a goal back before the break.
Coupled with Everton's result at Chelsea, Spurs' win means they are 'best of the rest' again, as boss Martin Jol likes to put it.
Being fifth again was a bonus. A top-seven place was the priority and they now have back-to-back European campaigns for the first time in more than 20 years.
Jol may have been questioned by some fans but his first two full seasons has seen them finish fifth both times. This season has seen his strikers score more than 60 goals between them, although Jermain Defoe missed the chance to add to his tally when he missed a late penalty.
Needing just a point for UEFA Cup qualification, Spurs were given the perfect start when they took the lead in the 10th minute through Keane, who was making his 200th appearance for the club.
Berbatov started the move with a trademark flick into the path of Ledley King. The ball was eventually worked to Jermaine Jenas, who lofted a throughball for Keane to volley home through the legs of Andreas Isaksson.
Protests of offside were waved away as Keane slid on his stomach in front of the fans following his 22nd of the season, his most successful at the club.
Although Spurs looked in control, they needed Robinson to produce a save-of-the-season contender to keep them ahead.
Darius Vassell, who had earlier picked up a booking for leaving a foot in on Didier Zokora, looked certain to equalise but Robinson threw himself to his left to deny the City striker.
The England goalkeeper has endured some criticism this season but even the City fans gave him an ovation for his stunning save.
If City felt their chance had gone, their disappointment was compounded by Sylvain Distin picking up a knock and being replaced by Dietmar Hamann, leading to a reshuffle at the back for the visitors.
Their new-look defence conceded a second goal in the 32nd minute as Berbatov took his tally to 23 in his rookie season in the Premiership.
The Bulgaria striker received the ball from an Aaron Lennon dummy before trying to send the young winger through, only to see Nedum Onouha block. Berbatov picked up the loose ball and fired in at the near post.
Spurs, however, have had a knack of making it difficult for themselves this season. City pulled one back five minutes before the break when Mpenza steered home Hamann's cross with a precise header.
Mpenza then forced Robinson into a full-stretch save before Michael Johnson headed over the rebound, causing flashbacks to City's last win over Spurs when they came from 3-0 down in 2004.
There was certainly an element of nervousness to Spurs in the second half as they looked to avoid final-day disappointment for a second year running.
Robinson was called into action again in the 57th minute to keep them ahead. DaMarcus Beasley's cross was met by Mpenza, whose header was dropping inside the upright until Robinson tipped it over the crossbar. City were threatening with their direct style, sparking groans from the home support. However, centre-backs King and Michael Dawson stemmed some of the pressure, while Berbatov treated fans to some of his silky touches.
Defoe was brought on and had the chance to restore Spurs' two-goal cushion from the penalty spot, only for Isaksson to save his effort.
Richard Dunne gave away the penalty for his foul on Zokora, but was not dismissed.
Stuart Pearce believes he is the right man to take Manchester City forward but insists he will prove himself at another club if he loses his job.
Pearce admits there will be inevitable questions over his future if takeover speculation leads to new owners at the club.
City finished 14th in the Barclays Premiership following their 2-1 defeat to Tottenham at White Hart Lane and their indifferent form has led to Pearce's position looking uncertain at times.
However, he is already focused on bringing players, a striker in particular, to Eastlands in the summer.
'It's football management, I don't sit and worry about my future,' he said. 'When there is talk of takeover situations, if that does happen new owners may want to bring their own men in.
'It's not overly concerning for me, I think I'm the right man to take the club forward.
'The club, whether it's me or another man, needs investment. We've invested less than any team over the last three years.'
City finished a place higher than last season but with a point fewer.
Pearce is determined to improve the club.
'Whether it is me or not is out of my hands. I hope it's me, I've done a reasonable job but I know our shortcomings and plan to address them this summer,' he added.
'If it isn't me, I'll move on and manage elsewhere and prove myself elsewhere.'
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